Crusaders for Life host movie event

By: Theresa Mull

Posted: 9/23/08

The University of Dallas Crusaders for Life started off their year of pro-life events on Wednesday, Sept. 17 with a screening of the film, "Gattaca." The movie night started off as all good cinematic showings do, with plenty of candy, soda and socializing. At 7 p.m., eager pro-lifers abandoned the refreshments that were being served outside and gathered inside Lynch Auditorium to view the Oscar-nominated science-fiction picture starring Ethan Hawke, Jude Law and Uma Thurman.

"Gattaca" is an exciting, complex, thought-provoking film. In it, Ethan Hawke's character, Vincent, longs to be an astronaut, but because he is deemed "genetically imperfect," he is considered unfit for such an intellectually-demanding job. Jude Law's character, who is genetically "perfect," aids Vincent in achieving his goal, and, with a few twists and turns along the way, Vincent is able to overcome what were his "shortcomings" and travel into space. The movie forces the issue of eugenics on its audience, begging viewers to consider how perverse the practices of genetic discrimination, alteration and technology can be.

The showing of "Gattaca" was chosen as the first event on the CFL calendar this year because, as Culture Officer Dani Schumer put it, "We wanted to show that CFL isn't just about the abortion issue. We're concerned about all forms of life such as genetic modification and cloning which can affect the culture of life."

The event was well-attended by veteran members of CFL and new-comers alike. Freshman Emily Lindsay had never seen the movie before, but said, "I think it's awesome that there are movies that present pro-life issues." At the conclusion of the film, a number of members stuck around for a brief discussion of the pro-life elements presented in "Gattaca." Freshman Erin Meacham left the auditorium, deeply impressed. She reacted to the film by saying, "The movie really made me consider where technologies are taking us today."

Be sure to keep an eye open for more upcoming CFL sponsored events. Sept. 23 marks the kick-off date and the Mardi Gras-style celebration for the "40 Days of Life" campaign and a diaper drive will be held starting next week.