Film- The Passion of the Christ- what do you think? - Page 3 - PhillyBlog

peacemover · #21 (**permalink**) 02-18-2004, 03:22 PM

Excerpts from Diane Sawyer's interview with Mel Gibson (for full article go to: http://abcnews.go.com/sections/Prime..._040216-1.html ) :

Quote:

'Didn’t Want to Go On’

Gibson suggested his life was not quite as full of spirituality when he hit bottom about 13 years ago.

"I just didn't want to go on," he told Sawyer.

"Everyone's got something," he added. "I would get addicted to anything, anything at all. Okay? Doesn't matter what it is … drugs, booze, anything. You name it — coffee, cigarettes, anything. Alright? I'm just one of these guys who is like that. That's my flaw.

"I checked into a few places, and sorted myself out," Gibson said. "I didn't make a big noise about it. There's no point in doing that. You know? I mean, the real medal goes to my wife, who's a wonderful woman."

At his lowest, Gibson said he considered jumping out a window.

"I was looking down thinking, 'Man, this is just easier this way,' " he said. "You have to be mad, you have to be insane, to despair in that way. But that is the height of spiritual bankruptcy. There's nothing left."

The "spiritual bankruptcy" led him to reexamine Christianity, and ultimately to create The Passion of the Christ — "my vision … with God's help" of the final hours in the life of Jesus.

‘I Wanted it to Be Shocking’

Asked whether he considers his film the definitive depiction of the passion, Gibson said: "This is my version of what happened, according to the gospels and what I wanted to show — the aspects of it I wanted to show."

Some critics wonder if Gibson chose to portray the story too graphically.

Gibson admitted his version is "very violent," but added, "If you don't like it, don't go. … If you want to leave halfway through, go

"I wanted it to be shocking," Gibson said. "And I also wanted it to be extreme. I wanted it to push the viewer over the edge … so that they see the enormity — the enormity of that sacrifice — to see that someone could endure that and still come back with love and forgiveness, even through extreme pain and suffering and ridicule."

Foxman (a Jewish scholar) hopes viewers come away with that sort of message, rather than anger or bias.

"I hope that most people see it, Diane, as a passion of love," Foxman said. "Maybe when it's all over, in a sobering manner, we'll be able to come back and look each other in the face and say, 'We have to deal with this hatred that's still out there.'"

Gibson, too, wants dialogue.

"Let's get this out on the table and talk about it," he said. "This is what the Talmud says. This is what the Gospel says. Let's talk. Let's talk. People are asking questions about things that have been buried a long time."

"I hope it inspires introspection, and I think it does," Gibson said. "I want to inspire and make people feel."

Let's keep the conversation going...

Peace,

John

zogby blob · #22 (**permalink**) 02-18-2004, 03:30 PM

You're really starting to sound desparate.

Sponge · #23 (**permalink**) 02-18-2004, 04:44 PM

It sounds interesting and I have a lot of respect for Mel Gibson making this type of film when everyone in Hollywood seems sworn off any religion other than that cult, scientology. I will definitely go to see the film.

peacemover · #24 (**permalink**) 02-18-2004, 05:02 PM

Right on to that, Sponge!

It is interesting to me how we have a gazillion films filled with gratuitous violence, nudity and profanity and no one seems to bat an eyelash, but now we have one film that actually seeks to portray a story about the real F word (faith, that is), and it is hailed by critics as one of the most controversial films ever made.

Interesting commentary on contemporary culture, I think...

Very fitting though- part of the essence of the message of Jesus, as I understand it, is the call to be countercultural in our faith- to reach out to the least and lost with disregard to the cost of doing so. In our materialistic, individualistic society this is indeed a very controversial and radical message.

As I probably mentioned, I haven't seen the film, but have spoken to people who have. It is very accurate to the portrayal of Jesus in the Christian gospels, and painfully accurate and graphic in its depiction of the horror of crucifixion, including the gruesome practice of flogging. Those I have spoken with have told me that you cannot see the film and not be somehow moved, affected, or changed by it.

Peace,

J

Winston · #25 (**permalink**) 02-18-2004, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peacemover

Winston, that comment, whoever made it over @ the Vatican is certainly ill-advised and regrettable, but it has nothing to do with Gibson's film.

I didn't think it deserved its own thread, since the statement is so indefensible, so this seemed like the best place to put it. Besides, both the film and the reference to the holocaust are likely to anger Jews, so there is some relevance between the two.

As for the film itself, as an agnostic I have zero interest in seeing it. But, hey, different strokes for different folks.

peacemover · #26 (**permalink**) 02-18-2004, 05:36 PM

I think Mel may have been on to something when he said in the interview with Diane Sawyer: "Critics who have a problem with me don't really have a problem with me in this film," Gibson said. "They have a problem with the four Gospels. That's where their problem is."

Gibson also said there are no anti-semite allusions or intentions in the film, which I believe him when he says:

Quote:

Gibson insisted on Primetime he is no anti-Semite, and that anti-Semitism is "un-Christian" and a sin that "goes against the tenets of my faith."

