(RNS) Following is a brief synopsis of the major films dealing with faith, religion or spirituality at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival:
“Abraxas” — A depressed Buddhist monk tries to reconnect with his punk rock past.
“The Catechism Cataclysm” — A young priest who’s lost touch with his flock reconnects with a high school acquaintance for a canoe trip.
“Higher Ground” — Vera Farmiga, the Oscar-nominated actress from “Up In The Air,” directs and stars in this movie about a woman seeking answers from a fundamentalist Christian community.
“Kinyarwanda” — The first dramatic feature film produced by Rwandans intertwines six accounts of survival during the Rwandan genocide, including stories about a priest and an imam.
“The Ledge” — An atheist says he must leap off a building by noon in a thriller that also examines the life of a woman seeking spiritual redemption.
“Lost Kisses” — Residents in a Sicilian community suspect a 13-year-old girl has a miraculous vision.
“Martha Marcy May Marlene” — A woman who fled a dangerous cult tries to return to a life of normalcy.
“Position Among The Stars” — The final installment of a documentary trilogy that follows the life of a Christian matriarch living with her Muslim sons in Jakarta, Indonesia.
“The Redemption of General Butt Naked” — A former Liberian warlord who’s responsible for the murder of thousands seeks salvation and forgiveness as an evangelical preacher in this documentary.
“Red State” — Kevin Smith, who caused controversy with his scathing comedy “Dogma,” tries out horror with this film about dangerous Christian fundamentalists.
“Salvation Boulevard” — George Ratliff, director of the documentary “Hell House” about a church-run haunted house, directs this satire of megachurch culture. Starring Pierce Brosnan, Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Connelly, Marisa Tomei and Ed Harris.
“Tyrannosaur” — Actor Paddy Considine (“In America”) makes his directorial debut with this story of a self-destructive man who seeks redemption with help from a Christian charity worker.