Freshman Grayson Barlow takes notes during the film
Elon University hosted a screening and discussion of the philosophical film “Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero”. The film explores the spiritual experiences and journeys of the victims and survivors of the attacks on the World Trade Centers.
Students look on as the screening begins
As LaRose Theater began to fill there was an uncharacteristic silence in the audience. The typical chatter and buzz that accompanies the anticipation of the commencement of an event was absent. If people did speak it was in hushed whispers, as if they were scared to be the one who broke the silence.
The somber mood carried through to the end of the film, as the lights came up people seemed to snap out of the two-hour trance they had been under. It was still a few moments before anyone raised their hands for the Question and Answer that followed the film.
The detailed notes of a viewer
“That was way sadder than what I was ready for,” said Elon freshman Grayson Barlow. “I didn’t even know anyone that died that day but I still felt like it was personally affecting me.”
Once the moderator was able to coax the audience out of their stupor there was a wide variety of reactions to the film. Some people found it to be consistent with what they expected, while others were put off by the claims the people in the film made.
A member of the audience offers her opinion during the Q&A
The moderator listens to a question from the audience
Elon junior Jessie Berman said about the film, “That genuinely made me uncomfortable. I kind of felt like they were trying to tell me how I should feel and I just wasn’t buying it.”
After three-and-a-half hours the Q&A came to a conclusion and the audience filtered out of the theater. But just like the beginning of the film a few hours earlier, accompanied by the foreign thing that defined the event: silence.
For a list of upcoming cultural events visit Elon University’s website.
Elon University Event Calendar
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