PROGRAM - Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
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PROGRAM 2021
2021 FAITH AND FILM FESTIVAL
PROGRAM
WELCOME TO THE SECOND ANNUAL
FAITH AND FILM FESTIVAL!
Together, we’ll explore Christian themes in
contemporary cinema and develop eyes to see
film in new ways. We look forward to discussing
the films together. We’ll hear from theologians,
pastors and film critics; and engage in challenging
discussions about the ways in which the themes of ACCESSING THE MOVIES
redemption, reconciliation, mercy, grace and more
are embedded in film. All films should be viewed BEFORE the festival except
the short films scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28,
This year, Faith and Film Festival highlights include: and 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29; and the
After-Hours Group Watch and Discussion set for 8:30
• “Backstage Interview” with Paul Walter Hauser,
p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28.
who appeared in the Oscar-winning films “I,
Tonya” and “BlacKkKlansman” and as the title
IMDb links to each of the movies is provided as a courtesy
character in Clint Eastwood’s “Richard Jewell”
below.
• “Viewing Film through the Lens of Faith” with
Rev. Bill Cwirla and Rev. Ted Giese, hosts of the
podcast “Bill and Ted Watch Movies”
• Best Movie Memory/Experience Contest
• Short film viewing of “Change for a Dollar”
with award-winning director Sharon Wright
Thank you for joining us in our journey as we
explore Christian themes in contemporary cinema.
2021 FAITH AND FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM 2
KEY
SCHEDULE * Films watched in session together
THURSDAY | JAN. 28
THURSDAY ** Films watched on your own before the festival
Noon-12:30 p.m. Ten Meter Tower
Virtual Greeting Heather Choate Davis
Erika Bennett, Heather Choate Davis and 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Feature Length Films **
Rev. Jake Wampfler
Hugo
12:30-1:30 p.m. Dr. David Lewis and Geordie Denholm
Bill and Ted Watch Movies: Viewing Film through Age Out
the Lens of Faith Dr. Phil Hohle
Rev. Bill Cwirla and Rev. Ted Giese
Stranger than Fiction
1:45-2:45 p.m. | Feature Length Films Discussion ** Heather Choate Davis
Logan Annihilation
Dr. David Lewis Rev. Jake Wampfler
A River Runs Through It
Dr. Timothy Saleska and Dr. Travis Scholl 6:45-7:45 p.m.
Backstage Interview
Eighth Grade Paul Walter Hauser
Abby Olcese
7:45-8:15 p.m.
True Grit (2010)
Rev. Ted Giese Best Movie Memory/Experience Contest
3-4:15 p.m. | Short Length Films * 8:30-11 p.m.
After-Hours Group Watch and Discussion *
The Neighbor’s Window
Dr. Michael Zeigler The Witch
Rev. Jake Wampfler, Abby Olcese
Late Afternoon Rev. Bill Cwirla and Rev. Ted Giese
Josh Salzberg
2021 FAITH AND FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM 3
SCHEDULE
FRIDAY | JAN. 29
9:30-10 a.m. 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Morning Devotions Featured Short Film with Director*
Heather Choate Davis Change for a Dollar
Dale Ward, Sharon Wright
10-11 a.m. | Feature Length Films **
Backstage Interview (repeat session)
Captain Fantastic
Paul Walter Hauser
Jake Youmans
1:45-2:45 p.m. | Feature Length Films **
A River Runs Through It
Dr. Timothy Saleska and Hugo
Dr. Travis Scholl Dr. David Lewis and Geordie Denholm
Age Out
There Will Be Blood
Dr. Phil Hohle
Josh Salzberg
Eighth Grade
Stranger than Fiction
Abby Olcese
Heather Choate Davis
Annihilation
11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Rev. Jake Wampfler
Best Documentary Short Subject **
St. Louis Superman 3-4 p.m. | Features and Documentaries **
Rev. Jake Wampfler Waves
Rev. Jake Wampfler
Heroin(e)
Dr. Timothy Saleska Heroin(e)
Dr. Timothy Saleska
The White Helmets
Rev. Harrison Parker The White Helmets
Rev. Harrison Parker
Period. End of Sentence.
Heather Choate Davis and Dick Johnson is Dead
Dr. Gillian Bond Abby Olcese
2021 FAITH AND FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM 4
SCHEDULE THE FILMS
FRIDAY | JAN. 29
4:30-5:30 p.m. | Feature Length Films **
LOGAN (2017)
Logan
Dr. David Lewis Moderator: Dr. David Lewis
Whiplash In a future where mutants are
Heather Choate Davis nearly extinct, an elderly and
weary Logan leads a quiet
There Will Be Blood
life. But when Laura, a mutant
Josh Salzberg
child pursued by scientists,
True Grit (2010) comes to him for help, he
Rev. Ted Giese must get her to safety.
