"Philomena" (2013) movie review - Revision history

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	:; [http://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-buffalo-film-society-preview-screening-philomena-gofobo-code-tickets-9226844741 ''Buffalo Film Society.'']		:; [http://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-buffalo-film-society-preview-screening-philomena-gofobo-code-tickets-9226844741 ''Buffalo Film Society.'']

	:: Based on the 2009 investigative book by BBC correspondent Martin Sixsmith, ''The Lost Child of Philomena Lee,'' ''Phiomena'' focuses on the efforts of Philomena Lee (Dench), mother to a boy conceived out of wedlock ~~â€”~~ something her Irish-Catholic community didn't have the highest opinion of ~~â€”~~ and given away for adoption in the United States. '''''In following church doctrine,''''' she was '''''forced to sign a contract''''' that wouldn't allow for any sort of inquiry into the son's whereabouts. After starting a family years later in England and, for the most part, moving on with her life, Lee meets Sixsmith (Coogan), a BBC reporter with whom she decides to discover her long-lost son.		:: Based on the 2009 investigative book by BBC correspondent Martin Sixsmith, ''The Lost Child of Philomena Lee,'' ''Phiomena'' focuses on the efforts of Philomena Lee (Dench), mother to a boy conceived out of wedlock — something her Irish-Catholic community didn't have the highest opinion of — and given away for adoption in the United States. '''''In following church doctrine,''''' she was '''''forced to sign a contract''''' that wouldn't allow for any sort of inquiry into the son's whereabouts. After starting a family years later in England and, for the most part, moving on with her life, Lee meets Sixsmith (Coogan), a BBC reporter with whom she decides to discover her long-lost son.

	:; [http://www.catholicleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/DEBUNKING-PHILOMENA-cover.pdf "Debunking ''Philomena.''"]		:; [http://www.catholicleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/DEBUNKING-PHILOMENA-cover.pdf "Debunking ''Philomena.''"]
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	:::: Among the more heartrending tales in the sorry annals of the twentieth-century Catholic Church is of tens of thousands of “bad” Irish girls virtually enslaved by the good sisters of the Magdalene asylum-cum-laundries. Until those damnable institutions closed forever in 1996, young women worked eight to ten hours, 364 days a year, worn down by taunting lectures on the evils of the flesh and frequent beatings. They were also forced to give up all rights to their out-of-wedlock children. ...		:::: Among the more heartrending tales in the sorry annals of the twentieth-century Catholic Church is of tens of thousands of “bad” Irish girls virtually enslaved by the good sisters of the Magdalene asylum-cum-laundries. Until those damnable institutions closed forever in 1996, young women worked eight to ten hours, 364 days a year, worn down by taunting lectures on the evils of the flesh and frequent beatings. They were also forced to give up all rights to their out-of-wedlock children. ...

	:::: Philomena is real ~~â€”~~ I heard her go on at charming length after a recent screening ~~â€”~~ and is the subject of a book called ''The Lost Child of Philomena Lee'' by Brit journalist Martin Sixsmith. <ref>[http://www.vulture.com/2013/11/movie-review-philomena-judi-dench-steve-coogan.html David Edelstein, "Edelstein on Philomena: Calling Out the Catholic Church, Gently."]</ref>		:::: Philomena is real — I heard her go on at charming length after a recent screening — and is the subject of a book called ''The Lost Child of Philomena Lee'' by Brit journalist Martin Sixsmith. <ref>[http://www.vulture.com/2013/11/movie-review-philomena-judi-dench-steve-coogan.html David Edelstein, "Edelstein on Philomena: Calling Out the Catholic Church, Gently."]</ref>

	; The true events that "inspired" the story:		; The true events that "inspired" the story:

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← Older revision		Revision as of 11:20, 10 December 2022
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	:: ... mean-spirited Irish nuns oppress poor Catholic girls.		:: ... mean-spirited Irish nuns oppress poor Catholic girls.

	:; [http://nypost.com/2013/11/21/philomena-another-hateful-and-boring-attack-on-catholics/ "~~â€˜Philomena~~' another hateful and boring attack on Catholics."]		:; [http://nypost.com/2013/11/21/philomena-another-hateful-and-boring-attack-on-catholics/ "‘Philomena' another hateful and boring attack on Catholics."]

