These Catholics don't give up films for Lent

In the past, Rev. David Mickiewicz wasn't exactly an enthusiastic supporter of Hollywood. Scatological comedies, dark thrillers and apocalyptic action movies, he said, don't appeal to his tastes.

Instead, he preferred "rich stories" that engage the audience with such themes as love, forgiveness and freedom. Those films have messages, he believes, that "dovetail" with Christianity and provide a springboard for Christian dialogue with the secular world.

That's why Father Mickiewicz and parishioners from St. Stanislaus Church in Amsterdam, where he is pastor, are gathering weekly for an unconventional Lenten activity: viewing popular films through the eyes of faith.

Dialogue

"As a Church, we're foolish if we don't engage with contemporary society," said Father Mickiewicz. "We have to dialogue. You can't tell science and the media: 'You're wrong,' and go our own way."

The films include a number of genres: a comedy, "Groundhog Day;" a drama, "Chocolat;" a western, "Unforgiven;" a foreign film, "Babette's Feast;" and a children's cartoon, "Finding Nemo."

The discussion points are taken from "Movies That Matter," by Rev. Richard Leonard, SJ.

All of the films, said Father Mickiewicz, contain aspects that mesh with Christian life and thought, and can be seen as having more value than simple entertainment.

One more time

Parishioners met recently to discuss "Groundhog Day," a comedy in which a man finds himself repeating a single day over and over again.

On one level, it can be seen as a comedy, the priest explained; on another, the main character's journey is a story about the importance of conversion, a theme that is woven through the readings and prayers of Lent.

"Until he recognizes his 'shadow side,' he doesn't change," said Father Mickiewicz. "Every day is a brand-new opportunity for conversion. Every single day, he learns something, and he uses it the next day."

Themes

Other themes in the series include:

* freedom and responsibility in "Finding Nemo;"

* what Lent is really about, how people change and questions of tradition in "Chocolat"; and

* sin, forgiveness and atonement in "Unforgiven."

Just because those are not overtly religious films, he explained, doesn't mean that there aren't spiritual themes in them.

"When you get other people's perspectives, you come to see more in each of these films," said Father Mickiewicz. "Things click. We might come to look at some of these films with a different eye. It doesn't mean that every film out there is worth it, but we can come to see some Christian themes, whether intentional or not."

(The films are being shown Mondays at 2:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 6. They are followed by a discussion. Popcorn is provided. Call 842-2771.)

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