This guide helps your Quaker meeting explore a book with spiritual themes and connect it to a film experience. You can use it for anti-racism work, spiritual growth, worship sharing, and community building.

What Is a Multimedia Deep Dive?

A multimedia deep dive is a meeting event where:

  • people read a book together,
  • then watch a movie that links to the book,
  • and talk about what it meant to them.

A good deep dive in a Quaker tradition goes beyond discussion. It can be a powerful experience helping Friends to connect the source material to their spiritual lives.

Start With a Great Book

Choose a book that has deep spiritual themes. Think about justice, faith, community, healing, or identity.

Example: The Color Purple by Alice Walker

  • This novel tells the story of Celie, a woman who grows into her own strength and sense of God. Wikipedia
  • The Color Purple encourages reflection on the inner self and “that of God in everyone”—a core Quaker idea. Friends General Conference

Helpful Tips for Book Selection

  • Pick a book that is available at libraries or easy to borrow.
  • Make sure participants can access it in print, ebook, or audiobook.
  • Warn your group if the book contains strong themes—so people can choose wisely.

Pair It With a Film

After reading, plan a movie outing or group viewing of a film linked to the book.

How to Watch Together

  • Go to a regular theater showing as a group. This is an excellent option if a meeting has advance notice of a film debut.
  • Rent a community room or meetinghouse and stream the film.
  • Host a virtual movie night if people are far apart.

Film Example That Matches The Color Purple Book

  • The Color Purple (2023 film) – This version comes from the Broadway musical based on the book and tells the story in a new way.
  • The Color Purple (1985 film). This version is the original adaptation starring Whoopi Goldberg as Celie.

Themes to Discuss Together

After reading and watching, host a group discussion. You can use worship sharing or structured questions.

Sample Queries

  • What did this story teach you about God within each person?
  • How did the book and film show caring, struggle, or hope?
  • What parts of the story remind you of your own life or community?
  • How did your feelings change after reading versus watching?

Plan a Safe and Respectful Space

Some books and films include hard topics like racism, abuse, or inequality. It’s okay to talk about these things, but make time for care and listening.

Ways to support thoughtful discussion

  • Start with a quiet moment or worship.
  • Invite a facilitator to guide the conversation.
  • Use “oops & ouch” language to help people speak gently.

Other Book + Film Pair Ideas

You can choose many different books and pair them with films that match big ideas like peace, courage, faith, or forgiveness.

Story Pairs to Consider

  • Book:A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
    Film:A Wrinkle in Time (2018)
    • Themes: inner strength, love, and cosmic wonder.
  • Book:The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
    Film:The Hiding Place (1975)
    • Themes: forgiveness, trust in God during hard times.
  • Book:To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
    Film:To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
    • Themes: justice, compassion, and moral courage.

More Pairings

  • The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
  • The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
  • Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
  • The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
  • The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
  • The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
  • A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, inspired by Siobhan Dowd
  • His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
  • Beloved by Toni Morrison
  • Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

    Bring Your Meeting Together

    Final Steps

    1. Set a calendar date for reading, viewing, and discussion.
    2. Share access options (libraries, video links, film showtimes).
    3. Invite participants through email, announcements, or social media. Don’t to forget newcomers and friends you haven’t met yet!
    4. Create a welcoming and respectful space for everyone.

    Go Deeper With More Resources

    Your meeting can link this activity with FGC’s wider resources, like:

    These will help you explore the themes more fully together.

    Last updated December 16, 2025.

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