	:: The film can't quite decide whether the young mother was forced to give up her son Anthony; it makes as look as though she was, but also includes a scene in which contemporary Philomena adamantly denies coercion.		:: The film can't quite decide whether the young mother was forced to give up her son Anthony; it makes as look as though she was, but also includes a scene in which contemporary Philomena adamantly denies coercion.
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	; The fictional elements:		; The fictional elements:
	* Lee and Sixsmith never met with Sister Hildegarde:		* Lee and Sixsmith never met with Sister Hildegarde:
	:: Sister Julie said: ~~â€˜The~~ film company confirmed to us in writing at an early stage of production that a second meeting with Sister Hildegarde would be incorporated into the film and dramatic license was the reason given to us.' She said Sister Hildegarde, who died in 1995, had in fact been instrumental in reuniting many mothers with their children.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2491752/Judi-Dench-movie-Philomena-twisted-truth-says-nuns.html "Hit film makes us look like villains, say nuns: Judi Dench movie Philomena 'twisted the truth.'"]</ref>		:: Sister Julie said: ‘The film company confirmed to us in writing at an early stage of production that a second meeting with Sister Hildegarde would be incorporated into the film and dramatic license was the reason given to us.' She said Sister Hildegarde, who died in 1995, had in fact been instrumental in reuniting many mothers with their children.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2491752/Judi-Dench-movie-Philomena-twisted-truth-says-nuns.html "Hit film makes us look like villains, say nuns: Judi Dench movie Philomena 'twisted the truth.'"]</ref>
	::: The character of the reporter in the movie says he is interested only in the truth--he is held up as the skeptical hero--but he never questions the claim that babies were sold by the nuns. ''He exercises the very kind of 'blind faith' that he criticizes Christians for--he believes on someone else's say-so!''		::: The character of the reporter in the movie says he is interested only in the truth--he is held up as the skeptical hero--but he never questions the claim that babies were sold by the nuns. ''He exercises the very kind of 'blind faith' that he criticizes Christians for--he believes on someone else's say-so!''
	::: Martin Sixsmith says of himself: "I'd recently lost my job as a government communications director after a row with Alastair Campbell and Stephen Byers ('''it was about telling the truth''') and I was at a loose end."<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/10377796/Philomena-Lee-told-me-her-secret-about-the-baby-boy-nuns-forced-her-to-give-away.html "Philomena Lee told me her secret - about the baby boy nuns forced her to give away."]</ref>		::: Martin Sixsmith says of himself: "I'd recently lost my job as a government communications director after a row with Alastair Campbell and Stephen Byers ('''it was about telling the truth''') and I was at a loose end."<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/10377796/Philomena-Lee-told-me-her-secret-about-the-baby-boy-nuns-forced-her-to-give-away.html "Philomena Lee told me her secret - about the baby boy nuns forced her to give away."]</ref>

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My thoughts

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	::: ''[Hmm. An English dame playing a simple-minded Irish peasant is just like our actors playing simple-minded countryfolk. Cf. Tom Hanks & Forrest Gump, the one-act play that my Jesuit brother wrote about a husband changing his mind about his wife doing nude scenes with her "nut-brown body" after he grasped how much money she would earn by stripping for the camera.'']		::: ''[Hmm. An English dame playing a simple-minded Irish peasant is just like our actors playing simple-minded countryfolk. Cf. Tom Hanks & Forrest Gump, the one-act play that my Jesuit brother wrote about a husband changing his mind about his wife doing nude scenes with her "nut-brown body" after he grasped how much money she would earn by stripping for the camera.'']

	We must hold in contempt all that was truly contemptible in the treatment of the children under the care of the sisters who ran the Magdalen Laundries. But we must not hold in contempt those who deserve no contempt. That is a hard judgment to make at this historical distance from the events. If some sisters spoke and behaved like the fictitious Sr. Hildegard, we have to condemn their sins. ''Irish sexual Puritanism is a perversion of the Church's teachings, not a representation of them.''		We must hold in contempt all that was truly contemptible in the treatment of the children under the care of the sisters who ran the Magdalen Laundries. But we must not hold in contempt those who deserve no contempt. That is a hard judgment to make at this historical distance from the events.
			* If some sisters spoke and behaved like the fictitious Sr. Hildegard, we have to condemn their sins. ''Irish sexual Puritanism is a perversion of the Church's teachings, not a representation of them.''
			* If the Church sold babies, that's evil. Accepting donations is good.

	Rebecca: ''"Your notes make the film seem schizophrenic."''		Rebecca: ''"Your notes make the film seem schizophrenic."''
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	::: '''Sixsmith:''' @#$%&*! Catholics.		::: '''Sixsmith:''' @#$%&*! Catholics.

