Entertainment is the most highly influential medium of the world. This year, the Oscars nominated three Christian themed or influenced films. As Christians in entertainment, if our goal is to portray the true nature of who Christ is in a way that can be relevant within pop culture which film would you pick as this years best film? Did it even receive an Oscar nomination?
Netflix’s The Two Popes, the story that goes behind Vatican walls with the conservative Pope Benedict and the liberal future Pope Francis who must find common ground to forge a new path for the Catholic Church, received three nominations. Jonathan Pryce was nominated for best actor in his role as Pope Francis and Anthony Hopkins for best supporting actor as Pope Benedict XVI.
A Beautiful Day In the Neighborhood wasn’t necessarily an overtly Christian film, but it is the story of a Presbyterian Minister, Fred Rogers played by Academy Award winning actor, Tom Hanks. “I think the best thing we can do is to let people know that each one of them is precious.” A skeptic journalist by the name of Tom Junod formed a friendship with Mr. Rogers while writing an article on his life work. Did the film accurately portray Mr. Rogers and his strong faith that influenced his work in 895 episodes of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood over 31 seasons? Tom Hanks is nominated for Best Supporting Actor in his role as Mr. Rogers.
Devon Franklin’s 2019 hit, Breakthrough, about a 4-year-old boy who drowns in a lake, and a faithful mother who prays for him to come back from the brink of death and be healed is nominated for Best Original Song. “I’m Standing With You” was written by award winning song writer Diane Warren and performed by the film’s lead actress, Chrissy Metz. Congratulations team Devon Franklin.