Editorial Board | Echo
The foundations of the Christian liberal arts requires its students to watch three out of four films and one play.
"The main purpose is to use what we think is an important medium in our world: film," Jeff Cramer, associate professor of computer science and engineering said. "We think it's a very important part of the arts, and just to choose a few films that easily fit with the big ideas of the course and help you in those films to continue exploring the questions of human flourishing. What's good, beautiful and true? What does this have to do with the liberal arts? What does it mean to be human?"
The seniors of the Editorial staff watched these films to see how we engage with them now. When we were freshmen, our choices were "Tree of Life," "Life is Beautiful," "Doubt" and "The Truman Show." Now the films are "Tree of Life," "Life is Beautiful," "Gattaca" and "Last Year at The Crossing." While the films have changed, we found that the movies shown to the freshman serve the same purpose as the ones did before.
"Tree of Life" sparked much discussion among us. We agreed that the movie displayed God's majesty and human insignificance, and it showcased God's love through human examples. Some members believe the movie was too long and potentially confusing. However, the confusion of the plot by some incited constructive conversation as we tried to grapple with the larger symbolism. The movie dips into philosophy, and we believe watching as a freshman might be hit or miss when it comes to enjoyment. As seniors, we see it's value to inspire conversation not only about topics of faith, but also finding the courage to say, "Hey, a lot of this is going over my head. Can you help?"
"It is an intricately woven masterpiece-an immersive artistic experience, not a mere movie-that records a search for who God is and how that impacts our relationships to each other and creation," Kevin Diller, associate professor of philosophy and religion said.
"Life is Beautiful" was hard to watch as freshmen, and we still had a hard time reliving something so heavy. As freshmen, we found little value. After four years of classes, conversations, international trips and growth in our worldviews, we are reminded that we are all human. This film serves as a reminder of all we have learned during our times here at Taylor: that life is messy, family and loved ones are important and history matters. As a part of the next generation entering the world, this movie serves as a reminder of the great responsibility we have as educated Christ-followers. While freshmen might see this movie as cheesy, we would implore them to think about the themes of the movie and start conversations about the themes with those they trust.
Though it has been 21 years since the release of "Gattaca" in 1997, the film's questions about the moral boundaries of science, the perseverance of humanity, the complexity of relationships and the effects of discrimination are relevant for the modern day. With solid writing and editing, the film is more than just engaging. It inspires the exact kind of critical and imaginative thinking foundations encourages. It was not one of the films the seniors of the editorial board watched as freshmen, but we feel it is a good addition.
"Last Year at The Crossing" is a film made by John and Kathy Bruner, associate professor of media communication at Taylor University. We did not watch this as freshmen, but we wish we had. The film highlights high schooler students in Grant County who are in troubled situations and seek a high school diploma at The Crossing, an alternative school program. There are successes and failures within the program, and it brought us to tears by the end. We think this film is so important for Taylor freshmen and all Taylor students to see because the people in this film live in Grant County. The need is not only overseas or in a metropolitan area, it is right here.
While some of the movies changed and others didn't, we seniors agree that these films are as meaningful, if not more, in our lives now as they were four years ago. As we enter the world, the ideas of these movies will continue to press us into a fuller sense of shalom with the world around us.
