A Whole Life in Twelve Movies
A Cinematic Journey to a Deeper Spirituality
Where to Purchase
About
Come to the movies with two celebrated spirituality writers--American poet and author Kathleen Norris and Irish storyteller and peace activist Gareth Higgins.
In A Whole Life in Twelve Movies, Norris and Higgins invite readers along as they discuss acclaimed movies that can help us better understand our lives--from before birth to death and beyond.
Featuring 12 films, including 2001: A Space Odyssey, Malcolm X, and Babette's Feast, this book is perfect for individuals or groups to watch and discuss movies over the course of a year. Each chapter recommends additional films and includes discussion questions ideally suited for churches, small groups, and book clubs.
As readers watch and read, they will journey through the human life cycle and explore themes of existence, goodness, belonging, vocation, identity, success, generosity, dealing with conflict, and what it means to be human. The book outlines a cinematic path toward a deeper spirituality and a more meaningful life for people across the faith spectrum and seekers alike. It includes a foreword by James Martin, SJ.
Contents
Foreword by Father James Martin, SJ
Introduction
1. Waiting to Be Born
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
2. Childhood
What Maisie Knew (2012)
3. Community
The Seventh Fire (2015) and Smoke Signals (1998)
4. The Breaking and Remaking of Self
The Fisher King (1991)
5. Meaning in the Ordinary
Paterson (2016)
6. Vocation
Malcolm X (1992)
7. Relationships
Make Way for Tomorrow (1937) and Love Is Strange (2014)
8. Overcoming Success
Faces Places (2017)
9. Generosity
Babette's Feast (1987)
10. Transforming Conflict
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
11. Death and Beyond
After Life (1998)
12. Waiting in Silence
Into Great Silence (2006)
Epilogue: It's Still a Beautiful Day
For Further Viewing
Endorsements
"As a fan of Kathleen Norris's Cloister Walk and Dakota, I loved reading her honest engagement with various films in this book. Higgins and Norris add to a conversation that the filmmaker has begun and draw from their experience of life to give these humble films more depth. I wish there was more writing about films like it. I feel my perspective about the world widening through it."
Lee Isaac Chung, director of Minari and Twisters
"Reading this beautiful book is like having an endlessly fascinating conversation with two friends about film, when those two friends are always wise, thoughtful, and funny and have inspiring things to say about the movies they love. . . . For me, the first thing I want to do after watching a powerful film is see what others have to say about it. At heart, it's a desire for conversation, for learning, and for being challenged. This book is an answer to those common desires."
Father James Martin, SJ (from the foreword)
The Authors
-
Kathleen Norris
Kathleen Norris is an award-winning poet and the author of five New York Times bestsellers, including The Cloister Walk and Dakota: A Spiritual Geography. She speaks regularly at colleges, churches, and teaching hospitals, and is on the...
Continue reading about Kathleen Norris
-
Gareth Higgins
Gareth Higgins (PhD, Queen's University Belfast) is the cofounder of multiple spirituality festivals, including Wild Goose, The Porch Gathering, and Movies and Meaning. He edits The Porch Magazine and is the author of How Not to Be Afraid....
Continue reading about Gareth Higgins