Easter and the equinox connection
Beamafilm
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15/04/2022
Did you know that Easter celebrations date back to pre-historic spring equinox festivals in the Northern Hemisphere, long before the advent of Christianity? Early life revolved around the patterns of nature, and equinox festivals usually celebrated themes of new life emerging from the winter landscape.
In the period following the life and death of Jesus Christ, pagan equinox festivals began to incorporate examples of his death and resurrection into their celebrations. Conversely, chicken eggs and baby bunnies have been incorporated as symbols of new life into Christian Easter celebrations, thus blurring the lines between these two festivals. The official date of Easter, when Christ’s resurrection is said to have taken place, is now celebrated on different dates from one year to the next. This is because Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox instead of on a fixed date associated with the resurrection.
Easter eggs and Easter bunnies, icons of the pagan equinox, are now used to celebrate Easter, the holiest of Christian festivals.
Beamafilm's Easter long weekend watchlist, below, features the stunning biopic, Mary Magdalene, starring Rooney Mara, and Joaquin Phoenix who plays a remarkable Jesus Christ. We've also selected a range of other great films about new life along with some chicken and baby animal films in the spirit of the season. Don't miss our most recently added films which are also featured below, including the multi-award-winning Pan's Labyrinth and Driving Miss Daisy alongside Camino Skies and Hermitage: the Power of Art.
Watch for FREE with a participating library card or on a 30-day trial. Also, you can rent a film for 48 hours.
Twelve men heard and spread the message of Jesus. Only one woman understood it.
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In Italy 1327, accompanied by his apprentice, a Franciscan monk journeys to an isolated abbey in the Alps for a canonical function, only to discover that the abbey is now witness to several, mysterious murders.
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Unlikely Friends explores how the power of forgiveness between victim and perpetrator can affect change within the criminal justice system.
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This infectious documentary offers a lovely portrait of the resilient power of nature and the inspiring, good-natured manager of the Hinewai Nature Reserve, Hugh Wilson.
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An honest and good-hearted priest wrestles with a cynical, spiteful community after he receives a death threat from an unknown parishioner.
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Join members of the 148-year-old Christchurch Poultry, Bantam and Pigeon Club in the lead up to the NZ National Show, as they battle each other in their quest for glory.
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Michael Sheen stars as Jesus of Nazareth in this contemporary re-telling of the Passion taking inspiration from one of the defining narratives of our times.
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Priest, irreverent philosopher and working class hero.
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Two 17th-century Portuguese missionaries, embark on a perilous journey to Japan to find their missing mentor. If caught, they must renounce their faith or face a prolonged and agonizing death.
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What does Cyrano de Bergerac do at a chicken farmer in Brittany? This is the problem of Raymond, who has always kept his passion for theatre hidden until he decides to perform on the internet with his pet chicken to save his farm.
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Ailo's Journey is an inspirational story, in which a bleak wilderness is warmed by a mother's endless love as she watches over her baby as he embarks on incredible adventures with other creatures of the Arctic.
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After the arrival of Tasmania’s first detention centre, local knitting club member Mary and Afghan asylum seeker Mohammad connect through the gift of a donated knitted beanie.
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A year in the garden with 90-year-old Sister Loyola Galvin.
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Living with her tyrannical stepfather in a new home with her pregnant mother, 10-year-old Ofelia feels alone until she explores a decaying labyrinth guarded by a mysterious faun who claims to know her destiny. If she wishes to return to her real father, Ofelia must...
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An old Jewish woman and her African-American chauffeur in the American South have a relationship that grows and improves over the years.
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Heart-breaking and inspirational, ‘Camino Skies’ is an uplifting story about everyday people doing the extraordinary.
Join us on a visually stunning journey through the daily life of the magnificent Hermitage museum, and retrace two and a half centuries of legendary art and history.
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