"The Wages of Cinema: Looking through the Lens of Dorothy L. Sayers" a lecture and book signing at the Wade

The Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College presents "The Wages of Cinema: Looking through the Lens of Dorothy L. Sayers," a book signing by Crystal L. Downing (PhD, University of California, Santa Barbara) on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM.

The Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College presents "The Wages of Cinema: Looking through the Lens of Dorothy L. Sayers," a lecture and book signing by Dr. Crystal Downing, on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM. In a captivating realm where cinematic narratives enchant countless viewers, how can one harmonize their faith with the craft of filmmaking? Downing’s new book, The Wages of Cinema (IVP Academic) encourages a deep dive into this question, drawing upon Dorothy L. Sayers’ Trinitarian view of creativity and her enchantment with theater and film. The book uses examples ranging from the timeless genius of Charlie Chaplin to the cultural phenomenon of Barbie, illustrating how film theory can be enriched by the truths of the Christian faith.    

Crystal L. Downing (PhD, University of California, Santa Barbara) has published six books, including Salvation from Cinema: The Medium Is the Message, and Subversive: Christ, Culture, and the Shocking Dorothy L. Sayers, which received a Publishers Weekly starred review, as did her book Changing Signs of Truth, which is required reading in seminaries around the world. Formerly Distinguished Professor of English and Film Studies at Messiah College in Pennsylvania, Crystal Downing accepted a position as Co-Director of the Marion E. Wade Center and Co-holder of the Marion E. Wade Chair in Christian Thought at Wheaton College: a position she shared with her husband, C. S. Lewis scholar David C. Downing from 2018 to 2024.  

This event is free and open to the public and will take place in Marion E. Wade Center, Room 130 Bakke Auditorium, located at 351 East Lincoln Avenue in Wheaton on the Northwest corner of campus at the intersection of Washington Street and Lincoln Avenue. For more information, contact the Wade Center at 630.752.5908 or wade@wheaton.edu.