introduction

The west has seen tremendous and measurable advancements in technology over the past century. Unfortunately, these advances have occurred within a spiritual vacuum and as a culture we have developed a large and dangerous blind spot. We have evolved, technologically, so much faster than we have spiritually that we face a very clear and present danger; either we will spontaneously destroy each other with weapons capable of the ultimate horror, or we will continue to die a slow spiritual death, falling deeper into the empty void of egoism and material idolatry.

In A Crisis of Faith, noted theologians and authors address the state of "spiritual crisis" the west finds itself in. Because we are addressing this issue from a western perspective, there will be Judeo-Christian overtones. However, the video does not feel "religious" as it attempts to move beyond religious casting and address our topic from a universally spiritual perspective.

unique style

 A Crisis of Faith has an edge to it, as well as a sense of urgency. The film attempts to move the viewer out of the intellect and create an experience through the use of powerful imagery and soundtrack as a backdrop for our speakers.

Similar to Portrait of a Radical, A Crisis of Faith relies heavily on imagery to help our speakers tell the story. Much of the footage was shot in New York City with an emphasis on highlighting the disparity between the "have" and the "have nots". We will draw from the mythic imagery of some of the master impressionists such as Chagall, Picasso, Van Gogh, Munch and others.

The continuous stream of imagery will come to life with the music that lurks behind it. Mirroring the subject and rhythm of the film, the soundtrack is powerful, diverse, challenging and sometimes disturbing. Drawing from the work of The Doors, Gabrielle Roth & the Mirrors, Jimi Hendrix, Jean-Luc Ponti and others, A Crisis of Faith attempts to draw the viewer into a space where they can experience the depths of the struggle we are in.

relevant topics

The film will lays out in 10 short sections. Each section begins with a music change and be launched by a short, thought-provoking quote. These sections will attempt to answer some of the following questions:

How have the two major shifts in our material world effected our culture - the industrial revolution and the technology and information revolution?

Greed and violence - where are we now and where do we appear to be headed?

Human rights - have we really dealt with the core issues? Are we stagnating?

Have our traditional institutions failed (social, political, economic, and religious)?

How have our different mechanisms for coping, evolving, connecting and transcending played out during this time; psychology, religion and mythology?

How has our diminished ability to read and appreciate sacred scripture and sacred mythology effected us?

What is our best chance to evolve individually and as a society/culture?