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This DVD explores expressions of faith in the lives of young people. Six filmmakers each examine a different religion: Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Indigenous, and Alternative. Many questions are asked throughout, the main one being 'What are the common threads?'

As a Canon of St Paul's Cathedral, Gippsland, I was pleased to see Christian young people giving good explanations of what their faith meant to them. A service held in a charismatic church was shown, complete with rock band up front.

The Muslim youngsters were filmed during their Ramadan festival, and, unlike the other young people of other religions, more than one interviewee said that their parents wanted them to learn more about Islam.

However, I was brought up short when youngsters said that God is energy, not a person. Surely the Qu'ran talks of God (Allah) as a person?

Those of the Alternative religion had some interesting things to say, including 'Nature is the place of worship'. I wasn't sure whether they meant God's creation, or whether they were worshipping the elements – there was certainly a lot of fire involved.

Unlike the other religions, it was left to a Buddhist monk, the Venerable Dao, to explain what Buddhism was about. When young Buddhists were interviewed, several indicated they were in the temple only because of parental pressure to attend 'some celebration'. I was left feeling that these young people really didn't know what Buddhism was all about.

Why no Judaism? There are few Jews in Darebin, but to get a wholistic picture of the three monotheistic faiths, surely Faith: the Art of Believing should have included Judaism.

This project was undertaken to encourage young filmmakers as well as to explain different beliefs, which probably accounts for the unevenness across the six contributions. While this DVD would be of interest mainly to students in comparative religion or introductory filmmaking classes, it does make a positive contribution. I was particularly glad to hear that all those interviewed praised Australia for its religious tolerance.

Review by Donald Crewe