Alfred Hitchcock & The Übermensch

Week Three: Theology, Philosophy, & Film

Welcome to The Empathetic Imagination! This newsletter was born out of my interest in the relationship between the arts and spiritual formation, particularly the cultivation of empathy (which also led to my book). In this weekly newsletter, we will look at the connections between art, theology, and the hard work of being a loving, truthful human being. Thank you to all who subscribe, especially those who have opted for a paid subscription. This helps me to continue to do this work! Along with writing on the arts and theology, I will be offering some (non-credit) go–at–your-own–pace courses on these topics for paid subscribers.

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Hi, all!

I am excited to dive into another classic this week, Alfred Hitchcock’s psychological thriller, Rope (1948). It’s a fairly short film, all set in one room. And it is arguably one of Hitchcock’s best. In the film, two friends commit what they deem a “perfect murder” in order to prove the validity of Nietzsche’s theories about “superior” human beings.

We will be discussing the film this Sunday, March 17th, at 4 pm ET. I will post the Zoom link at the end of this message (for paid subscribers). I am excited to announce that Dr. Chris Hansen, filmmaker and Baylor University Film Professor, will be joining us for the discussion. I am particularly excited to hear Chris’ take on Hitchcock’s masterful editing techniques in this film that takes place in “real-time.” The camera shots and editing greatly enhance the philosophical questions and assertions of the film.