			: To attribute what a few nuns said to the whole Church is wrong. It is a hasty and unfair generalization to say, "Whatever any Catholics say anywhere at any time is what the Church believes."


	=== Quotations ===		=== Quotations ===
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	:: The Catholic Church should go to confession, not you!		:: The Catholic Church should go to confession, not you!

			::: '''Lee:''' And after I had the sex, I thought anything that feels so lovely must be wrong.

			::: '''Sixsmith:''' @#$%&*! Catholics.

	:; Lee:		:; Lee:

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2014-03-22T12:58:31Z

My thoughts

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:58, 22 March 2014
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	Joe: "It's a ''movie,'' not a documentary."		Joe: "It's a ''movie,'' not a documentary."

	::: The movie stereotypes the nuns and their work for those who were in need. It rouses and confirms hatred of Catholicism. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Birth_of_a_Nation ''Birth of a Nation''] was not given a free pass because it was a work of fiction; it roused the ire of African Americans and inspired a revival in the Ku Klux Klan.		::: The movie stereotypes the nuns and their work for those who were in need. It rouses and confirms hatred of Catholicism. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Birth_of_a_Nation ''Birth of a Nation''] was not given a free pass because it was a work of fiction; it roused the ire of African Americans and inspired a revival of the Ku Klux Klan.

	::: I think it is legitimate to diagram where the fiction and reality diverge so as to see what kind of choices the script writers made and what meanings those changes may reveal.		::: I think it is legitimate to diagram where the fiction and reality diverge so as to see what kind of choices the script writers made and what meanings those changes may reveal.

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2014-03-22T12:58:06Z

My thoughts

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	This is an extremely sad story--a whole series of tragedies. Philomena's forgiveness of the sister whom she blames for hurting her, stealing her child from her, and selling him to an American family is a model for us to follow. The evil that others do us is evil; the evil that we do to ourselves by refusing to forgive is a second and unnecessary evil.		This is an extremely sad story--a whole series of tragedies. Philomena's forgiveness of the sister whom she blames for hurting her, stealing her child from her, and selling him to an American family is a model for us to follow. The evil that others do us is evil; the evil that we do to ourselves by refusing to forgive is a second and unnecessary evil.

	Some beautiful photography and great acting--two sunlit scenes especially. I liked both Dame Judi Dench and Steven Coogan's interpretation of their roles. I liked Dench's character very much: "a little old Irish lady."		Some beautiful photography and great acting--two sunlit scenes especially. I liked both Dame Judi Dench and Steven Coogan's interpretation of their roles. I liked Dench's character very much: "a little old Irish lady."

	We must hold in contempt all that was truly contemptible in the treatment of the children under the care of the sisters who ran the Magdalen Laundries. But we must not hold in contempt those who deserve no contempt. That is a hard judgment to make at this historical distance from the events.		::: ''[Hmm. An English dame playing a simple-minded Irish peasant is just like our actors playing simple-minded countryfolk. Cf. Tom Hanks & Forrest Gump, the one-act play that my Jesuit brother wrote about a husband changing his mind about his wife doing nude scenes with her "nut-brown body" after he grasped how much money she would earn by stripping for the camera.'']

			We must hold in contempt all that was truly contemptible in the treatment of the children under the care of the sisters who ran the Magdalen Laundries. But we must not hold in contempt those who deserve no contempt. That is a hard judgment to make at this historical distance from the events. If some sisters spoke and behaved like the fictitious Sr. Hildegard, we have to condemn their sins. ''Irish sexual Puritanism is a perversion of the Church's teachings, not a representation of them.''

	Rebecca: ''"Your notes make the film seem schizophrenic."''		Rebecca: ''"Your notes make the film seem schizophrenic."''
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	::: I don't talk about this with Joe. His declaration was the end of the conversation.		::: I don't talk about this with Joe. His declaration was the end of the conversation.

			::: Here is exactly how the movie promotes stereotyping of the sisters:

			:::: Among the more heartrending tales in the sorry annals of the twentieth-century Catholic Church is of tens of thousands of â€œbadâ€ Irish girls virtually enslaved by the good sisters of the Magdalene asylum-cum-laundries. Until those damnable institutions closed forever in 1996, young women worked eight to ten hours, 364 days a year, worn down by taunting lectures on the evils of the flesh and frequent beatings. They were also forced to give up all rights to their out-of-wedlock children. ...

