Paper short abstract:

Camera, sound, editing: Karin Leivategija Superivision: Dr. Andrew Irving Editorial advice: Andy Lawrence, Angela Torresan, Lorenzo Ferrarini

Paper long abstract:

Director: Karin Leivategija

Runtime in minutes: 26

Year of production: 2014

Location: Estonia

Production/distribution: The University of Manchester, UK.

TITLE: The Sacred in the Secular

TAGLINE: The Absolute is not only at church, the Absolute is everywhere.

My film explores the relationship between secular and religious life. The main protagonist, Toomas Erikson, is an Estonian Orthodox clergyman who as well is deeply committed to music. He expresses that commitment through being an Ethno and Reggae music DJ and working as a presenter at radio. It is a combination that comes across as surprising and raises questions even in a largely secular country like Estonia.The secular world tends to look at Christianity through a prism of stereotypes. Due to the conservative history of the church it is often believed that there is no place for liberal expression in religious life. During my research I set out to explore whether the gap between religious and secular life is as wide as it is typically assumed.

"Ethno and Reggae music generally invites people to give meaning to the world in a very amicable way. I could say that it is the same thing that I do at church. Just through different symbols. Because the Absolute is not only at church, the Absolute is everywhere." - Toomas Erikson