Movie Discussion: <The Sacrifice>

Hey dear friends :)

For this event, we will have a movie discussion -- 'The Sacrifice' directed by Andrei Tarkovsky: Alexander, a journalist, philosopher and retired actor, celebrates a birthday with friends and family when it is announced that nuclear war has begun. We will dissect this spiritual movie. Welcome to bring your questions and thoughts to the discussion!

Topics/questions to discuss:
1.Alexander: “Savages are more spiritual than we are. As soon as we achieve a scientific breakthrough, we put it at the service of evil. A wise man once said that everything that is unnecessary is a sin. If so, our entire civilization from beginning to end is built on sin. We have reached such a disharmony, imbalance between material and spiritual development. Our culture is a mistake, our civilization is essentially wrong.”

What’s spirituality? What’s the relationship between spirituality and religion?
How to understand the imbalance between material and spiritual development in Morden time?
Do humans alway put technology at the service of evil?
What’s the ‘net’ impact of technology on society?

2.What’s the function of each figure? Alexander; Adelaide (wife); Maria; Otto (postman); Victor (doctor); Martha (daughter); Julia; son (little man).

3.Tarkovsky: “Pictures, visual images, are far better able to achieve that end than any words, particularly now, when the word has lost all mystery and magic and speech has become mere chatter—empty of meaning, as Alexander observes. We are being stifled by a surfeit of information, yet at the same time our feelings remain untouched by the supremely important messages that could change our lives.”

How to understand that the word hast lost meaning?
Are pictures, visual images, are more powerful than words?

4.Some details: Why did Alexander put gun under the boy’s pillow?
Why did Victor give drug to everyone?
Why did Martha take off clothes chasing rooster?
Why did Otto keep combing his hair?
What did Alexander take from mud? What do coins (on the ground, in Maria’s home) mean?
The image of Mom, Alexander told the story about his Mom.

Strategies may help the discussion:
1.Please try to answer the question or ask a more fundamental one, rather than substitute with something else.
2.Please state your point first then support it by examples/explanations. We try to stick to the main topic, if you have many ideas/examples we can talk after the event :)
3.We try to let people finish the statements. However, if you talk too long without clear main points, we will intervene.
!!! You are kindly asked to sign up for events, or at least let hosts know before you come. You will be kicked out from the group after 3 times attending without registration.

!!! Please be careful that we will discuss in English :)

A reminder: Due to the capacity of our group, we will select sincere and interesting answers if there are too many people.

More about Philosophy Salon in Hamburg:

Hi! I am always curious about this world and want to figure everything out. What about you? Are you interested in philosophy, psychology, literature, sociology, history, or politics……? We can talk about everything you are into! Our Philosophy Salon Hamburg aims to provide a platform for inspiring, interesting conversation and discussion among interesting people. Since our salon is initiated to have deep conversation and discussion on some topics, we have limited seats for each event. Welcome to join us!