Faithspotting Hosts Mike Hatch and Kenny Dickson discuss and spot faith reflected in the AppleTV+ series starring Oscar winners Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline. Disclaimer is the first television series directed by four time Oscar winning director Alphonso Cuaron and is based on the psychlogical thrilling novel by Renee Knight.

Faith Notes:

Disclaimer depicts the impact impact of unresolved grief and anger that grows into hate, as well as the destructive power of hate fueled revenge. Disclaimer demonstrates the impact of not effectively working through grief and anger. While people process grief in different ways and times, intervention is necessary when one becomes supresses or gets stuck in the mourning and grief process. In a similar way, holding on to anger can lead to destructive consequences to health and relationships. Discalaimer is rated -R- for Language, Sexuality, and depictions of Sexual Violence, and Drug use.

For Christians, faith in the new life assured now and eternally through the resurrection assists persons in the midst of loss and grief. The destructive power of unresolved and unforgiven anger often leads to thoughts or acts of revenge which impacts not only the people directly involved but family, friends, and others who suffer collateral wounds. Forgiveness is commanded by Christ. Forgiveness helps protect and preserve the physicial, psychological, and spiritual health and well-being of individuals directively involved as well as others. Forgiveness ifsoften very difficult, but even when it seems God can work within one to bring them to a state of forgiveness and peace.

Mike and Kenny discuss the wonderful film and spot faith elements reflected in Titus Kaphar's feature length directorial and screenwriting debut. Included in the episode is an indepth conversation with Titus Kaphar. Based on Kaphar's life, Exhibing Forgiveness examines the need and difficulty many face in offering forgiveness. Titus Kaphar is a well known artist whose paintings and sculptures are highly sought after by private collectors and galleries. The forgiving process mirrors Kaphars understanding of art as a way to disrupt past narratives which breaks the power of past events in the present and future.

Faith Issues:

The true nature, difficulty, and process of offering forgiveness.

When one withholds forgiveness, one allows the other to keep power over oneself.

The healing that can come through replacing anger and resentfullness with forgiveness changes the narrative and arc of one's emotions, spirit, and life.

Kenny and Mike discuss Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Tim Burton's sequel to his 1988 classic horror conference Beetlejuice. Michael Keaton returns as Betelgeuse, the bio-exorcist along with Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara who reprise their roles as Lydia and Delia Deitz. Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Willem Dafoe and Monica Bellucci join the cast as Betelgeuse continues his pursuite of Lydia while avoiding his recently reconnected and now murderous ex-wife Delores (Monica Bellucci.) Kenny also shares some of his experiences at the Venice Film Festival where Beetlejuice Beetlejuice had its world premiere in late August, 2024.

Faith Spotted:

As persons of faith we believe in the promise of new life that is available through grace by faith. Through God's forgiveness we are not bound by the mistakes we make, have made or by our background. As Easter people we believe in restoration and that our true identity is as a beloved child of God. We should not label others or accept the labels others have toward us. The resurrection hope and promise of new life and is not limited to that which we receive in full after we die, but is available in our life and time here.

Faith Spotted II: (Faith issues not mentioned in the podcast.)

The Struggles of both Lydia, and Delia, as well perhaps as Betelgeuse, have by not working through past failure, pain, and loss in life. Though painful, it is in facing, and doing, the grief work and process that we are able to move beyond mourning, pain and loss, and begin the new normal life that God desires for us.

As persons of faith we are called to live and be in the moments of life, whether difficult, exciting, or routine. Each day is a gift and even in the midst of pain or routine, evidence of God's presence and grace abound and offer joy.

Venice Film Festival Photos: