Romero (1989) - Religion film analysis - Essay Example

Religion film analysis Main thesis of the film The intriguing drama of Romero delves into the life of a Salvadoran bishop in a period spanning three years. He became an archbishop in 1997 before his eventual assassination on 24th March 1980 in the Divine Providence Hospital Chapel located in San Salvador. Archbishop Oscar Romero depicted a great hero of the liberation struggle in Latin America during a period referred to as the ‘long dark night’ which lasted from the 1960’s to the 1980’s. To this end, one of the main themes that emerge pertains to liberation theology since Archbishop Romero is depicted as the ‘voice of the oppressed in El Salvador when he reached the pinnacle of the Roman Catholic hierarchy’. Interestingly, Romero achieves the archbishop status at a time when El Salvador is embroiled in injustice and violence. The military forces of El Salvador are fighting against the Marxist guerrilla forces within the country. Incidentally, the ongoing fight against Communism is only oppressing the poor. To this end, the theme of suffering and oppression is evident in the dramatic movie. The image of Romero is of an emboldened man of God who comes out as the voice of the voiceless and oppressed in El Salvador. An example of his brevity is his stance following the assassination of a colleague by the name of Richard Jordan, the torturous murder of another priest by the name of Alejandro Bracho and the murder of a young lady who is a leader of the Christian base community in Lucia Reina. Incidentally, the film shows that Romero begins his role as bishop with the backing of the powerful and rich ruling Catholics in El Salvador such as Ana Alicia who is the wife of the Minister of Agriculture. Representation of Religion in the Film The aspect of religion is evident through the life of Archbishop Romero as he gradually evolves into liberation theologian. Evidently, the film projects the faith in religion even in the face of terror. This is evident in the scene where Archbishop Romero returns with his colleague to the church that was occupied by the military in order to recover the Eucharist. The Eucharist was a symbol of the blood and body of Christ among the Catholics in El Salvador. Furthermore, the Eucharist represented the dignity of the El Salvadorian community. In this regard, the act of retrieval was a religious and socially significant event by Archbishop Romero. Interestingly, the potential of ultimate liberation of the EL Salvadoran populace is hinged on the capacity to redeem themselves from religiously instigated persecution by their political opponents. Moreover, religion played a pertinent role in the selection of Romero as the archbishop. In this regard, the short period in which Romero served was characterized by political unrest. To this end, those who opposed the radical right section were deemed as Marxist communists and ideal targets for execution. In this regard, the Catholic leadership were comfortable with the appointment of Romero as the archbishop. The Catholic religious leaders wanted a church leader for El Salvador who would not elicit any negative focus towards the Catholic Church. This would essentially guarantee their safety and enduring support for the government. However, following Romero’s appointment, he became more aware of his political duties pertaining to the plight of the lower class in El Salvador. To this end, he experienced increased difficulties in balancing duties of rallying support from his powerful religious colleagues and the helpless poor in society. Comparison of the film with class readings Gutierez in the ‘the task and content of liberation,’ delves into the struggle of Latinas in the liberation struggle during the 1960’s. Evidently, Gutierez focuses on the liberation process for the poor by grassroots Christian communities. In this regard, the author focuses on a theological perspective pertaining to the liberation role of the Roman Catholic Church in Latin populace. In comparison to the film Romero, the aspect of liberation theology is clearly evident. To this end, the Archbishop Romero of San Salvador is portrayed as a hero of liberation theology. Moreover, the film clearly draws the Roman Catholic Church in the centre of the liberation theology through the acts of justice and solidarity by Archbishop Romero. Evidently, Archbishop Romero provides a perfect example of the liberation theology when he leads a number of the citizens in prayer. To this end, the scene illustrates the prayer as, ‘Lord you created us for freedom, Christ you created us to live in dignity.’’ Guiterez notes that the theology of liberation is centered on God’s love for humanity. In this regard, the relation of liberation theology is evident when Archbishop Romero engages the locals in the prayer. In the same breadth, Romero expresses this connection when he goes further to state, ‘the mission of the church lies in identifying itself with the poor people and assist them in their struggle for justice.’ Liberation theology is based on the precinct of improving life and propagating the rights of the poor in society. In addition, both Gutierez and the producer of the film exhibit the similarities between politics and liberation theology. In this regard, the film Romero shows how the local governments blamed local clergy for acting in cohorts with the Marxist rebels. To this end, the major persons affected by the political injustice were poor people who suffered from oppression, exploitation and poverty. What theoretical models that we have learned from the readings would you bring to bear on these films in order to make sense of them? One of the theoretical models entails the idea on inclusion as espoused by Marcella Maria Althaus Reid in ‘Demythologising liberation theory: reflection on power, poverty and sexuality.’ To this end, she talks about an inclusive church that is bound on the celebration of the Eucharist. Evidently, she breaks down the metaphorical use of the Eucharist whereby it symbolizes a participatory society that is bound on the partaking of bread and wine. In this regard, the bread and wine is not a product following any exploitative labour but the benefits resulting from liberation efforts in society. In relation to the film, the partaking of the Eucharist was evident even in the face of the political turmoil and suffering. Archbishop Romero administers the Eucharist to his Catholic faithful as an expression of inclusivity within the society irrespective of their social status or challenges that they are undergoing. In addition, the Eucharist in the film symbolizes the right to equality in the society devoid of exploitation and oppression. Interestingly, the critical importance of inclusivity is evident in the scene whereby Romero goes to rescue the Eucharist from the church occupied by military. To this end, Archbishop Romero is fully aware that the Eucharist is a symbol of inclusivity for the poor people that are subjected to oppression and exploitation and a metaphorical representation of hope and justice. If the Eucharist is destroyed then the society stands a high chance of sinking into hopelessness devoid of morale in their struggle for liberation. Works Cited "ROMERO (1989) - Watch Movies Online For Free on TubePlus." TUBE+ Watch full length TV Shows and Movies online for free. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2013. Read More