Movies About Faith

From Stars: Artur Barcis, Olgierd Lukaszewicz, Olaf Lubaszenko, Aleksander Bardini, starring
Rated TV-MA

Dekalog is a 1989–1990 Polish television drama series directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski for Polish Television. It consists of ten one-hour films, each of which is based on one of the Ten Commandments. The series stars Artur Barcis, Olgierd Lukaszewicz, Olaf Lubaszenko and Aleksander Bardini. The series follows the lives of people in a housing complex in Communist-era Poland. Each story is told with a different perspective and explores the complexity of human emotions and relationships. Through its examination of personal morality, Dekalog poses questions about the meaning of life and faith. While the series touches on political issues, it primarily focuses on the individual human condition. Dekalog was well-received by critics and audiences alike, earning numerous awards, including the 1990 Golden Gate Award at the San Francisco International Film Festival and the International Critics’ Prize at the 1990 Berlin International Film Festival. The series was included in the 2012 Sight & Sound poll of the 250 Greatest Films of All Time.

From Ingmar Bergman, starring Max von Sydow, Gunnar Björnstrand, Bengt Ekerot, Nils Poppe
Rated Not Rated

The Seventh Seal is a 1957 Swedish film directed by Ingmar Bergman and starring Max von Sydow. It is a meditation on death, centering on a medieval knight who, returning from the Crusades, finds himself facing the plague and the Reaper. He challenges Death to a game of chess in a quest to postpone his death, but ultimately, has to accept his fate. Along the way, the knight encounters various characters, including a troupe of traveling actors and a young family, who, through their conversations and experiences, provide insight into the meaning of life and death. Bergman's exploration of faith, doubt and the human condition has made The Seventh Seal a landmark of world cinema.

From Peter Bogdanovich, starring Timothy Bottoms, Jeff Bridges, Cybill Shepherd, Ben Johnson
Rated R

The Last Picture Show is a 1971 American drama film directed by Peter Bogdanovich, and starring Timothy Bottoms, Jeff Bridges, Cybill Shepherd, Ben Johnson, Cloris Leachman, Ellen Burstyn, and Randy Quaid. Set in a small town in Texas in 1951, the film follows the lives of Sonny Crawford (Bottoms) and Duane Jackson (Bridges), two high school seniors who come of age during their senior year. They face the hardships of growing up, such as loss of innocence, loneliness, and the death of loved ones. At the same time, the arrival of a new girl in town (Shepherd) complicates the lives of both boys as they struggle with their own personal issues. The Last Picture Show is a nostalgic look at the struggles of growing up in a small town in the 1950s and the changes that come with growing up.

From Andrei Tarkovsky, starring Margarita Terekhova, Filipp Yankovskiy, Ignat Daniltsev, Oleg Yankovskiy
Rated Not Rated

Mirror (1975) is a deeply personal film by director Andrei Tarkovsky that blends elements of poetry, dreams, and memories to create a unique cinematic experience. The film follows a man, referred to as “The Writer”, as he reflects on his life and struggles to come to terms with his past. Through a series of flashbacks, Tarkovsky takes us on a journey through the Writer’s life, beginning with his childhood, and culminating in his adult years. Along the way, we are introduced to a variety of characters who are tied to the Writer’s past, and whose relationships form the fabric of the narrative. Through these characters, the film explores themes of memory, identity, and nostalgia. Ultimately, Mirror is a film of introspection and reflection, and is as much a poem as it is a film.

From Michael Haneke, starring Christian Friedel, Ernst Jacobi, Leonie Benesch, Ulrich Tukur
Rated R

The White Ribbon is a 2009 drama film set just before World War I. The film follows the inhabitants of a small protestant village in Germany as they grapple with a series of mysterious and unexplained incidents. It is loosely based on a true story of a similar series of events that took place in the same area. As the mysterious incidents increase, the community begins to unravel, leading to a climax that reveals the truth behind the events. The film examines themes such as guilt, repression, and the psychological effects of violence. It received critical acclaim upon its release, and won the Palme d'Or at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.

From Felix van Groeningen, starring Veerle Baetens, Johan Heldenbergh, Nell Cattrysse, Geert Van Rampelberg
Rated Not Rated

The Broken Circle Breakdown is a Belgian drama film written and directed by Felix van Groeningen. The film follows the story of Didier and Elise, a couple in their thirties with a passion for bluegrass music and a love for each other. As their daughter Maybelle is diagnosed with cancer, their relationship is put to the test as they struggle to keep their family together and their faith intact. Through flashbacks, the film depicts the couple's love story, as well as the struggles of Maybelle's illness and the heartache of its inevitable outcome. With powerful performances and an emotional score, The Broken Circle Breakdown is a poignant and moving exploration of love, loss and the human capacity for resilience in the face of tragedy.

From Paul Verhoeven, starring Carice van Houten, Sebastian Koch, Thom Hoffman, Halina Reijn
Rated R

Black Book is a 2006 Dutch-German war thriller film directed by Paul Verhoeven and written by Gerard Soeteman. The story follows a young Jewish woman, Rachel Stein (Carice van Houten), who joins the Dutch Resistance in World War II after her family is killed in the Auschwitz concentration camp. Rachel assumes the name Ellis de Vries and goes undercover within the Nazi regime as an employee in the house of powerful Nazi officer, Ludwig Müntze (Sebastian Koch). As she works her way up the ranks, Rachel discovers a sadistic plot by the SS to assassinate high-ranking members of the Dutch Resistance. With the help of her fellow resistance fighters, Rachel works to disrupt the plan and avenge the death of her family. The film features intense action sequences and a powerful story of courage and survival in the face of overwhelming odds.

