Exploring film and faith in the Primary Phase
Explore the Lives of Founders / Religious Experience / Revelation / The Nature of God
Prince of Egypt (1998 U) - The Burning Bush - Moses learns that God has a task for him.
(start at 41 minutes and end at 46 minutes - Moses leaves the cave)
In exploring the content of this clip it is important to appreciate the cinematic techniques used and to encourage pupils to consider these when they discuss their responses to the film.
Cinematic Points to consider:
- How are colours used to denote mood/emotions?
- How do the different camera-angles help to convey what is happening?
- How is God characterised through the voice / dialogue / colours?
Points for the Teacher to consider:
- The voice of God is composed of male and female tones.
- In the Bible the encounter takes place on 'the mountain of God' - why set Moses' encounter in a cave?
- The power of God is mainly seen through Moses' experience - the camera is rarely on the tree itself.
- The cinematic account makes several omissions and deviations from the biblical account.
Key Questions that may be useful to explore in unpacking this clip:
What is God like? (Male/female, kind/unkind, friendly/scary)
How did Moses' emotions change during his encounter with God? (A 'Fortune Line' may be helpful here)
If you had an experience like this how would you feel? Would you feel worried or special, happy or sad, brave or frightened?
Moses was asked to stand up for his people and help them to be free - who would you help / stand up for?
Extension task
This film starts with the following quotation:
"The motion picture you are about to see is an adaptation of the Exodus story.
While artistic and historical licence has been taken we believe that this film is true to the essence, values and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for millions of people worldwide."