Fr. Don Commentary: JUNOIs JUNO a Pro-life Film?
I
read somewhere that the "artist alone can make us taste the truth."
There have been some commentaries and articles from the
faith-based
community that have honed in on the political "Pro-life" question
in evaluating the ultimate merits of JUNO. I am sorry
to say
that I am somewhat disappointed in these treatments of
JUNO because it
tends to reduce the
film to a single political statement that needs to be resolved within this film. JUNO's creators,
particularly the writer (Diablo Cody) deserve better. New Ethos gives
its highest praise to those associated with the creation of this film
because of its truthful presentation of a very real situation that
young women (and girls) have to deal with everyday.A work of art that is religious (or moralizing) in subject matter alone, and not in its beauty of truth is an incarnate lie. Jesus incarnate did not present himself to humanity to moralize, rather he presented the reality of himself as the way, the truth, and the life. New Ethos showcases films that have a moral depth as opposed to moralizing. New Ethos credits the Writer, Diablo Cody, and the cast who delivered it, for presenting "reality" versus a moral exhortation. Maybe we can leave the exhortations to some Church documents, but in the world of film entertainment, it is the artists who can help us "taste" the truth. New Ethos admires the many God given gifts of artists. One gift, in particular, to be respected is the artists ability to be the first to alert the world and ourselves to changes in the environment around us. JUNO helps do this for us. The creators of JUNO presented a reality latent with how our society deals with the challenges of an unwed pregnant teen (or adult woman). In the process of JUNO's creation, something beautiful happened and in a most profound way that seems to have God's very hand in the process - a celebration of life and love! And this gives New Ethos pause to take notice and applaud. Thank you JUNO for giving us a taste of truth, rather than a dose of bitter diatribe. -Fr. Don Woznicki, Executive Director - New Ethos |