Even for people who don't believe Jesus is or was the Christ, may be interested in seeing how such a figure started such a world-changing counter-cultural movement and to see the film- if for that reason alone.

He was willing to, and did die for his beliefs. Trouble believing in the Resurrection and the claims of the gospel?? Me too, and I am a Christian, but once I heard them, they put such a grip on me that I could not NOT believe if you know what I mean- I knew in my heart that it is true.

Faith has the power to change our lives if we allow it to.

I respect and recognize people of all faiths (and even those who have the courage to acknowledge they do not have or practice a faith). I want to gain a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives. I, like Gibson can only say to the world- this is what I believe, and know in my heart to be true.

Faith exceeds our human ability to prove, because it is beyond us- a power higher than our ability to comprehend. When the light bulb goes on in us, it has the power to change our lives forever. How or if we see that light is filtered through our cultural backgrounds and circumstances in life, but ultimately comes from that higher spiritual power.

The rest, I suppose, is what Kierkegaard, the great existential philosopher calls a leap of faith across the chasm of doubt.

Peace,

John

peacemover · #27 (**permalink**) 02-20-2004, 01:48 PM

There are a few more TV specials coming up about the film- one tonight on NBC @ 9pm, and another on the PAX network this Sunday evening. Here's a link and an excerpt from an article from today's NY Times-this particular journalist seems a bit jaded and overly cynical, but is representative of some members of the liberal media reaction to the film:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/20/ar...04c2815de08f09

Quote:

TV Watch: ’Passion’ (Contd): A Timid Debate

February 20, 2004
By ALESSANDRA STANLEY

Anyone who cannot bear to wait one more day to hear Aramaic
in a movie theater should be assuaged by "The Making of
`The Passion of the Christ,' " a behind-the-scenes look at
Mel Gibson's much-discussed film.

On Sunday on PAX TV, viewers can see snippets of dialogue
in Aramaic and Latin, with subtitles. There are interviews
with the director and crew members as well as scenes of Mr.
Gibson clowning with extras on location in Italy.

The word "Jews," on the other hand, is not uttered in this
documentary, which was made for Mr. Gibson's film company,
Icon Distribution Inc. Mr. Gibson does not allude to the
fierce debate over his depiction of Jews that engulfed his
film long before its release date. "The Passion of the
Christ" is scheduled to open next week - on Ash Wednesday.
The film's R-rated violence is shown only fleetingly on
PAX, a network devoted to religious and family programming
that was founded by Lowell (Bud) Paxson, the creator of the
Home Shopping Network and Christian Network Inc.

But there is a demonstration of how a nail was pounded into
a fake hand for a close-up of the Crucifixion.

The one thing missing from the documentary about the making
of the film are the passions that "The Passion of the
Christ" has aroused.

This is not surprising - promotional behind-the-scenes
documentaries rarely look too closely behind the scenes.
And in that sense, "The Making" fits in with the elliptical
approach the rest of television has taken to l'Affaire
Gibson. No other recently released movie has received as
much attention - and free publicity - on television news
programs, on talk shows, in newspapers and even at sports
events. (In last weekend's Daytona 500, Bobby Labonte drove
a car painted with a "The Passion of the Christ" logo.) Yet
television discussion about the "The Passion" has remained
oddly muted.

For those who want an investigative take on the events
surrounding the Crucifixion, tonight NBC plans to devote an
entire edition of "Dateline" to the debate over "The
Passion" by sending the show's anchor, Stone Phillips, to
Jerusalem to uncover what really happened in the last days
of Jesus's life.

Network and cable television usually come under fire for
going too far, like showing Janet Jackson's bare breast
during the Super Bowl. But the treatment of "The Passion"
underscores the timidity with which television handles
tricky subjects.

"Who killed Jesus?," the query now being being posed to
scholars, religious leaders and movie producers, is not at
the real heart of the controversy. In this latest battle in
the nation's culture wars, the unspoken question is, "Who
controls Hollywood?" Critics worry that Mr. Gibson's film,
which has already been embraced by Christian preachers as a
tool of evangelization, will reawaken old prejudices - not
that Jews are guilty of killing Christ, but that Jewish
liberals control the entertainment and media industries and
have imposed a secular, left-leaning bias on movies and
television.

. . . .

Dissident74 · #28 (**permalink**) 02-21-2004, 07:30 PM

Ahhh Jesus! My favorite fictional character! I have no plans in seeing this flick. This "controversy" is probably just well played PR work.

JenniferKronstain · #29 (**permalink**) 02-21-2004, 11:17 PM

This is really interesting - worth taking the time to read, worth thinking about. We all have different things we believe, but from reading this I gather that it's just simply great art.

I'm looking forward to it.

