Reel - Discussion questions (episode 17)

North Country

The film North Country focuses on the mistreatment of women at an iron mine in Northern Minnesota. These women are treated as second class citizens and experience prejudice, harassment and objectification at the hands of their male co-workers. To make matters worse, Josey and other female miners are shunned by the members of the small mining community who refuse to acknowledge the ugly reality of life at the mines.

· “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1: 9). In what ways can this passage be applied to the situation faced by the women in North Country?

· Do you find this Scripture comforting? Have you ever faced situation in your life when have been able to draw strength from this Scripture? Can you apply this passage to a situation that you’re currently facing?

The Gospel of John

Consider Henry Cusick’s portrayal of Jesus in The Gospel of John. It has been said that Cusick’s Jesus is ‘the most intensely human-divine characterisation . . . yet portrayed on screen . . . He may have one foot in Heaven, but His other foot is firmly planted on the earth, and Cusick never diminishes the humanness of Jesus in this film.”

· What benefits does a characterisation such as Cusick’s, emphasising the humanity of Jesus, have over other portrayals of Jesus as an otherworldly character confused about His role on Earth?

Ghost

While it is not a ‘Christian’ film, Ghost explores the topic of spirituality and touches on the themes of ‘good vs. evil’ and ‘life after death’. The film also portrays Heaven and Hell as very real places and establishes a link between the choices we make on earth and the place that we spend eternity.

· Do you believe that Ghost is an effective means of presenting the issue of ‘life after death’ to a secular audience? What misconceptions about ‘life after death’ (e.g., going to Heaven or Hell) could viewers have after watching Ghost?