Are there spiritual hazards in having fictional demons in movies?

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Ben_Sinner

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I am a film maker and am interested in making a horror movie that is slightly inspired by the lives of St. Padre Pio and St. John Vianney and their bouts with the devil.

This would require some actors to interact with other actors who are playing demons.

Is this spiritually harmful? Such as, could one become possessed or something from interacting with fictional demonic characters and also playing the role of a fictional demonic character?

There are scenes where the demons harass the protagonist and the protagonists talks to them (mostly telling them to go away evil creatures, etc. that type of thing)

This is the thing that is keeping me from turning the green light on this project.
 
Ben_Sinner said:
I am a film maker and am interested in making a horror movie that is slightly inspired by the lives of St. Padre Pio and St. John Vianney and their bouts with the devil.

This would require some actors to interact with other actors who are playing demons.

Is this spiritually harmful? Such as, could one become possessed or something from interacting with fictional demonic characters and also playing the role of a fictional demonic character?

There are scenes where the demons harass the protagonist and the protagonists talks to them (mostly telling them to go away evil creatures, etc. that type of thing)

This is the thing that is keeping me from turning the green light on this project.
Click to expand...
If you do the movie:
  1. DO NOT MAKE IT SENSATIONAL. What I mean by that is that the scenes are done with respect and modesty and not for stirring up emotions- no sensational effect. This does not mean it has to be ‘flat’, it just means you aren’t trying to make something look hotter or more wild or more ‘anything’ than what it actually is. In your communication, your artistry, you must avoid being flashy… hope that makes sense. I’m trying to say convey these scenes respectfully towards God, not aimed at what viewers might find sickly interesting.
  2. DO NOT MAKE IT UNTRUTHFUL or deviate from the truth, even just a little bit to sensationalize it. You are portraying Holy people… make sure you do it with extreme reverence- The saints are friends of God after all. The way you portray them will effect viewers. You do not want to be responsible for tarnishing the image of Holy saints. Keep things truthful… or you will ruin INTEGRITY and thus, nothing of your work will last nor be effective. STICK TO THE TRUTH and nothing but the truth. Make sure that doing God’s will through your work is first and foremost your motivation. Keep it accurate as possible.
I’m not sure if you know the history of vaudeville (movies, cinema, etc) and what the Church had to say about it. To put it bluntly, The church never supported ‘acting’ plays and shows until recent times when it started to become acceptable to use the medium for teaching purposes. You can read up on the history between the two on the internet.

Secondly, yes, I think what you are concerned about could happen, but I believe if people working on the film were deeply Christian and their hearts devoted to Christ and motivated to do what they do for God’s purpose, then they would be protected… though all this is my opinion and not any teaching of the Church that I know of. I mean, who really knows!? No one does.

I’d suggest that if you went ahead on the project, after prayer and sensing it was 'ok’ed by God to do, then on the day of shooting the film, have all on the set get together and pray- invite a priest to lead the group in prayer to evoke God’s blessing, guidance and protection on the project. Enlist spiritual help from those who God has called to be spiritual help.

I would not make a movie like this unless I felt called by God to do it for Him and I would do it with devotion and supreme respect. That’s just me personally.
 
Ben_Sinner said:
I am a film maker and am interested in making a horror movie that is slightly inspired by the lives of St. Padre Pio and St. John Vianney and their bouts with the devil.

This would require some actors to interact with other actors who are playing demons.

Is this spiritually harmful? Such as, could one become possessed or something from interacting with fictional demonic characters and also playing the role of a fictional demonic character?

There are scenes where the demons harass the protagonist and the protagonists talks to them (mostly telling them to go away evil creatures, etc. that type of thing)

This is the thing that is keeping me from turning the green light on this project.
Click to expand...
Perhaps you should get some spiritual direction from an authentic exorcist on this topic.
There could be perhaps demonic attachments I am not sure about full possession. I would definitely pray a prayer of protection before filming and after and all involved should pray it together.
These prayers are used in ministry and not sure how you could use them in your movie production because your not filming something positive that relates to healing?
I’ve added some links at the bottom for contacting an exorcist.
Prayer for Protection

In the name of Jesus Christ and by the power of his Cross and his Blood, we bind up the power of any evil spirits and command them not to block our prayers. We bind up the powers of earth, air, water, fire, the netherworld and the satanic forces of nature.

We break any curses, hexes or spells sent against us and declare them null and void. We break the assignments of any spirits sent against us and send them to Jesus to deal with them as he will. Lord, we ask you to bless our enemies by sending your Holy Spirit to lead them to repentance and conversion.

Furthermore, we bind all interaction and communication in the world of evil spirits as it affects us and our ministry.

We ask for the protection of the shed blood of Jesus Christ over (Name).

Thank you, Lord, for your protection and send your angels, especially St. Michael, the Archangel, to help us in the battle. We ask you to guide us in our prayers: share with us your Spirit’s power and compassion. Amen.

PRAYER TO BE SET FREE- Cutting Free Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for sharing with us Your wonderful ministry of healing and deliverance. Thank You for the healings we have seen and experienced today.

We realize that the sickness and evil we encounter is more than our humanity can bear, so cleanse us of any sadness, negativity or despair that we may have picked up. If our ministry has tempted us to anger, impatience or lust, cleanse us of those temptations and replace them with love, joy and peace.

If any evil spirits have attached themselves to us or oppressed us in any way, we command you, spirits of earth, air, fire, water, the netherworld or the satanic forces of nature, to depart – now – and go straight to Jesus Christ for Him to deal with you as He will.

Come Holy Spirit: renew us – fill us anew with Your power, Your life and Your joy. Strengthen us where we have felt weak and clothe us with Your light. Fill us with life. Lord Jesus, please send Your holy angels to minister to us and our families – guard us and protect us from all sickness, harm and accidents. (Give us a safe trip home.)

We praise You now and forever, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and we ask these things in Jesus’ Holy Name that He may be glorified. AMEN.

– prayers by Dr. Francis MacNutt

Here are some links that may be helpful:

Interview with an Exorcist
by Fr. Jose Antonio Fortea
In today’s culture of scientific enlightenment, many consider belief in demonic possession and exorcism to be superstitious remnants of the Dark Ages. Even many Christians, contrary to the clear words of Jesus in the Gospel, scoff at the notion that the Devil and demons really exist. Is demonic possession real? Are believers really in any danger from Satan and his crafty minions? What is the truth about exorcism? This book has these answers, and much more! 100 questions and answers!
ascensionpress.com/products/interview-with-an-exorcist
fortea.us/english/index.htm

What You Need to Know About Exorcism, The Devil, Evil Spirits and Spiritual Warfare, an interview by Patrick Coffin with Exorcist Fr. Gary Thomas.
catholic.com/magazine/articles/interview-with-an-exorcist
 
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