Mass: A conversation with Fran Kranz and Ann Dowd

Schenck Talks Bonhoeffer

In this special episode of Schenck Talks Bonhoeffer, TDBI’s President, Rev. Dr. Rob Schenck, and Executive Director, The Rev. Hope Christensen, sit down with “Mass” filmmaker, Fran Kranz, and renowned actor Ann Dowd to discuss their new, truth-telling film, “Mass.”

The filmmaker and actor give us behind-the-scenes insight of decisions made on and off-set, and how they sought to communicate forgiveness, grief, and grace in such a tragic film. TDBI’s namesake, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, had a few things to say about forgiveness, grief, and grace. This conversation gets into the intersections of the virtues of our namesake and how they show up in tragedy.

Fran Kranz tells us how he overcame the temptation of simplification that Dietrich Bonhoeffer warned us about – the temptation to label people as “good” or “bad” and miss the beautiful complexity that each human holds.

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“Mass” tells the story of two couples longing for understanding and connection. Years after an unspeakable tragedy tore their lives apart, two sets of parents (Jason Isaacs and Martha Plimpton, Reed Birney and Ann Dowd) meet in the basement of a small church to talk privately in an attempt to move forward. In Kranz’ writing and directing debut, he thoughtfully examines their journey of grief, anger, and acceptance by coming face-to-face with the ones who have been left behind. This timely film is a powerful vision of loss, grief, and reconciliation.

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Resources:

Mass Trailer

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