What happens when a famous story is retold to a new audience? The retelling is usually a blend of old and new. Whether done consciously or not, the act of retelling is often also an act of adaptation. Do the transformations inherent in retelling also take place when the famous tale is a Bible story?

In this ten-session course, we will learn how Hollywood retells a Bible story. We will watch five films and analyze them.

In the course of our study, we will note a fascinating synthesis. The biblical original, the long history of biblical engagement by students of different faiths, the conventions of modern-day cinematic storytelling and the creativity of the artists involved in the film all interact to produce a distinctively “modern midrash,” speaking to generations of film audiences, from the 1920’s to the present.

This 10-week course will be held at the Simon Family JCC on the following Tuesdays from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM. 

November 28 – Film Screening: Prince of Egypt
December 5 – Prince of Egypt class discussion
December 12 – Film Screening: Noah
January 2 – Noah class discussion
January 9 – Film Screening Exodus: Gods and Kings
January 16 – Exodus: Gods and Kings class discussion 

$60 members / $75 guests