			:::: Philomena is real â€” I heard her go on at charming length after a recent screening â€” and is the subject of a book called ''The Lost Child of Philomena Lee'' by Brit journalist Martin Sixsmith. <ref>[http://www.vulture.com/2013/11/movie-review-philomena-judi-dench-steve-coogan.html David Edelstein, "Edelstein on Philomena: Calling Out the Catholic Church, Gently."]</ref>

	; The true events that "inspired" the story:		; The true events that "inspired" the story:
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	; The movie does what it condemns.		; The movie does what it condemns.

	: If it is bad to condemn sin, then the movie ought not to condemn the sisters for their ~~wrongdoing~~.		: If it is bad to condemn sin, then the movie ought not to condemn the sisters for their sins.

	: If it is good to condemn sin, then the movie supports the Irish culture, the father's shame, the alleged hatred of Sr. Hildegaard for those whom she served, and criticism of Philomena and her lover for their unchaste behavior.		: If it is good to condemn sin, then the movie supports the Irish culture, the father's shame, the alleged hatred of Sr. Hildegaard for those whom she served, and criticism of Philomena and her lover for their unchaste behavior.

			: The media are merciless with the sins of the sisters while pleading for mercy for the sins of Philomena and her lover. Straining the gnat and swallowing the camel. The media love the sins of the flesh. "Anything that feels so good can't be bad." The character Philomena: "I loved it. I loved the love-making."

			::: '''Lee:''' And after I had the sex, I thought anything that feels so lovely must be wrong.

			::: '''Sixsmith:''' @#$%&*! Catholics.

	=== Quotations ===		=== Quotations ===
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	~~: '''Lee:''' And after I had the sex, I thought anything that feels so lovely must be wrong.~~

	~~: '''Sixsmith:''' @#$%&*! Catholics.~~

Mxmsj: /* My thoughts */

2014-03-21T16:56:04Z

My thoughts

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:56, 21 March 2014
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	Rebecca: ''"Your notes make the film seem schizophrenic."''		Rebecca: ''"Your notes make the film seem schizophrenic."''

	; The true events that inspired the story:		Joe: "It's a ''movie,'' not a documentary."

			::: The movie stereotypes the nuns and their work for those who were in need. It rouses and confirms hatred of Catholicism. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Birth_of_a_Nation ''Birth of a Nation''] was not given a free pass because it was a work of fiction; it roused the ire of African Americans and inspired a revival in the Ku Klux Klan.

			::: I think it is legitimate to diagram where the fiction and reality diverge so as to see what kind of choices the script writers made and what meanings those changes may reveal.

			::: I don't talk about this with Joe. His declaration was the end of the conversation.

			; The true events that "inspired" the story:
	* Philomena was raised by sisters in an orphanage herself after the death of her mother.		* Philomena was raised by sisters in an orphanage herself after the death of her mother.
	* She became pregnant at age 18.		* She became pregnant at age 18.

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:04, 10 December 2022
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	* Steve Coogan, the actor who plays the reporter, also co-authored the screenplay. Like the reporter, Coogan was raised Catholic but now identifies himself as an atheist.<ref>[http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2014/01/06/golden-globes-week-actor-steve-coogan-responds-to-criticism-philomena-is-anti-catholic/ "Golden Globes week: Actor Steve Coogan responds to criticism 'Philomena' is anti-Catholic."]</ref>		* Steve Coogan, the actor who plays the reporter, also co-authored the screenplay. Like the reporter, Coogan was raised Catholic but now identifies himself as an atheist.<ref>[http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2014/01/06/golden-globes-week-actor-steve-coogan-responds-to-criticism-philomena-is-anti-catholic/ "Golden Globes week: Actor Steve Coogan responds to criticism 'Philomena' is anti-Catholic."]</ref>
	* Harvey and Bob Weinstein (Miramax, The Weinstein Company):		* Harvey and Bob Weinstein (Miramax, The Weinstein Company):
	** [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110889/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2 ''Priest'' (1994)]--five morally debased priests.		** [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110889/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2 ''Priest'' (1994)] — five morally debased priests.
	** [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118804/?ref_=nv_sr_2 ''The Butcher Boy'' (1997)]--Sinead O'Connor as a foul-mouthed Virgin Mary		** [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118804/?ref_=nv_sr_2 ''The Butcher Boy'' (1997)] — Sinead O'Connor as a foul-mouthed Virgin Mary
	** [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120655/?ref_=nv_sr_1 ''Dogma'' (1999)]--a descendant of Joseph and Mary working in an abortion clinic.		** [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120655/?ref_=nv_sr_1 ''Dogma'' (1999)] — a descendant of Joseph and Mary working in an abortion clinic.
	** [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0243736/?ref_=nv_sr_1 ''40 Days and 40 Nights'']--ridicules Catholic sexual ethics.		** [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0243736/?ref_=nv_sr_1 ''40 Days and 40 Nights''] — ridicules Catholic sexual ethics.
	** [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318411/ ''The Magdalene Sisters'' (2002)]--vicious nuns.		** [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318411/ ''The Magdalene Sisters'' (2002)] — vicious nuns.
	** [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0307987/?ref_=nv_sr_1 "Bad Santa"]--Santa as a vulgar, drunken sexual predator		** [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0307987/?ref_=nv_sr_1 "Bad Santa"] — Santa as a vulgar, drunken sexual predator
	** [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454082/?ref_=nv_sr_1 "Black Christmas" (2006)]--slasher/horror film.		** [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454082/?ref_=nv_sr_1 "Black Christmas" (2006)] — slasher/horror film.

	* [http://www.catholicleague.org/myths-of-the-magdalene-laundries/ "Myths of the Magdalene Laundries."]		* [http://www.catholicleague.org/myths-of-the-magdalene-laundries/ "Myths of the Magdalene Laundries."]
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	* all 10,000 women and their children who were cared for in the Laundries		* all 10,000 women and their children who were cared for in the Laundries

	This is an extremely sad story--a whole series of tragedies. Philomena's forgiveness of the sister whom she blames for hurting her, stealing her child from her, and selling him to an American family is a model for us to follow. The evil that others do us is evil; the evil that we do to ourselves by refusing to forgive is a second and unnecessary evil.		This is an extremely sad story — a whole series of tragedies. Philomena's forgiveness of the sister whom she blames for hurting her, stealing her child from her, and selling him to an American family is a model for us to follow. The evil that others do us is evil; the evil that we do to ourselves by refusing to forgive is a second and unnecessary evil.

	Some beautiful photography and great acting--two sunlit scenes especially. I liked both Dame Judi Dench and Steven Coogan's interpretation of their roles. I liked Dench's character very much: "a little old Irish lady."		Some beautiful photography and great acting — two sunlit scenes especially. I liked both Dame Judi Dench and Steven Coogan's interpretation of their roles. I liked Dench's character very much: "a little old Irish lady."

	::: ''[Hmm. An English dame playing a simple-minded Irish peasant is just like our actors playing simple-minded countryfolk. Cf. Tom Hanks & Forrest Gump, the one-act play that my Jesuit brother wrote about a husband changing his mind about his wife doing nude scenes with her "nut-brown body" after he grasped how much money she would earn by stripping for the camera.'']		::: ''[Hmm. An English dame playing a simple-minded Irish peasant is just like our actors playing simple-minded countryfolk. Cf. Tom Hanks & Forrest Gump, the one-act play that my Jesuit brother wrote about a husband changing his mind about his wife doing nude scenes with her "nut-brown body" after he grasped how much money she would earn by stripping for the camera.'']
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	* Lee and Sixsmith never met with Sister Hildegarde:		* Lee and Sixsmith never met with Sister Hildegarde:
	:: Sister Julie said: ‘The film company confirmed to us in writing at an early stage of production that a second meeting with Sister Hildegarde would be incorporated into the film and dramatic license was the reason given to us.' She said Sister Hildegarde, who died in 1995, had in fact been instrumental in reuniting many mothers with their children.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2491752/Judi-Dench-movie-Philomena-twisted-truth-says-nuns.html "Hit film makes us look like villains, say nuns: Judi Dench movie Philomena 'twisted the truth.'"]</ref>		:: Sister Julie said: ‘The film company confirmed to us in writing at an early stage of production that a second meeting with Sister Hildegarde would be incorporated into the film and dramatic license was the reason given to us.' She said Sister Hildegarde, who died in 1995, had in fact been instrumental in reuniting many mothers with their children.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2491752/Judi-Dench-movie-Philomena-twisted-truth-says-nuns.html "Hit film makes us look like villains, say nuns: Judi Dench movie Philomena 'twisted the truth.'"]</ref>
	::: The character of the reporter in the movie says he is interested only in the truth--he is held up as the skeptical hero--but he never questions the claim that babies were sold by the nuns. ''He exercises the very kind of 'blind faith' that he criticizes Christians for--he believes on someone else's say-so!''		::: The character of the reporter in the movie says he is interested only in the truth — he is held up as the skeptical hero — but he never questions the claim that babies were sold by the nuns. ''He exercises the very kind of 'blind faith' that he criticizes Christians for — he believes on someone else's say-so!''
	::: Martin Sixsmith says of himself: "I'd recently lost my job as a government communications director after a row with Alastair Campbell and Stephen Byers ('''it was about telling the truth''') and I was at a loose end."<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/10377796/Philomena-Lee-told-me-her-secret-about-the-baby-boy-nuns-forced-her-to-give-away.html "Philomena Lee told me her secret - about the baby boy nuns forced her to give away."]</ref>		::: Martin Sixsmith says of himself: "I'd recently lost my job as a government communications director after a row with Alastair Campbell and Stephen Byers ('''it was about telling the truth''') and I was at a loose end."<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/10377796/Philomena-Lee-told-me-her-secret-about-the-baby-boy-nuns-forced-her-to-give-away.html "Philomena Lee told me her secret - about the baby boy nuns forced her to give away."]</ref>
	* Lee and Sixsmith never traveled to the United States together. All of the scenes and dialogue that take place in the U.S. are purely imaginary.		* Lee and Sixsmith never traveled to the United States together. All of the scenes and dialogue that take place in the U.S. are purely imaginary.
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	* begging		* begging
	* prostitution		* prostitution
	* menial labor somewhere else--in a poor house		* menial labor somewhere else — in a poor house

