Film Swap Ep. 36 - Keeping the Faith! First Reformed, The Elephant Man and Flowers of St. Francis

In this thought-provoking episode of *Film Swap*, hosts David and Jonathan are joined by special guest David Blakeslee of the *Criterion Reflections* podcast for a deep dive into three powerful films that explore themes of faith, suffering, and redemption. The trio discusses Paul Schrader’s *First Reformed*, David Lynch’s *The Elephant Man*, and Roberto Rossellini’s *The Flowers of St. Francis*—each a unique portrayal of spiritual struggles and human resilience.

From the existential crisis of Ethan Hawke’s troubled priest in *First Reformed* to the poignant, heart-wrenching tale of John Merrick in *The Elephant Man*, and finally to the meditative, compassionate portrayal of St. Francis in Rossellini’s masterpiece, this episode offers rich insights into the intersection of cinema and spirituality.

Tune in as David, Jonathan, and David Blakeslee unpack the visual and narrative choices that make these films timeless and compelling, while exploring the enduring relevance of faith in the modern world.

Film Swap Homepage: filmswap.uk

David Blakeslee's podcasts and blog can be found at Criterioncast.com

Transcript of David Lynch interview: https://longair.net/mark/random/david-lynch/

Full David Lynch interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIlmdLPUdpg