We are thrilled to announce that our CEO and Head of Production, Dr. Jenn Lindsay, has been featured front-page on Corriere del Trentino.
In the interview, Jenn discusses how storytelling through film can be a powerful medium for raising awareness and fostering dialogue around such critical topics. She emphasizes the importance of using media to build bridges across cultural and religious divides, sparking conversations that can lead to meaningful change.
You can read the original article in Italian here.
English Translation of the Article:
Violence and Religion: Jenn Lindsay's Film Premieres Worldwide in Trento - "Anger Stems from Political Crusades"
By Martina Dei Cas
September 15, 2024, 3:18 PM
At the Religion Film Festival, the Californian director presents her film on extremism and artificial intelligence.
Can artificial intelligence prevent an attack? This is the question posed by Californian director Jenn Lindsay, who will present her documentary Simulating Religious Violence in its world premiere on September 20th in Trento. The film is the result of nine years of research and three years of filming across the United States, Norway, and Greece. The screening will take place at Cinema Modena (8 PM) as part of the Religion Today Film Festival. A Stanford graduate with a specialization in Arts Management from Yale, a master’s in religious studies from Columbia, and a PhD in sociology from Boston University, Lindsay moved to Rome in 2012 to pursue a doctorate on interreligious dialogue. She currently lives in Rome with her Italian husband and teaches at John Cabot University.
Jenn Lindsay, how did your passion for cinema begin?
"In 2005, when I was living in New York, a friend who was a reality show producer hired me to edit archival footage for MTV. That job made me fall in love with storytelling on screen. I would imagine how to shape the characters and connect them with a story. However, the reality show was canceled. I didn't give up and continued filming with a low-cost camera, capturing the spontaneity of everyday life—like a man on the subway or a woman walking her dog. I was convinced it would remain a hobby."
How did your passion turn into a profession?
"One day, philosopher Wesley J. Wildman called me. He said he needed to explain the results of academic research to a general audience, and remembering my experience at MTV, he thought of me. That was when I began documenting the people I studied as a researcher—people of faith—on video."
Are you religious, do you believe?
"No. And precisely because of that, I’m fascinated by religion—by its creative power, or destructive power."
Is there more or less religious sentiment today compared to the past?
"Among Europeans and Americans, there is less. Since the 18th century, religious vitality in the West has been declining. In Latin America, evangelicals have outnumbered Catholics, and by 2070, there will be more Muslims than Christians. The true minority is the agnostics and atheists, who represent 12%."
What about the situation in Italy?
"Seventy-six percent of Italians identify as Catholic. Fourteen percent practice. When I moved to Rome, I saw churches filled with tourists more than worshippers. Then I discovered that even those who don’t attend mass still baptize their children for tradition. In Italy, faith is something you belong to. It’s part of the identity."
Identity is the central theme of your film Simulating Religious Violence, right?
"Yes. The documentary addresses radicalization, starting with the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Professor Wildman worked nearby and, along with other colleagues, began to explore how their research in modeling and computer programming could be used to prevent extremism and ensure better integration. The film follows a group of academics across the United States, Norway, and the island of Lesbos in Greece."
Who is most at risk of radicalization?
"The second-generation immigrants. Refugees and asylum seekers don't commit the attacks, but their children do."
How does radicalization happen?
"Consider the way the media and certain politicians portray Islam. The goal is to create a common enemy and mobilize the native population for a crusade. Muslim children are then stereotyped, which can lead them to truly feel 'bad' or suffer from an identity crisis. Add to this the discrimination their parents face and the influence of a charismatic leader who calls on them to respond with violence to protect their community."
How can we stop this?
"Politicians need to understand how harmful it is to use people living in their own country as a common enemy. The media, filmmakers, and authors can produce books, series, and films to raise awareness. And we, as citizens, need to avoid judging others before informing ourselves." ---
The opportunity to be featured on the front page of such a prestigious Italian newspaper is a significant achievement for both Jenn Lindsay and the entire So Fare Films team.
We extend our deepest thanks to Maria Dei Cas and Corriere del Trentino for capturing the essence of this conversation. It is through moments like these that we feel ever more motivated to continue creating powerful, meaningful content that makes a difference.
Stay tuned for more exciting updates from So Fare Films!
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