	; The movie does what it condemns.		; The movie does what it condemns.
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	But heard, half-heard, in the stillness <br>		But heard, half-heard, in the stillness <br>
	Between two waves of the sea. <br>		Between two waves of the sea. <br>
	Quick now, here, now, always-- <br>		Quick now, here, now, always — <br>
	A condition of complete simplicity <br>		A condition of complete simplicity <br>
	(Costing not less than everything) <br>		(Costing not less than everything) <br>

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:21, 10 December 2022
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	:; [http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2014/02/28/february-28-2014-journey-to-the-real-philomena/22261/ ''PBS,'' "Journey of the Real Philomena."]		:; [http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2014/02/28/february-28-2014-journey-to-the-real-philomena/22261/ ''PBS,'' "Journey of the Real Philomena."]

	:: It tells the true story of an Irish Catholic girl '''''forced by nuns''''' to give up her son for adoption and her search for him decades later. ~~â€œIf~~ I come out with my story, maybe it will help other women that were like me â€¦ maybe they'll get the courage to try and find their children as well,” says Philomena Lee, the real Philomena. She has launched the Philomena Project to raise awareness and encourage the Irish government and Catholic Church to make adoption records public.		:: It tells the true story of an Irish Catholic girl '''''forced by nuns''''' to give up her son for adoption and her search for him decades later. “If I come out with my story, maybe it will help other women that were like me â€¦ maybe they'll get the courage to try and find their children as well,” says Philomena Lee, the real Philomena. She has launched the Philomena Project to raise awareness and encourage the Irish government and Catholic Church to make adoption records public.

	:; [http://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-buffalo-film-society-preview-screening-philomena-gofobo-code-tickets-9226844741 ''Buffalo Film Society.'']		:; [http://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-buffalo-film-society-preview-screening-philomena-gofobo-code-tickets-9226844741 ''Buffalo Film Society.'']
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	::: Here is exactly how the movie promotes stereotyping of the sisters:		::: Here is exactly how the movie promotes stereotyping of the sisters:

	:::: Among the more heartrending tales in the sorry annals of the twentieth-century Catholic Church is of tens of thousands of ~~â€œbad”~~ Irish girls virtually enslaved by the good sisters of the Magdalene asylum-cum-laundries. Until those damnable institutions closed forever in 1996, young women worked eight to ten hours, 364 days a year, worn down by taunting lectures on the evils of the flesh and frequent beatings. They were also forced to give up all rights to their out-of-wedlock children. ...		:::: Among the more heartrending tales in the sorry annals of the twentieth-century Catholic Church is of tens of thousands of “bad” Irish girls virtually enslaved by the good sisters of the Magdalene asylum-cum-laundries. Until those damnable institutions closed forever in 1996, young women worked eight to ten hours, 364 days a year, worn down by taunting lectures on the evils of the flesh and frequent beatings. They were also forced to give up all rights to their out-of-wedlock children. ...