From Ziad Doueiri, starring Adel Karam, Kamel El Basha, Camille Salameh, Diamand Bou Abboud
Rated R

The Insult is a 2017 Lebanese drama directed by Ziad Doueiri. It follows the story of a Lebanese Christian man named Yasser, who is insulted by a Palestinian refugee who works as a contractor. After their dispute escalates, Yasser takes the refugee to court. What starts out as a minor altercation between two men turns into a public trial, which quickly turns into a media circus and a national debate. The film focuses on the complexities of the legal system in Lebanon, as well as the complex and tense relationship between two different communities. It examines the power of words, the need for justice and the importance of compromise. The film earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film in 2018.

From Stephen Frears, starring Judi Dench, Steve Coogan, Sophie Kennedy Clark, Mare Winningham
Rated PG-13

Philomena is a 2013 British drama film directed by Stephen Frears and written by Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope. Based on the 2009 book The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by journalist Martin Sixsmith, the film stars Judi Dench as Philomena, an Irish woman who searches for her long-lost son who was adopted in the U.S. fifty years earlier. With the help of Sixsmith (played by Coogan), Philomena embarks on a journey to America to find her son and learn the truth behind his disappearance. Along the way, the two develop a close relationship, and Philomena learns to come to terms with the choices made by her and those around her so many years ago.

From John Patrick Shanley, starring Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Viola Davis
Rated PG-13

Doubt is a 2008 American drama film adapted by John Patrick Shanley from his Pulitzer Prize-winning 2004 stage play of the same name. The film stars Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, and Viola Davis. Set in a Bronx Catholic school in 1964, the film centers on a strict nun, Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Streep), who challenges the priest of the school, Father Brendan Flynn (Hoffman) on suspicion of improper behavior towards a student. The film also follows the story of a young, progressive nun, Sister James (Adams), who struggles with her own faith. The film is about doubt and its consequences, as Sister Aloysius and Father Flynn battle each other in an escalating battle of wills, with Sister James caught in the middle. The film ultimately culminates in an uncertain ending with no conclusive resolution.

From Alan Parker, starring Brad Davis, Irene Miracle, Bo Hopkins, Paolo Bonacelli
Rated R

Midnight Express is a 1978 film directed by Alan Parker and starring Brad Davis, John Hurt, and Randy Quaid. The story follows Billy Hayes, a young American college student who is arrested in Turkey for attempting to smuggle hashish out of the country. He is sent to a brutal Turkish prison where he must fight for survival and find a way out. With the help of his devoted girlfriend, Billy embarks on a desperate and dangerous mission of escape, eventually making it to the Greek border with the help of another inmate. The film is a powerful story of human resilience in the face of adversity, and its powerful score, cinematography, and powerful performances have made it one of the most memorable films of the 1970s.

From Gus Van Sant, starring Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch, Diego Luna
Rated R

Milk is a 2008 biographical drama film which tells the story of gay rights activist and politician Harvey Milk. It stars Sean Penn as Milk, who was the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in California. The film chronicles Milk's life from his 40th birthday on, when he moved from New York City to San Francisco, until his assassination in 1978. Along the way, Milk forms a supportive relationship with his boyfriend Scott Smith (James Franco) and works with other activists to fight for the rights of the LGBT community in San Francisco. Milk's success is met with opposition from the conservative political establishment and the newly formed Citizens for Moral Values, as well as from Milk's former lover, Dan White (Josh Brolin). Milk eventually becomes a symbol of hope for LGBT people across the United States and his legacy is continued today.

From Joel Coen, starring Billy Bob Thornton, Frances McDormand, Michael Badalucco, James Gandolfini
Rated R

The Man Who Wasn't There is a 2001 neo-noir film written, produced, and directed by the Coen brothers. Starring Billy Bob Thornton, the film follows the story of an unassuming barber Ed Crane, living in a small town in 1949 northern California. After discovering his wife's infidelity, Ed is blackmailed by a shady businessman into helping him with a devious plan. As Ed is drawn deeper and deeper into the criminal underworld, the consequences of his actions become more devastating, leading Ed down a dark and dangerous path. As the story unfolds, Ed discovers he is much more than the simple barber he thought he was.

From Shekhar Kapur, starring Cate Blanchett, Liz Giles, Rod Culbertson, Paul Fox
Rated R

From David Cronenberg, starring Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello, Ed Harris, William Hurt
Rated R

From Pawel Pawlikowski, starring Agata Kulesza, Agata Trzebuchowska, Dawid Ogrodnik, Jerzy Trela
Rated PG-13

From Iain Softley, starring Kevin Spacey, Jeff Bridges, Mary McCormack, Alfre Woodard
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Andrew Erwin, Jon Erwin, starring J. Michael Finley, Madeline Carroll, Dennis Quaid, Trace Adkins
Rated PG

From Milos Forman, starring Woody Harrelson, Courtney Love, Edward Norton, Brett Harrelson
Rated R

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Michael Moriarty, Carrie Snodgress, Sydney Penny
Rated R

From Mel Gibson, starring Jim Caviezel, Monica Bellucci, Maia Morgenstern, Christo Jivkov
Rated R

From Patricia Riggen, starring Jennifer Garner, Kylie Rogers, Martin Henderson, Brighton Sharbino
Rated PG

From Alejandro Amenábar, starring Rachel Weisz, Max Minghella, Oscar Isaac, Ashraf Barhom
Rated R

From Nick Cassavetes, starring Denzel Washington, Robert Duvall, Gabriela Oltean, Kimberly Elise
Rated PG-13

From Hugh Hudson, starring Ben Cross, Ian Charleson, Nicholas Farrell, Nigel Havers
Rated PG