Film: An inconvenient truth
Nov. 27th, 2007 09:31 amReasons for watching it: It seems to be a big part of the memetic landscape these days, and I care about the subject matter.
Circumstances of watching it: It was being shown at a meeting of the Jewish - Christian dialogue group, which I do want to get into, so it seemed like a good opportunity. The group was so recognizable as an interfaith group; the late middle-aged Christians radiating respectability, the rather older Jews of a particular generation plus a smattering of younger idealists (it's heartening that there are at least some of those). I felt right at home.
It wasn't very useful as an interfaith event; the film plus the faffing about getting the equipment set up took so long that there was only 10 minutes left for discussion. And the discussion consisted of a Catholic environmentalist telling us how several German churches have raised money to fit solar panels to their buildings, and our emeritus rabbi telling us about the principles of not destroying and not hurting living creatures. Oh, and a question from the floor which wasn't really a question, but a Survivor rambling on about how he was unable to forgive a certain Nazi officer who killed several of his friends in front of him. This stuff is important, sure, but it was absolutely off topic and there wasn't anything useful anyone could say.
I wish we could have discussed the film, or at least had a more in depth discussion of environmental issues in Judaism and Christianity. So I'm hoping you guys will have something to say about the review anyway.
Verdict: An inconvenient truth is almost too rhetorically polished.
( detailed review )
Circumstances of watching it: It was being shown at a meeting of the Jewish - Christian dialogue group, which I do want to get into, so it seemed like a good opportunity. The group was so recognizable as an interfaith group; the late middle-aged Christians radiating respectability, the rather older Jews of a particular generation plus a smattering of younger idealists (it's heartening that there are at least some of those). I felt right at home.
It wasn't very useful as an interfaith event; the film plus the faffing about getting the equipment set up took so long that there was only 10 minutes left for discussion. And the discussion consisted of a Catholic environmentalist telling us how several German churches have raised money to fit solar panels to their buildings, and our emeritus rabbi telling us about the principles of not destroying and not hurting living creatures. Oh, and a question from the floor which wasn't really a question, but a Survivor rambling on about how he was unable to forgive a certain Nazi officer who killed several of his friends in front of him. This stuff is important, sure, but it was absolutely off topic and there wasn't anything useful anyone could say.
I wish we could have discussed the film, or at least had a more in depth discussion of environmental issues in Judaism and Christianity. So I'm hoping you guys will have something to say about the review anyway.
Verdict: An inconvenient truth is almost too rhetorically polished.
( detailed review )