Directed by James Mangold.
6:30-7:45 p.m.
Featured Short Film with Director (repeat
session) *
Change for a Dollar
Dale Ward and Sharon Wright A RIVER RUNS
THROUGH IT (1992)
7:45-9 p.m.
Moderators: Dr. Timothy
2022 Short Film Competition Saleska and Dr. Travis Scholl
Announcement, Closing Thoughts
and Doxology The story about two sons
of a stern minister — one
reserved, one rebellious —
growing up in rural Montana
while devoted to fly fishing.
Directed by Robert Redford.
2021 FAITH AND FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM 5
THE FILMS
TRUE GRIT (2010)
Moderator: Rev. Ted Giese
A stubborn teenager enlists the
help of a tough U.S. marshal
to track down her father’s
murderer. Directed by Joel and
Ethan Coen.
EIGHTH GRADE (2018) THE NEIGHBOR’S
Moderator: Abby Olcese
WINDOW (2019)
An introverted teenage girl Moderator: Dr. Michael Zeigler
tries to survive the last week The story of a middle aged
of her disastrous eighth grade woman with small children
year before leaving to start whose life is shaken up
high school. Directed by Bo when two free-spirited
Burnham.
20-somethings move in
across the street. Directed by
Marshall Curry.
2021 FAITH AND FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM 6
THE FILMS
TEN METER TOWER
(2016)
Moderator: Heather Choate Davis
A 10 meter tower. People who
have never been up there have
to choose whether to jump or
climb down. The situation itself
highlights a dilemma: to weigh
the instinctive fear of taking the
LATE AFTERNOON step out against the humiliation STRANGER THAN FICTION
(2019) of having to climb down. (2006)
Directed by Axel Danielson and
Moderator: Josh Salzberg Maximilien van Aertryck. Moderator: Heather Choate Davis
An elderly woman drifts back I.R.S. auditor Harold Crick
through her memories. She suddenly finds himself the
exists between two states, the subject of narration only he can
past and the present. Directed hear: narration that begins to
by Louise Bagnall. affect his entire life, from his
work, to his love-interest, to his
death. Directed by Marc Forster.
2021 FAITH AND FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM 7
THE FILMS
ANNIHILATION (2018)
Moderator: Rev. Jake Wampfler
A biologist signs up for a
dangerous, secret expedition
into a mysterious zone where
the laws of nature don’t apply.
Directed by Alex Garland.
AGE OUT (2019) HUGO (2011)
Moderator: Dr. Philip Hohle Moderators: Dr. David Lewis and
Geordie Denholm
Fresh out of foster care at
age 18, a young drifter turns In 1931 Paris, an orphan living
to petty crime to survive and in the walls of a train station
discovers an impossible love in gets wrapped up in a mystery
an unlikely friend. Directed by involving his late father and an
A.J. Edwards. automaton. Directed by Martin
Scorsese.
2021 FAITH AND FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM 8
THE FILMS
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
(2016)
Moderator: Jake Youmans
In the forests of the Pacific
Northwest, a father devoted
to raising his six kids with a
rigorous physical and intellectual
education, is forced to leave his
paradise and enter the world,
THE WITCH (2015) challenging his idea of what it THERE WILL BE
means to be a parent. Directed BLOOD (2008)
Moderators: Rev. Jake
Wampfler, Abby Olcese, Rev. by Matt Ross.
Moderator: Josh Salzberg
Bill Cwirla and Rev. Ted Giese
A story of family, religion,
A family in 1630s New England hatred, oil and madness,
is torn apart by the forces of focusing on a turn-of-the-
witchcraft, black magic and century prospector in the
possession. Directed by Robert early days of the business.
Eggers. Directed by Paul Thomas
Anderson.
2021 FAITH AND FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM 9
THE FILMS
PERIOD. END OF
SENTENCE. (2019)
Moderators: Heather Choate
Davis and Dr. Gillian Bond
Indian women fight the stigma
surrounding menstruation and
begin manufacturing sanitary
THE WHITE HELMETS pads. Directed by Rayka ST. LOUIS
(2016) Zehtabchi.
SUPERMAN (2019)
Moderator: Rev. Harrison Parker Moderator: Rev. Jake
Wampfler
As daily airstrikes pound
civilian targets in Syria, a group Rep. Bruce Franks Jr.
of indomitable first responders must overcome personal
risk their lives to rescue victims trauma and political
from the rubble. Directed by obstacles to pass a critical
Orlando von Einsiedel. bill for his community.
Directed by Sami Khan
and Smriti Mundhra.
