Here's the cover for my forthcoming book, "Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan." I'm so pleased by how it turned out! Artwork by @briannaduggan.bsky.social. Pre-order now at Bloomsbury or wherever you buy your books online. www.bloomsbury.com/us/theology-... - ThreadSky

jmayward.bsky.social • 8 days ago

Here's the cover for my forthcoming book, "Theology and the Films of Christopher Nolan." I'm so pleased by how it turned out! Artwork by @briannaduggan.bsky.social. Pre-order now at Bloomsbury or wherever you buy your books online. https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/theology-and-the-films-of-christopher-nolan-9781978711587/

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jmayward.bsky.social•8 days ago

This book project began in Sept 2019 when I was nearing the end of my PhD at the Institute for Theology, Imagination and the Arts at St Andrews. My PhD research focused on the Dardenne brothers, and was eventually published as my first academic monograph. https://www.routledge.com/The-Dardenne-Brothers-Cinematic-Parables-Integrating-Theology-Philosophy/Mayward/p/book/9781032302072

jmayward.bsky.social•8 days ago

I wondered whether my approach for viewing film as theology (what I call “theocinematics”) could be applied to films outside of international arthouse cinema. Was there was a contemporary filmmaker whose movies were the opposite of the Dardennes’ documentary-like social realism?

jmayward.bsky.social•8 days ago

This director would have to be a recognized auteur who made Hollywood blockbuster films that were highly expressionistic/formalist, contained lots of exposition directly explaining its ideas and themes, and which embraced familiar genre conventions while forgoing typical chronological narratives.

jmayward.bsky.social•8 days ago

Like the Dardennes, their films would also need to consistently explore theological themes and concerns, as well as generate transcendent cinematic experiences for the audience without being outright “religious” movies. And it would help if I personally liked this filmmaker’s movies.

jmayward.bsky.social•8 days ago

One director came to mind. This book is the result. I began writing it in 2019 before TENET was released, and completed the manuscript in summer 2024 after OPPENHEIMER won Best Picture at the Academy Awards. https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/theology-and-the-films-of-christopher-nolan-9781978711587/

jmayward.bsky.social•8 days ago

It's the most "fun" or playful academic book I've written. The chapter on MEMENTO is structured backwards: you begin with the Conclusion and read until you end with the Introduction. The chapter on THE PRESTIGE follows the pattern of a magic trick: The Pledge, The Turn, and The Prestige.

lph13.bsky.social•8 days ago

That's an interesting choice of director. I've never thought about Nolan's films in those terms so I'll have to give your book a read.

dodgyboffin.com•4 days ago

This rocks

mclengthyname.bsky.social•4 days ago

Looks awesome, Joel. That cover from Brianna rocks.

joelclarkson.bsky.social•8 days ago

Looks fab! Major congrats!

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