Middle Ages in film: The return of the knights to the big screen!

Middle Ages in film: The return of the knights to the big screen!

In the film world of the Middle Ages, a fascinating interplay between historical material and modern social issues manifests itself. The film and lecture series “Medieval Movie (K)Nights”, organized by Gianni Pignone and Linda Mosig, brings this topic to the Karlstorkino in Heidelberg - a city known for its cultural diversity. The events provide a forum in which scholars from the History Seminar introduce the films shown and explain their historical context. On Mondays at 7 p.m., the medieval world can be experienced in a new way in the form of a cinema screen and lively discussions.

The films in the series are carefully selected and include classics such as “Braveheart” (1995) by Mel Gibson, “The Fellowship of the Ring” from the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy by Peter Jackson and “Robin and Marian” (1976) by Richard Lester. Each film screening is supplemented by a well-founded introduction: Private lecturer Dr. Christian Neumann introduces “Braveheart” while Dr. Michel Summer and the couple Prof. Dr. Jörg Peltzer and private lecturer Dr. Anja Peltzer accompany the other films. The organization's unique perspectives invite viewers to consider the medieval era not just as history, but as a living dialogue with the present.

Middle Ages in modern film

Medieval films have been very popular for years. This fascination is also reflected in the conference at the Center for Interdisciplinary Research at Bielefeld University, which examines the influence of films on images of history. Historians and film scholars are engaged in discussions about how modern films shape the perception of past eras. The complex interaction between historical knowledge and cinematic representation is clearly highlighted here, especially with regard to stereotypical ideas and their simplifications.

As documented by HSozkult, the conference's activities show that the Middle Ages are often used as a projection surface for current topics. Historical films are not only produced for entertainment, but also used as platforms to explain critical perspectives on current social issues. These considerations are crucial to understanding the differences between scientific research and cinematic narrative.

The influence of film on historical narrative

A notable development in modern film production is the increased inclusion of diverse perspectives in script design. An example of this is the upcoming film, inspired by Eric Jager's work “On Honor and Death: A Knightly Duel for a Woman's Life”. Nicole Holofcener, who co-wrote the screenplay with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, wants to give the film a female perspective. This novel approach is discussed by experts as both an advance and a strategic necessity to expand the representation of complex historical events.

The plot of the film follows the knight Jean de Carrouges, who fights against Jacques Le Gris to defend the honor of his wife, who accuses him of rape. This topic reflects both historical and modern issues of power, gender and justice and illustrates the relevance of film reporting for understanding and discourse on important social issues.

The upcoming events and discussions about the films offer the opportunity to shed more light on the relationship between the image of the Middle Ages in the media and social perception. An interdisciplinary approach that combines media and film theory with history and other areas is essential to explore the challenges and opportunities of telling history through film.