During the past two years we have seen an unusual abundance of films in the mythological and fairytale genre. In particular, with the appearance ofHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, andStar Wars Episode II: The Attack of the Clones, we have witnessed an unprecedented number of films of mythic character that have captured our collective imagination. As all these films arrived in theaters after September 11th, there is a synchronistic aspect to their appearance given the apocalyptic fears and fantasies that have gripped many people’s psyches. In each of these stories, a growing evil power would dominate the world in which the story is set. We will take glimpses of each of these films in order to explore the relevance of each story and its central characters to the journey of individuation in our times.
Steven Galipeau, M.A., M.Div., is a Jungian analyst in private practice in Studio City. A faculty member and lecturer at the C.G.Jung Institute of LosAngeles, he is the author ofThe Journey of Luke Skywalker: An Analysis of Modern Myth and Symbol.
Part of the 4-part weekly lecture series: THE MOVING IMAGE: A JUNGIAN PERSPECTIVE ON FILM
The most we can do is to dream the myth onwards and give it a modern dress. ~ C.G.Jung
Movies ensoul our lives. They coax us into the imaginal realm where we participate in story and myth. At the movies we travel the world, journey through space, fall in love, witness murder and tragedy, undergo breathtaking adventure and laugh with silliness and joy. Much like dreams and active imagination, movies allow the expression and the experience of both personal and collective material. Movies carry us forward into myth in modern dress: The Moving Image.
This year, the C.G. Jung Club of Orange County presents our annual conference and lecture series in a combined format to both interpret and, perhaps more importantly, experience the potential that is the moving image in film. Join us for a daylong event followed by three consecutive evening lectures, and a final meeting for informal discussion and community interchange. See you there!