	:::: Philomena is real â€” I heard her go on at charming length after a recent screening â€” and is the subject of a book called ''The Lost Child of Philomena Lee'' by Brit journalist Martin Sixsmith. <ref>[http://www.vulture.com/2013/11/movie-review-philomena-judi-dench-steve-coogan.html David Edelstein, "Edelstein on Philomena: Calling Out the Catholic Church, Gently."]</ref>		:::: Philomena is real â€” I heard her go on at charming length after a recent screening â€” and is the subject of a book called ''The Lost Child of Philomena Lee'' by Brit journalist Martin Sixsmith. <ref>[http://www.vulture.com/2013/11/movie-review-philomena-judi-dench-steve-coogan.html David Edelstein, "Edelstein on Philomena: Calling Out the Catholic Church, Gently."]</ref>
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	::: For one, in the 1950s, the Catholic Church in Ireland was the only group caring for women in distress. They would welcome women in crisis and arrange adoptions for their unplanned children.		::: For one, in the 1950s, the Catholic Church in Ireland was the only group caring for women in distress. They would welcome women in crisis and arrange adoptions for their unplanned children.
	:::* There is no evidence that children were ~~â€œsold”~~ to the ~~â€œhighest~~ bidder.”		:::* There is no evidence that children were “sold” to the “highest bidder.”
	:::* There is no evidence that women were forced into slave labor.		:::* There is no evidence that women were forced into slave labor.
	:::* And the ~~â€œcruel~~, harsh” nuns that the film depicts were often the ones working hardest for family unification.		:::* And the “cruel, harsh” nuns that the film depicts were often the ones working hardest for family unification.
	:::* Never did the Catholic Church imply that they burned the records in a fire.		:::* Never did the Catholic Church imply that they burned the records in a fire.

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:40, 10 December 2022
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	:; [http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2014/02/28/february-28-2014-journey-to-the-real-philomena/22261/ ''PBS,'' "Journey of the Real Philomena."]		:; [http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2014/02/28/february-28-2014-journey-to-the-real-philomena/22261/ ''PBS,'' "Journey of the Real Philomena."]

	:: It tells the true story of an Irish Catholic girl '''''forced by nuns''''' to give up her son for adoption and her search for him decades later. â€œIf I come out with my story, maybe it will help other women that were like me â€¦ maybe ~~theyâ€™ll~~ get the courage to try and find their children as well,â€ says Philomena Lee, the real Philomena. She has launched the Philomena Project to raise awareness and encourage the Irish government and Catholic Church to make adoption records public.		:: It tells the true story of an Irish Catholic girl '''''forced by nuns''''' to give up her son for adoption and her search for him decades later. â€œIf I come out with my story, maybe it will help other women that were like me â€¦ maybe they'll get the courage to try and find their children as well,â€ says Philomena Lee, the real Philomena. She has launched the Philomena Project to raise awareness and encourage the Irish government and Catholic Church to make adoption records public.

	:; [http://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-buffalo-film-society-preview-screening-philomena-gofobo-code-tickets-9226844741 ''Buffalo Film Society.'']		:; [http://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-buffalo-film-society-preview-screening-philomena-gofobo-code-tickets-9226844741 ''Buffalo Film Society.'']

	:: Based on the 2009 investigative book by BBC correspondent Martin Sixsmith, ''The Lost Child of Philomena Lee,'' ''Phiomena'' focuses on the efforts of Philomena Lee (Dench), mother to a boy conceived out of wedlock â€” something her Irish-Catholic community ~~didnâ€™t~~ have the highest opinion of â€” and given away for adoption in the United States. '''''In following church doctrine,''''' she was '''''forced to sign a contract''''' that ~~wouldnâ€™t~~ allow for any sort of inquiry into the ~~sonâ€™s~~ whereabouts. After starting a family years later in England and, for the most part, moving on with her life, Lee meets Sixsmith (Coogan), a BBC reporter with whom she decides to discover her long-lost son.		:: Based on the 2009 investigative book by BBC correspondent Martin Sixsmith, ''The Lost Child of Philomena Lee,'' ''Phiomena'' focuses on the efforts of Philomena Lee (Dench), mother to a boy conceived out of wedlock â€” something her Irish-Catholic community didn't have the highest opinion of â€” and given away for adoption in the United States. '''''In following church doctrine,''''' she was '''''forced to sign a contract''''' that wouldn't allow for any sort of inquiry into the son's whereabouts. After starting a family years later in England and, for the most part, moving on with her life, Lee meets Sixsmith (Coogan), a BBC reporter with whom she decides to discover her long-lost son.

