The Oppression of Sin in Ryan Coogler’s Sinners

Fr. David Subu joins host Cindy Collins Smith for an exploration of Ryan Coogler’s multi-layered film and its depiction of the wages of sin. Sinners is unabashedly a vampire movie - not sexy vampires, not reluctant vampires, not vegetarian or sparkly vampires. Vampires. Monstrous beings who entice their victims with promises of unity, family, freedom, and endless music, only to leave them enslaved to their passions and incapable of authentic communion. And they are not the only monstrosity in the film. The folk song closing this episode plays a significant role in Coogler’s film. This live performance was captured on a lo-fi Sony cassette recorder during Fourth of July weekend in 1994 and features John Breen (of The Lads) on vocals and 12-string guitar, with Cindy on accordion. The band is Gael Force Winds. The venue is the old Santa Monica pub 14 Below.