The challenge of the silver screen : : an analysis of the cinematic portraits of Jesus, Rama, Buddha and Muhammad / / by Freek L. Bakker.

• Superior document: Studies in religion and the arts, v. 1
• Author: Bakker, Freek L., 1951-
• Year of Publication: 2009
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Series: Studies in religion and the arts ; v. 1.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (290 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

In 1897 – only two years after the invention of film – the first feature film about Jesus appeared. This and other films about Jesus became examples for and an inspiration for films on other important religious figures like Rama, Buddha and Muhammad. Although religious leaders did not always approve of these films, they did find a ready audience among believers. This book explores these films and looks at how these films dealt with the fundamental question of portraying an individual thought to have either divine status or a very special and unique status among human beings. This book will thus benefit not only students of religious film but also those studying the portrayal of central religious figures in the contemporary world.

Table of Contents

Jesus. A short history -- Analysis -- Historical background -- Many images, one Jesus -- Rama. The films -- Historical background -- The importance of seeing in Hinduism -- The modern Ramayana Kathas -- Buddha. The films -- Historical background -- Resistance to depicting Buddha in film -- Thanks to the Hindus and the Westerners -- Muhammad. The film itself -- The film's relationship to the Muslim tradition -- Conclusions -- Jesus restyled. The Indian Jesus films -- The South African Jesus film -- The Jesus film of the African-American Christians -- Siding with powerless and victims of discrimination -- Some conclusions. Between tradition and creativity : the importance of the audience -- Film, narration modes and subjectivity -- The positions of the actors playing the sacred figures -- The sacred environment -- Outside the cultural context of the religions -- Between the void, images and films : again a key position for the audience.