"We can use the aesthetic analysis techniques of cinema to study religions". So said S. Brent Plate, Adjunct Professor of programs of study Religious at Hamilton College (USA), at Institute for Culture and Society (ICS). The expert gave a lecture entitled 'Religion and Cinema', invited by the project 'Religion and Civil Society'.

In his opinion, the successes of locker and religions have much in common, Plate argues, since both provide a place of social cohesion and a feeling of belonging to a certain group: in films, the followers, and in confessions, the faithful.

With certain movies, such as 'Star Wars' or 'Lord of the Rings,' going to the movies is similar to a religious ritual: "You dress in a certain way, you go to a certain place at a certain time and with a group of people who form a community," he says.

    Based on the similarities between cinematic constructions and religions, Plate has considered comparing the aesthetic techniques used in both in his research. One example is the use of sound: "In religious traditions, sounds warn the faithful," he says. "In Islam, you know it's time to pray when you hear the adhan; in Christianity, when you hear the bells you go to mass. Even in Buddhism, you ring a bell to call for meditation," he adds. In movies, sound also serves to anticipate what is going to happen.

    In addition to publishing books on religion and film, Plate has also written about blasphemy in art throughout history. According to the expert, art is not blasphemous in itself, but has to provoke someone, it needs a reaction.

While the professor considers freedom of expression essential, he says it also carries with it a responsibility. "We live in a time of demographic change. People of other religions, cultures and languages must live together," he concluded.