The God in Film Podcast

Constantine – What does the bible say about suicide?

TW: Discussion of suicide.

 

In this episode, we're looking at 'Constantine' the supernatural thriller starring Keanu Reeves & Rachel Weisz. We'll be looking at the idea of God and the devil making a wager, the spear of destiny, and christian attitudes to suicide. 

Finding the Faith in the Film begins at 26:30.

If you need to skip the discussion on suicide, it is between 48:01 and 1:13:52.

Organisations who can help if you're struggling with thoughts of suicide or mental health:

Samaritans: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone), email jo@samaritans.org or visit some branches in person. You can also call the Samaritans Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day).

 

SANEline. If you're experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline on 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm every day).

 

National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK. Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 689 5652 (open 24/7).

 

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). You can call the CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) if you are struggling and need to talk. Or if you prefer not to speak on the phone, you could try the CALM webchat service.

 

Shout. If you would prefer not to talk but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258. Shout offers a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in crisis and need immediate help.

 

The Mix. If you're under 25, you can call The Mix on 0808 808 4994 (3pm–midnight every day), request support by email using this form on The Mix website or use their crisis text messenger service.

 

Papyrus HOPELINEUK. If you're under 35 and struggling with suicidal feelings, or concerned about a young person who might be struggling, you can call Papyrus HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141 (weekdays 10am-10pm, weekends 2pm-10pm and bank holidays 2pm–10pm), email pat@papyrus-uk.org or text 07786 209 697.

 

Nightline. If you're a student, you can look on the Nightline website to see if your university or college offers a night-time listening service. Nightline phone operators are all students too.

 

Switchboard. If you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, you can call Switchboard on 0300 330 0630 (10am–10pm every day), email chris@switchboard.lgbt or use their webchat service. Phone operators all identify as LGBT+.

 

C.A.L.L. If you live in Wales, you can call the Community Advice and Listening Line (C.A.L.L.) on 0800 132 737 (open 24/7) or you can text 'help' followed by a question to 81066

 

The Omen – What was the ‘Satanic Panic’?

In our second episode of our horror mini-series, we look at 'The Omen', the 1976 end times horror directed by Richard Donner. We'll be looking at the Biblical origins of the figure of the anti-christ, the significance of 666 and some of the ramifications of the satanic panic. 

 

Finding the faith in the film section begins at 23:37.

 

T/W - PLEASE NOTE: Whilst we don't go into it in any depth on the subject, we talk about the hysteria surrounding child-abuse. If anything related to that is tough for you, please skip between 37:58 and 50:42.

The Exorcist – What does a real exorcism look like?

For our brand new mini-series on horror, we’ll be kicking off with ‘The Exorcist’. The seminal 1973 horror film directed by William Friedkin and written by William Peter Blatty. We’re going to take a look at what a real exorcism looks like with our special guest, Tim Hillier, who works as part of the deliverance team for the Diocese of Guildford, the biblical examples of exorcism, the sketchiness of Ouija boards and the possible misuse of exorcisms.

 

Finding the Faith in the film begins at 38:17 (it’s a bit of a long one this episode guys!)

Blade Runner – What is Plato’s Cave?

For the 40^th anniversary of its original release, we take a look at ‘Bladerunner’, Ridley Scott’s 1982 film that’s become a touchstone of postmodern cinema. We'll be looking at the fires of orc, Plato's Cave and Roy Batty's last act. We're joined by Andy Godfrey, film critic for Sorted Magazine and the Good News newspaper, who brings some fantastic insights.

 

Finding the Faith in the Film begins at 20:10.

The Passion of The Christ – What are the alternatives to the resurrection?

For our Easter special of ‘God In Film’, we'll be looking at Mel Gibson’s 2004 cinematic masterpiece; ‘The Passion of The Christ’. In our longest ever episode, we're joined by Louisa Jane Smith from the R.E Podcast to talk to us about the historicity of Jesus, we address the issue of racist a** Melly Gibson, and we talk about alternative theories to the resurrection. Phil questions his atheism, and we come down hard on spooky weirdos.

Our Magdalene short film can be found here: https://youtu.be/Y_0j6o9Qsv4

Finding the FACT in the Film begins at: 43:17 (I told you this episode was long!).

Christmas special - A Muppets Christmas Carol – Did Dickens secularise Christmas?

For our 2021 Christmas special, we’ll be looking at ‘A Muppets Christmas Carol’, the definitive version of Charles Dickens’ Christmas classic. We analyse the representations of the Ghosts of Christmas Present & Yet To Come, how Christmas might just have gotten just a teensy bit secularised over the years and why Dickens might be responsible for that! With our fantastic guest Julia Hall to tell us about how the film came to be, this is definitely what you want to be listening to while you’re driving home for Christmas!

 

Finding the Faith in the Film section begins at 21:15.

Fleabag – What does real celibacy look like? (NSFW)

For the final episode of our special series on TV shows, we’ll be looking at Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s seminal comedy, ‘Fleabag’. We’ll be looking at the corrosive effects of ‘purity culture’ on 90s kids and the practicalities of being a celibate virgin on the dating scene well into your thirties. We interview Emma Watkins, a fellow Fleabag superfan and are joined for hosting duties by Claire Gough. Whilst this is a clean podcast, we don't recommend listening to this one with children, or your nan. Apologies for my sound not being great in the latter half of the pod, I gave the good microphone to Claire! 

Finding the Faith in the Film section begins at 17:11.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer & Angel – Can you earn your redemption?

For the penultimate episode of our special series on TV shows, Giles & Phil look at Buffy The Vampire Slayer and its spinoff show; Angel. We interview our Buffy expert, Julia Hall and in the Finding the faith in the film section, we’ll be looking at the conspicuous use of miracles, what they mean for the Buffyverse, and why trying to earn your redemption might be a futile endeavour. 

 

Finding the Faith in the Film begins at 22:53.

Bonus Episode: The Media Mag Podcast

This week, Giles & Phil are taking a brake from your regularly scheduled listening to introduce their new show; 'The Media Mag Podcast'. 

In our first episode, we look at 'postmodernism', a topic that has confused many a student (& teacher). We start at the horror of the First World War and end at the genre-defying WandaVision. Theory Drop starts at: 1:43.
We also have 'Two Minute Terminology Time', where Phil has to explain a key piece of film and media jargon in two minutes or less. This week, we're looking at 'chiaroscuro'. Two Minute Terminology Time starts at: 23:06.

Why not give us listen and if you really like it, maybe a subscribe?

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – How to tell if your church is a cult?

This week we explore Deep Space Nine, the best Star Trek series (I said what I said, fight me haters). We speak to Stefan Austin, our Star Trek expert. We look at the language of science and faith and ask; how can you tell if your church is a cult?

Finding the Faith in the Film begins at 17:48.