International Review of Educational Cinematography (Jan-Dec 1930)

82 — world. Following on it, other countries demanded that the production of religious films should be promoted. Austrians, such as Beran in the above cited article, are asking that the Catholic film be introduced into Austria. And, in the Region, of Oviedo, Spain, a leading article invokes the resolutions of the Paris Congress in support of the need of directing the Spanish cinema towards this form of activity, adducing the vast influence that the film exercises on the masses (F. 11/380). But Spain is already doing much in this direction. The Salesian Order, which educates great numbers of the poorest children of Madrid, has recourse to the cinema as a means of teaching in holiday meetings, while the Viscaya Provincial Deputation has decided to set up cinemas at its own expense in all the schools of that Province. The so-called « Parochial Cinematographic Institute » is hard at work in France ; it is supported by a group of voluntary helpers who have recourse to the cinema for purposes of moral and Christian education, to teach the history of the Church and of the Motherland, and to point out noble examples that are a lesson to all. The production of films on the Catechism has indeed been widely developed of late in France. The films are prepared with great technical care and are carefully revised from the standpoint of religious exactitude. Let us cite a few French films that have recently been announced. A whole series of religious films are being prepared : the first of these, «Baptism», will be produced under the direct supervision of Father Baudet, Parish Priest of Montfermeil, and under the auspices of Monsignor Roland Cosselin, Suffragan of the Bishop of Versailles. On the occasion of the Jubilee of Saint Joan, the « Maison de la Bonne Presse » of Paris, published a film entitled «In Glory » consisting of two parts «Domremy» and «Orleans». The Etoile-Film is producing « The Age of Saint Joan », showing pictures of the ceremonies of Chinon, Orleans, Paris and Compiegne. The Societi Venloo is preparing a similar film (M. K. B. FilmRundschau, Essen, F. 11,70). The Catholic film movement in France has caused a flutter in some quarters. Leon Moussinac, in the « Humanite' » (F. 11/69) calls the attention of French Communists to the shows given on the occasion of the Paris Congress, and calls upon them to make a stand against them. He write, « We must expect to see a whole series of such films produced for the special purposes of religious propaganda », and adds : « Our comrades must be on the lookout here. A strenuous campaign should be organized everywhere against the exhibition of Catholic films, a campaign as effective as that carried on in the past against « war films » and particularly against the « Grand Parade ». It is well to point out however that not all films with titles bearing on religious themes or suggesting such themes are to be regarded as educational from the religious standpoint. Without going into details, which are familiar to all, it will suffice to recall here the « Marvellous Life of Joan of Arc », produced by JeanJose Frappa, against which the French Catholic press put all good Catholics on their guard, for it represents the Saint as a kind of war bacchante and does not adhere to historical religious truth. The Catholic press in fact evers that this film ought to be banned from the programmes of Catholic cinemas. ( « M. K. B. Film Rundschau », Essen, F. 11,72). On the other hand, the French review « Comoedia » states that the British Board of Film Censors has not yet decided to allow this film to be shown in England. The Censors doubt whether certain of the scenes bearing on religious matters would go down well with the British public, while experts declare that the excision of the scenes in question would ruin the film. The question of the religious film is being widely discussed in England. We refer the reader to a statement that appeared in the December issue of the Review (p. 725) on the monthly meeting of the General Council of the C. E. A., held in Newcastle on the 3rd October last. Mr Walter Scott, who opened the discussion, expressed the view that religion ought not to be regarded as matter for entertainment. Religion and politics, according to this gentleman's views, are matters of individual conscience. He held that, on the one hand, religious films may have a bad influence on the souls of believers, and that, on the other hand, they are liable