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The Journal of Religion & Film is a peer reviewed journal which is committed to the study of connections between the medium of film and the phenomena of religion, however those are defined. We encourage multiple approaches to the study of religion and film, including (but not limited to) the analysis of how religious traditions are portrayed in films; exploration of the religious concepts that may be found or utilized in the interpretation of films; study of how the religious ideals and background of the filmmakers may have influenced them; and analysis of how films themselves may operate “religiously” for viewers. We seek to create better understandings of both religion and film through the study of their mutual encounter and interactions.

Current Issue: Volume 25, Issue 1 (2021) April 2021

Introduction

We now share our April issue in full, including articles, book reviews, and film reviews from three festivals: Sundance, Slamdance, and SXSW. --John Lyden, Editor

Articles

By and For Jewish Women Only: The Musical Film "The Heart That Sings"
Celia E. Rothenberg

Revising Mary Queen of Scots: from Protestant Persecution to Patriarchal Struggle
Jennifer M. DeSilva and Emily K. McGuire

“He Who Laughs Last!” Terrorists, Nihilists, and Jokers
William S. Chavez and Luke McCracken

Book Reviews

A Long, Long Way: Hollywood's Unfinished Journey from Racism to Reconciliation
Adele Reinhartz

Films for the Colonies: Cinema and the Preservation of the British Empire
Thomas Barker

Silver Screen, Hasidic Jews: The Story of An Image
Eric Mazur

Stanley Kubrick, Jewish Filmmaker: A Review Essay
Michael Gibson

The Witch
Paul O'Connor

Scorsese and Religion
Joel Mayward

Temporary Marriage in Iran: Gender and Body Politics in Modern Iranian Film and Literature
Alicia Izharuddin

Sundance Film Festival Reviews

Sundance 2021 Introduction
John C. Lyden

CODA
John C. Lyden

Cryptozoo
John C. Lyden

How It Ends
John C. Lyden

A Glitch in the Matrix
John C. Lyden

Strawberry Mansion
John C. Lyden

Rebel Hearts
John C. Lyden

Together Together
John C. Lyden

Mass
John C. Lyden

Flee
John C. Lyden

Land
Jodi McDavid

Sabaya
Jodi McDavid

Playing With Sharks
Jodi McDavid

Coming Home in the Dark
Jodi McDavid

Pleasure
Jodi McDavid

Human Factors
Rubina Ramji

In the Earth
Rubina Ramji

You Wouldn't Understand
Rubina Ramji

The Unseen River
William L. Blizek

LIzard
William L. Blizek

Misery Loves Company
William L. Blizek

Spirits and Rocks: An Azorean Myth
William L. Blizek

Bambirak
William L. Blizek

I ran from it and was still in it
William L. Blizek

The Touch of the Master's Hand
William L. Blizek

Raspberry
William L. Blizek

This Is the Way We Rise
Michele M. Desmarais

The Fourfold
John C. Lyden

Mountain Cat
William L. Blizek

Five Tiger
William L. Blizek

Like the Ones I Used to Know
Rubina Ramji

Slamdance Film Festival Reviews

Anarchy Goes Virtual: Report from Slamdance 2021
William L. Blizek

Feeling Through
William L. Blizek

The Bin
William L. Blizek

Unforgivable
William L. Blizek

Sleeping with the Devil
William L. Blizek

Izaokas (Isaac)
William L. Blizek

Bare Bones
William L. Blizek

Delimitation
William L. Blizek

Revelations
William L. Blizek

Trammel
William L. Blizek

There
William L. Blizek

I Think It's Enough, Isn't It?
William L. Blizek

Taipei Suicide Story
John C. Lyden

The Length of Day
John C. Lyden

Every Day's Like This
John C. Lyden

In France, Michelle is a Man's Name
John Lyden

The Sleeping Negro
William L. Blizek

Catastrophe Anthem
William L. Blizek

Life
William L. Blizek

A Black Rift Begins to Yawn
Brady DeSanti

End of the Line: The Women of Standing Rock
Gary Saul

Holy Frit
Michele M. Desmarais

SXSW Film Festival Reviews

Women Is Losers
John C. Lyden

The Return: Life After ISIS
John C. Lyden

Islands
John C. Lyden

Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America
John C. Lyden