2021 FAITH AND FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM 10THE FILMS
CHANGE FOR A
DOLLAR (2010)
Moderators: Dale Ward and
director Sharon Wright
Walk in the steps of a man as
he affects the lives of multiple
persons with just one dollar,
proving that it doesn’t take
much to be the change in
HEROIN(E) (2017) someone’s life. Directed by DICK JOHNSON IS
Sharon Wright. DEAD (2020)
Moderator: Dr. Timothy Saleska
Moderator: Abby Olcese
Three women — a fire chief,
a judge and a missionary — As her father nears the end
battle West Virginia’s opioid of his life, filmmaker Kirsten
epidemic. Directed by Elaine Johnson stages his death in
McMillion Sheldon. inventive and comical ways
to help them both face the
inevitable. Directed by Kirsten
Johnson.
2021 FAITH AND FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM 11THE FILMS
WAVES (2019)
Moderator: Rev. Jake Wampfler
Traces the journey of a
suburban family — led
by a well-intentioned but
domineering father — as they
navigate love, forgiveness
and coming together in the
WHIPLASH (2014)
aftermath of a loss. Directed by
Trey Edward Schults. Moderator: Heather Choate Davis
A promising young drummer
enrolls at a cut-throat music
conservatory where his dreams
of greatness are mentored by
an instructor who will stop at
nothing to realize his student’s
potential. Directed by Damien
Chazelle.
2021 FAITH AND FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM 12PRESENTERS/MODERATORS
Erika Bennett, director of Continuing Education at Concordia Geordie Denholm is a Master of Sacred Theology student at
Seminary, has been making things happen in The Lutheran Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. A theater major from Concordia
Church—Missouri Synod entities — at Lutheran Hour Ministries, University Chicago, River Forest, Ill., he grew up on “Star Wars”
Concordia Publishing House and now Concordia Seminary — for (original and prequel: Don’t hate!), Harry Potter (the books are
more than 16 years. Although the idea of Christian themes in better and proud Hufflepuff) and Marvel Cinematic Universe
non-Christian movies was new to her, her passion for lifelong (X-Men first, but then Team Stark). Geordie loves discussing
learning led her to “greenlight” the inaugural Faith and Film Christ imagery in film, often including it in his preaching and
Festival in 2020. teaching, and introducing friends to his favorite film, “The
Silence of the Lambs.”
Dr. Gillian Bond, director of Deaconess Studies at Concordia
Seminary, grew up in England watching biblical epics, James Rev. Ted Giese is lead pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in
Bond and “Star Trek.” She is fascinated by the common themes Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada; co-host of “Bill and Ted Watch
of deliverance and redemption in action movies and science Movies” with Rev. William Cwirla; film reviewer for “The Canadian
fiction, whether they contain Christ figures or point to common Lutheran” (LCC); and regular guest on the syndicated radio talk
cultural misperceptions of salvation. show and podcast “Issues Etc.” He teaches a short-term course
for Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, St. Catharines,
Rev. William “Bill” Cwirla is the senior pastor of Holy Trinity Ontario, called “A Lutheran Approach to Art, Media and Film.” His
Lutheran Church in Hacienda Heights, Calif., and co-host of the lifelong love of film has been honed by theology and the fine arts.
podcast “Bill and Ted Watch Movies,” a conversation on movie
making and watching. He is a featured writer for Higher Things Paul Walter Hauser began his career in the Midwest, performing
Magazine, a contributing editor of Logia, an avid gardener, standup comedy, which led him to Los Angeles to pursue
artisan bread maker, musician, wood worker, lover of fine food comedic acting and writing. In his first few years, he booked
and drink, and movie novice. roles in the popular comedies “Community,” “Key & Peele”
and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” But Paul is equally
Heather Choate Davis is a Los Angeles-based author, speaker, passionate about drama, having worked opposite a range of
composer, creative director and co-creator of the Faith and Film dramatic actors including Adam Driver, Margot Robbie and
Festival. She wrote screenplays long before she read Scripture or Sam Rockwell. Paul was last seen in the Oscar-winning films “I,
earned her Master of Arts in theology from Concordia University, Tonya,” “BlacKkKlansman” and as the titular character in Clint
Irvine, Calif. Her vocation, having come full circle, now includes Eastwood’s “Richard Jewell.” He can currently be seen on Netflix
tearing down walls between the church and the culture with in the series “Kingdom” and “Cobra Kai” as well as Spike Lee’s
projects like these, as well as her newly released album, “Life in latest “Da 5 Bloods.”
the Key of God.”
