Film & the Common Good Class

FILM & THE COMMON GOOD CLASS
February 13-16, 2020
with Jeremy Fackenthal, PhD

The class fulfills several purposes: 1) to increase our ability to understand the artistic merits in film; 2) to explore ways of utilizing films to probe issues of faith; 3) to serve as a jury for the 19^th Annual Common Good International Film Festival, deciding which of the ten feature films best meets the criterion of “Celebrating Films that Promote the Common Good.”

Criteria for Evaluating Whitehead Films

Exhibits artistic excellence in screenplay, music, and filming technique.
Promotes the common good, which is defined as a society in which persons and communities care for one another’s well-being.
Exhibits sensitivity to the human situation, promoting the dignity of all.
Fosters ecological responsibility as appropriate to the film’s content.
Cultivates a realistic hope of creative transformation.

Class Schedule

Thursday, February 13

10:00 Orientation to class, Screening of final film
12:00 Break for lunch
1:30 Discussion of selection criteria and how to function as a jury.
2:00 Discussion
3:00 Class break
3:30 Discussion
4:45 Class ends. Reconvene at 5:30 in Haddon Conference Room for champagne reception
5:30 Champagne reception
6:00 Opening Banquet
7:30 Screening of opening short, followed by feature

Friday February 14

9:00 Class discussion
10:00 Screening of short film, and feature
1:00 Discussion of feature.
2:00 Screening of short film, and feature
4:00 Discussion of feature
5:00 Class break
7:00 Screening of short film, followed by feature

Saturday, February 15

Sunday, February 16

1:00 Screening of short film, followed by feature
3:15 Screening of short film, followed by feature
5:00 Supper Meeting. Discussion of three films and determination of which film receives the Whitehead Award.
7:00 Screening of short film, followed by feature
9:00 Announcement of Whitehead Award.