Openness to Belonging Through Film: Transforming Intolerance by Embracing the Other

We must learn to live together as brothers and sisters or perish together as fools. — Martin Luther King, Jr.

Through mindful viewing of eight feature films — today’s vehicles of myth — participants will open their hearts to the quality of belonging with and to others that is so important in our time. We will trace how cinema’s greatest directors have depicted intolerance and ways to embrace the other through compassion, love, and recognition of our interdependence as humans. Your cinematic repertoire will include films directed by D.W. Griffith, Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Kon Ichikawa, Kenneth Branagh, Celine Song, and more. 

Employing methods developed over the course of 28 film seminars co-led by Francis Lu and Brother David Steindl-Rast, this seminar will include mindful film viewing, contemplative reflection, and group interactions focused on each participant’s unique experience of these carefully curated films. As Joseph Campbell taught, “the images of myths are reflections of the spiritual and depth potentialities of every one of us …Through contemplating those, we evoke their powers in our own lives to operate through ourselves.” 

The viewing experience will be supported by 4K Blu-Ray video projection and a surround sound of seven loudspeakers. 

5.5 CE Credits for Health Professionals are available for an additional $35 fee payable to the workshop leader. Click here for details. 

Dr. Lu personally recommends, but does not require, that participants use N95 masks during the workshop sessions, which will be provided. 

For further information about the seminar, please contact Francis Lu, MD, at francislumd@gmail.com