Cinema as Theological Partner: Advent in Alfonso Cuarón’s Children of Men

18+
With Jamie Gibson
​
What is the future of humanity in the face of declining ecological conditions, credibility of institutions, and empire? In a world where communication increasingly comes in the form of audio-visual media, what does it mean to respond to a movie theologically? Film is both a valuable resource and dialogue partner, capable of tapping into popular culture and conveying deep spiritual ideas. In Alfonso Cuarón’s Children of Men (2006), the director seeks to describe the cause and effects of a politically- and socially-disenchanted society. Set in 2027, the film’s dystopian image of mass infertility is eerily similar to our present-day. In this workshop, the facilitator will exegete Children of Men and convey the film’s plot as an analogy for the Advent narrative of the New Testament. Using the film as an allegory for contemporary social despair, the facilitator will explore ways in which people of faith can re-enchant their spiritual and secular communities. This workshop is advised for those 18 years and older, given the sensitive content of the film discussed.

About the Facilitator

Jamie Gibson is a graduate student at Emmanuel College in Toronto. Jamie has worked as an activist and as a spiritual caregiver to activists, he is a songwriter and performer, he is a student-minister in the United Church of Canada. Jamie’s interests include outreach to non-religious people and developing a message of justice and hope in the midst of the decline of empire, the credibility of institutions, and ecological conditions.