Cinematic Callings is part of a five-part lecture series titled ‘The Cinematic Sacred.’ The cinematic sacred is found wherever motion pictures depict something as worthy of reverent celebration, contemplation, remembrance, or protection, either by displaying its excellence positively or by evoking horror at its violation, destruction, or profanation. This lecture series will argue that the cinematic sacred merits the level of scholarly attention that the related genres of melodrama, suspense, and horror have already received. Its principal expressions include some of the most admired, moving, and controversial movies there have been, as well as notably interesting failures. Together, they constitute a global, cross-tradition conversation - conducted in cinematic language - on matters of high importance.