2021 FAITH AND FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM 13PRESENTERS/MODERATORS
Seth Hinz lives in St. Louis. For 12-plus years, he’s worked in Dr. Timothy Saleska is a professor of Exegetical Theology and
communications within The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod for the dean of Ministerial Formation at Concordia Seminary, St.
churches, schools, universities, districts and national ministries. Louis. He thinks of watching movies as a moral activity that
As a StoryBrand Certified Guide, he works with nonprofits helps us empathize with others, and has a deep appreciation
and entrepreneurs to develop narrative-based messaging and for films that stir us to contemplate the mysteries of grace and
marketing strategies that move people to take action. He grew redemption at work in the world.
up on movies, video games and frozen pizza. Wes Anderson is
his favorite director. Joshua Salzberg, a St. Louis native, got his start as a filmmaker
by working for Oscar-winning directors Ridley Scott and
Dr. Philip Hohle is the author of The Filmmaker’s Prayer and Alexander Payne. He went on to work in editing for film and
Lenses, and a member of the Society for the Cognitive Study of television with credits that include Will Ferrell’s “Step Brothers,”
the Moving Image. He created the course “Cinema and Religion” Adam Sandler’s “Funny People” and Kristen Wiig’s “Welcome
(with Jacob Youmans) at Concordia University Texas, Austin, to Me.” In addition to editing, Salzberg co-produced Demetri
which he now co-leads at the movie-theater-based ACTS Church Martin’s “Dean” and directed the feature documentary, “Walking
Lakeline. He is a professor at the University of Mary Hardin- Man.” Currently, Josh is editing the forthcoming Fox comedy
Baylor. “This Country” and has several original film and TV writing
projects in development.
Dr. David Lewis is assistant professor of Exegetical Theology at
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. His passion for films is captured in Dr. Travis Scholl is managing editor of Seminary Publications
the essay, “Cinema and the American Mind,” (The American Mind at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and the author of Walking the
Meets the Mind of Christ). Having a film festival on campus has Labyrinth. He sometimes wonders if he will ever again witness
long been a dream of his. a film as beautiful as “A River Runs Through It,” which also
happens to be, in his opinion, the only movie that is just slightly
Abby Olcese is the film editor at The Pitch magazine, co-host better than its marvelous book.
of the “Cinemaholics” podcast and a contributor to the “Think
Christian” website and podcast. She also is a freelance writer Rev. Jacob Wampfler is an associate pastor of Shepherd of
on faith, culture and film, with bylines at Sojourners Magazine, the Desert in Scottsdale, Ariz., a co-host of the “Cinema Bros”
Rogerebert.com and /Film. She lives in Kansas City. podcast, an Army veteran, a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
and the co-creator of the Faith and Film Festival. His love for film
Rev. Harrison Parker lives in Whitmore Lake, Mich., and has began as a young movie theater projectionist. He believes that
served as a pastor in Alaska and Michigan. As a kid, he wore out we can see Jesus everywhere, especially in film.
his Betamax by incessantly re-watching “Star Wars” and “Raiders
of the Lost Ark.”
2021 FAITH AND FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM 14PRESENTERS/MODERATORS
Dale Ward began making short films in middle school and
continues his passion for movie making. He was the producer
and executive producer for the Emmy-winning national talk show
“On Main Street,” and currently is the senior media producer at
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in
video/film at Webster University in St. Louis. His other films include
“Ragman,” “Walther,” “500: The Impact of the Reformation Today,”
“There’s Something in the Basement” and “The 2 Sons and Their
Crogzookles.”
Sharon Wright doesn’t consider herself a writer — or a director
for that matter — just a person who had a story to tell, which
she told through “Change for a Dollar.” The short film was shot
in Osawatomie, Kan., for $5,000. Within a few weeks the film
surpassed 2 million views, one of them being from iconic film THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR
critic Roger Ebert who said the film touched him. “Sharon Wright. THE 2021 FAITH AND FILM FESTIVAL!
Remember that name,” Ebert said. It was one of the best moments
of her life.
SAVE THE DATE! OUR THIRD ANNUAL
FAITH AND FILM FESTIVAL IS SET
Jacob Youmans is the director of the director of Christian education FOR JAN. 27-29, 2022.
(DCE) program at Concordia University Texas, Austin. He created,
with Dr. Phil Hohle, the “Cinema and Religion” course almost a
decade ago. Jake is a gifted teacher, speaker, missionary team
leader (he has led and served on mission teams to every continent
except Antarctica) and author of Talking Pictures: How to Turn a
Trip to the Movies into a Mission Trip.
Dr. Michael Zeigler is the 10th Speaker of The Lutheran Hour, the
world’s longest running Christ-centered radio broadcast, and co-
hosts “Speaking of Jesus,” a conversational podcast about life
centered on the story of Jesus. His book, Christian Hope Among
Rivals (2017), explores the power of story to set up, upset and set in
hope. He enjoys watching this power on display in film.
2021 FAITH AND FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM 15PRESENTERS/MODERATORS
801 SEMINARY PLACE, ST. LOUIS, MO 63105 • 314-505-7000 • CSL.EDU
2021 FAITH AND FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM 16
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