Theology and Survival Movies: An Orthodox Christian Perspective

by Ioan Buteanu

Overview

This book provides an innovative analysis of the survival movie genre from an Orthodox Christian anthropological perspective. Grounded in the Orthodox tradition, the approach builds from the first chapter of Genesis where man is described as made in the ‘image’ and after the ‘likeness’ of God. It offers a nuanced theological exploration of the concept of the survival movie and examines a number of significant cinematic creations, illustrating how issues of survival intersect romantic, Western, science fiction and war films. The author reflects on how survival movies offer a path for the study of human nature given they depict people in crisis situations where they may reveal their true characters. As well as discussing the role of a ‘limit situation’ as a narrative element, the book highlights the spiritual aspect of survival and points to the common hope in survival movies for something more than biological survival. It is valuable reading for scholars working in the field of religion and film.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032412276
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	10/09/2024
Series:	Routledge Studies in Religion and Film
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Ioan Buteanu received a PhD from Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. He teaches Orthodox Christianity and has written poetry, prose and screenplays.

Table of Contents

Introduction

1 Research methodologies. The fundaments of anthropology and film studies from Christian perspectives

2 Survival movies defined through genre elements

3 A historical overview

4 The survival genre as a mixed genre

5 Survival and biology (physical survival)

6 Survival and communion (surviving together, as a community)

7 Survival and morality

8 Survival and transformation (spiritual survival)

Conclusions. How the image of God is seen in those who passed through limit situations?