	:; [http://www.catholicleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/DEBUNKING-PHILOMENA-cover.pdf "Debunking ''Philomena.''"]		:; [http://www.catholicleague.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/DEBUNKING-PHILOMENA-cover.pdf "Debunking ''Philomena.''"]
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	:: ... mean-spirited Irish nuns oppress poor Catholic girls.		:: ... mean-spirited Irish nuns oppress poor Catholic girls.

	:; [http://nypost.com/2013/11/21/philomena-another-hateful-and-boring-attack-on-catholics/ "~~â€˜Philomenaâ€™~~ another hateful and boring attack on Catholics."]		:; [http://nypost.com/2013/11/21/philomena-another-hateful-and-boring-attack-on-catholics/ "â€˜Philomena' another hateful and boring attack on Catholics."]

	:: The film ~~canâ€™t~~ quite decide whether the young mother was forced to give up her son Anthony; it makes as look as though she was, but also includes a scene in which contemporary Philomena adamantly denies coercion.		:: The film can't quite decide whether the young mother was forced to give up her son Anthony; it makes as look as though she was, but also includes a scene in which contemporary Philomena adamantly denies coercion.

	== My thoughts ==		== My thoughts ==
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	; The fictional elements:		; The fictional elements:
	* Lee and Sixsmith never met with Sister Hildegarde:		* Lee and Sixsmith never met with Sister Hildegarde:
	:: Sister Julie said: â€˜The film company confirmed to us in writing at an early stage of production that a second meeting with Sister Hildegarde would be incorporated into the film and dramatic license was the reason given to us.~~â€™~~ She said Sister Hildegarde, who died in 1995, had in fact been instrumental in reuniting many mothers with their children.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2491752/Judi-Dench-movie-Philomena-twisted-truth-says-nuns.html "Hit film makes us look like villains, say nuns: Judi Dench movie Philomena 'twisted the truth.'"]</ref>		:: Sister Julie said: â€˜The film company confirmed to us in writing at an early stage of production that a second meeting with Sister Hildegarde would be incorporated into the film and dramatic license was the reason given to us.' She said Sister Hildegarde, who died in 1995, had in fact been instrumental in reuniting many mothers with their children.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2491752/Judi-Dench-movie-Philomena-twisted-truth-says-nuns.html "Hit film makes us look like villains, say nuns: Judi Dench movie Philomena 'twisted the truth.'"]</ref>
	::: The character of the reporter in the movie says he is interested only in the truth--he is held up as the skeptical hero--but he never questions the claim that babies were sold by the nuns. ''He exercises the very kind of 'blind faith' that he criticizes Christians for--he believes on someone else's say-so!''		::: The character of the reporter in the movie says he is interested only in the truth--he is held up as the skeptical hero--but he never questions the claim that babies were sold by the nuns. ''He exercises the very kind of 'blind faith' that he criticizes Christians for--he believes on someone else's say-so!''
	::: Martin Sixsmith says of himself: "~~Iâ€™d~~ recently lost my job as a government communications director after a row with Alastair Campbell and Stephen Byers ('''it was about telling the truth''') and I was at a loose end."<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/10377796/Philomena-Lee-told-me-her-secret-about-the-baby-boy-nuns-forced-her-to-give-away.html "Philomena Lee told me her secret - about the baby boy nuns forced her to give away."]</ref>		::: Martin Sixsmith says of himself: "I'd recently lost my job as a government communications director after a row with Alastair Campbell and Stephen Byers ('''it was about telling the truth''') and I was at a loose end."<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/10377796/Philomena-Lee-told-me-her-secret-about-the-baby-boy-nuns-forced-her-to-give-away.html "Philomena Lee told me her secret - about the baby boy nuns forced her to give away."]</ref>
	* Lee and Sixsmith never traveled to the United States together. All of the scenes and dialogue that take place in the U.S. are purely imaginary.		* Lee and Sixsmith never traveled to the United States together. All of the scenes and dialogue that take place in the U.S. are purely imaginary.
	::: "A story need not be true to be true."		::: "A story need not be true to be true."

"Philomena" (2013) movie review - Revision history

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