Act of God

This is the trailer for a superb documentary I saw this week entitled "Act of God" which centres around the metaphysical effects of being struck by lightning. These events represent the paradox of being singled out by randomness and precipitate questions about chance, fate and meaning in life. The film explores seven stories from around the world that raise and respond to these questions, while keeping the sky and what comes out of it as a central visual metaphor and thread. Paul Auster, who was struck as a teenager, philosophically anchors the film, along with Fred Frith, the improviser, who both imaginatively underpins it and personally demonstrates the ubiquity of electricity in our bodies and the universe.



What I found most striking about the show was the footage from Santa Maria del Rio, Mexico where five children were killed when lightning struck a large metal cross they were praying under at the top of a mountain (not exactly the best place to be during a thunderstorm). I'm not sure if I have ever seen a more pathetic caricature of religious faith than the interview of the mother of two children describing how it must have been God's will. I wanted to cry and scream at the same time.

If you get the chance to catch this show, please do. You'll be glad you did.