Movies that tackle interfaith coexistence are a great practice to initiate dialogue in diverse communities and promote mutual understanding. Such movies are a way to share the narrative and the experience of various communities, which permits communities to tackle their differences. The purpose behind these activities is to bring together individuals from different religious backgrounds to engage in interreligious dialogue while participating in an entertaining activity.

Movies that tackle interfaith coexistence are a great practice to initiate dialogue in diverse communities and promote mutual understanding. Such movies are a way to share the narrative and the experience of various communities, which permits communities to tackle their differences. The purpose behind these activities is to bring together individuals from different religious backgrounds to engage in interreligious dialogue while participating in an entertaining activity.

Activity: Structure and Needs

Individuals from diverse religious origins gather to watch movies focusing on religious or interfaith topics. Usually a cycle of 3 to 4 projections is organized during a defined period of time to talk about the world’s three main monotheistic religions. After the movie projection, participants are asked to contribute to a debate on the subject matter at hand. A partnership between local authorities, the different religious communities and a theatre can be established to improve the quality of the event.

Objectives: Impact and Focus

Such an activity is promising because it is engaging and enjoyable, and sparks curiosity. It also promotes interreligious interaction and dialogue. This kind of initiative is a great method to break the ice between people of different religious communities, and helps individuals to acknowledge people of different values, practices, and rituals of worships. It emphasizes all the cultural and spiritual commonalities between different communities, and contributes to the acceptance of the “other” by the broader community. Furthermore, this tool enables potentially reluctant individuals to engage in this discussion, for it simultaneously acts on emotions, senses and rationality. It vividly portrays the experience of different communities, and pushes the audience to identify with it and initiates an inner dialogue on the importance of coexistence.

Field Data: Examples and Sources (Activity – Organisation – Location)

1.) Interfaith CineClub – Dirección General de Cultos – Gobierno de Buenos Aires – Buenos Aires, Argentina

The General Direction of Worship of Buenos Aires, Argentina leads the Interfaith Cineclub. They are partners with the French Alliance for the auditorium and Bridge Builders (an interreligious association). The goal of this institution is to highlight religious diversity in Buenos Aires as a positive vector of social construction. They organize multicultural activities, including the cycles of movies and debates about religion. Once a year, they screen 3 religious movies and organize debates and discussions afterwards.