The Wages of Cinema: A Christian Aesthetic of Film in Conversation with Dorothy L. Sayers

by Crystal Downing

Publisher:

IVP Academic

, 2025

Discover a New Dimension of Faith and Cinema with The Wages of Cinema

In a captivating realm where cinematic narratives enchant countless viewers, how can one harmonize their faith with the craft of filmmaking? The Wages of Cinema encourages a deep dive into this relationship, drawing upon the significant reflections of Dorothy L. Sayers defending the authenticity of art and truth's manifestation.

The Wages of Cinema uses examples ranging from the timeless genius of Charlie Chaplin to the cultural phenomenon of Barbie, illustrating how film theory can be enriched by the truths of the Christian faith.

The Wages of Cinema will help readers appreciate artistry through:

• Enlightening Models: Learn how Christians can discuss films intelligently, transcending simple content critique.

• Historical Insights: Delve into the history of cinema and the evolution of film theories.
• Sayers's Legacy: Uncover little-known evidence of Dorothy Sayers's engagement with cinema, shedding light on her passion for truth and artistic integrity.

Dive into The Wages of Cinema and transform your movie-watching into a meaningful dialogue between faith and art. Whether you're a student of film or a passionate movie lover, The Wages of Cinema will broaden your horizon and deepen your appreciation of cinema.

Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction: Truth, Beauty, and Goodness

1. The Religious Origins of Cinema
2. The Stigmata of Theater Versus the Stigma of Film
3. The Theater of War: Effects on Film and Faith
4. From Silent Film to Sound Work
5. The Mind of the Filmmaker: Endorsing a Christian Aesthetic
6. Film Theory: Making Meaning of Cinematic Form
7. Seeing Women: From King Kong to Barbie
8. Love on Screen: Finding the Real Thing

Coda: Sayers and Cinema: Intersecting Histories

Praise for The Wages of Cinema

"If, as Dorothy Sayers quipped, the 'only Christian work is good work, well done,' then Crystal Downing has scripted a magnificent Christian work on a fascinating and wonderfully unruly Christian saint whose thoughts on art, beauty, goodness, and cinema reshape the ways in which we might watch films. Downing is no 'hoity-toity film buff' but a creative mind that remakes the experience of filmgoing a religious renaissance of a mystery play."

"Crystal Downing's latest book, The Wages of Cinema, is an in-depth study of the ways in which Dorothy Sayers thought, felt, and wrote in cinematic terms in her writings, her novels, and her plays. It is erudite, scholarly, and accurate, and a joy to read. Downing draws on many sources for her ideas and bases her study on materials from important scholars of both Sayers and cinema. I recommend it highly for all who would like to know more about DLS, an exceptional writer, and her gift for dramatization."

"In The Wages of Cinema, Crystal L. Downing takes us to the movies with Dorothy L. Sayers, treating us to a blockbuster of a book that explores the history, theory, and forms of cinema in light of Sayers's biography, theology, and Christian aesthetic. With its thoughtful organization, illuminating examples, and delightful wordplay, Downing's book serves as further proof that Sayers was correct when she wrote that 'a work of creation is an act of love.'"

"A rich and necessary exploration of the intersection of Christian thought and cinematic aesthetic through the lens of Dorothy L. Sayers. Thought-provoking and insightful, this work offers a fresh perspective on cinema's artistic and spiritual dimensions. A must-read for those who seek a deeper understanding of film history, theory, and the theological insights that enrich both."

Product Details

• Title: The Wages of Cinema: A Christian Aesthetic of Film in Conversation with Dorothy L. Sayers
• Author: Crystal Downing
• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Print Publication Date: 2025
• Logos Release Date: 2024
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9781514008812, 9781514008805, 1514008807, 1514008815
• Resource ID: LLS:9781514008812
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-09-11T03:21:35Z

About Crystal Downing

Crystal Downing, Distinguished Professor of English and Film Studies at Messiah College (PA), has published widely on the relationship between Christianity and culture. Her first book, Writing Performances: The Stages of Dorothy L. Sayers (Palgrave Macmillan) received the international Barbara Reynolds Award for best scholarship on Sayers, granted at Cambridge in 2009 by the Dorothy L. Sayers Society. Her second book, How Postmodernism Serves (My) Faith (IVP Academic), grapples with the rhetorical and religious turns in philosophy. Downing has also published scores of essays in Books and Culture, The Cresset, and Religion and the Arts, drawing Christianity and culture into conversation through analysis of film semiotics.