JK

<<Paul Harvey Comments on "The Passion" by Mel Gibson
Paul Harvey's words:

I really did not know what to expect. I was thrilled to have
been invited to a private viewing of Mel Gibson's film "The
Passion," but I had also read all the cautious articles and spin. I grew up in
a Jewish town and owe much of my own faith journey to the influence. I
have a life long, deeply held aversion to anything that might even
indirectly encourage any form of anti-Semitic thought, language or
actions.
I arrived at the private viewing for "The Passion," held in
Washington, DC and greeted some familiar faces. The environment was typically Washingtonian, with people greeting you with a smile but seeming to look beyond you, having an agenda beyond the words.
The film was very briefly introduced, without fanfare, and then the room darkened. From the gripping opening scene in the Garden of Gethsemane, to the very human and tender portrayal of the earthly ministry
of Jesus, through the betrayal, the arrest, the scourging, the way of the
cross, the encounter with the thieves, the surrender on the Cross, until
the final scene in the empty tomb, this was not simply a movie; it was
an encounter, unlike anything I have ever experienced.
In addition to being a masterpiece of film-making and an
artistic triumph, "The Passion" evoked more deep reflection, sorrow and
emotional reaction within me than anything since my wedding, my
ordination or the birth of my children. Frankly, I will never be the same. When
the film concluded, this "invitation only" gathering of "movers and
shakers" in Washington, DC were shaking indeed, but this time from
sobbing. I am not sure there was a dry eye in the place. The crowd that had been
glad-handing before the film was now eerily silent. No one could speak
because words were woefully inadequate. We had experienced a kind
of art that is a rarity in life, the kind that makes heaven touch
earth.
One scene in the film has now been forever etched in my mind.
A brutalized, wounded Jesus was soon to fall again under the
weight of the cross. His mother had made her way along the Via Della Rosa.
As she ran to him, she flashed back to a memory of Jesus as a child,
falling in the dirt road outside of their home. Just as she reached to
protect him from the fall, she was now reaching to touch his wounded adult
face.
Jesus looked at her with intensely probing and passionately loving eyes (and at all of us through the screen) and said "Behold I make all things new." These are words taken from the last Book of the New
Testament, the Book of Revelations. Suddenly, the purpose of the pain was so clear and the wounds, that earlier in the film had been so difficult to see in His face, His back, indeed all over His body, became intensely beautiful.
They had been borne voluntarily for love.
At the end of the film, after we had all had a chance to recover, a question and answer period ensued. The unanimous praise for the film, from a rather diverse crowd, was as astounding as the compliments were effusive. The questions included the one question that seems to follow this film, even though it has not yet even been released. "Why is this film considered by some to be 'anti-Semitic?" Frankly, having now experienced (you do not "view" this film) "the Passion" it is a question that is impossible to answer. A law professor whom I admire sat in front of me. He raised his hand and responded "After watching this film, I do not understand how anyone can insinuate that it even remotely presents that the Jews killed Jesus. It doesn't." He continued "It made me realize that my sins killed Jesus" I agree. There is not a scintilla of anti-Semitism to be found anywhere in this powerful film. If there were, I would be among the first to decry it. It faithfully tells the Gospel story in a dramatically beautiful, sensitive and profoundly engaging way. Those who are alleging otherwise have either not seen the
film or have another agenda behind their protestations. This is not a "Christian" film, in the sense that it will appeal only to those who identify themselves as followers of Jesus Christ. It is a deeply human, beautiful story that will deeply touch all men and women. It is a profound work of art. Yes, its producer is a Catholic Christian and thankfully has remained faithful to the Gospel text; if that is no longer acceptable behavior than we are all in trouble. History demands that we remain faithful to the story and Christians have a right to tell it. After all, we believe that it is the greatest story ever told and that its message is for all men and women. The greatest right is the right to hear the truth.

We would all be well advised to remember that the Gospel narratives to which "The Passion" is so faithful were written by Jewish men who followed a Jewish Rabbi whose life and teaching have forever
changed the history of the world. The problem is not the message but those who have distorted it and used it for hate rather than love. The solution is not to censor the message, but rather to promote the kind of gift of love that is Mel Gibson's filmmaking masterpiece, "The Passion." It should be seen by as many people as possible. I intend to do everything I can to make sure that is the case.
I am passionate about "The Passion."

Please copy this and send it on to all your friends to let them know about this film so that all go see it when it comes out.>>

peacemover · #30 (**permalink**) 02-26-2004, 10:20 AM

Here is another vignette, supposedly also from Paul Harvey (someone forwarded it to me via e-mail)- warning: parts of his descriptions are somewhat graphic...

Quote:

Here is a true story by Paul Harvey. Pass it to anyone who you think would find it interesting and inspiring. You will be surprised who this young man turned out to be. (Do not look at the bottom if this letter until you have read it fully.)

Years ago a hardworking man took his family from New York State to
Australia to take advantage of a work opportunity there. Part of this man's family was a handsome young son who had aspirations of joining the circus as a trapeze artist or an actor. This young fellow, biding his time until a circus job or even one as a stagehand came along, worked at the local shipyards which bordered on the worse section of town.

Walking home from work one evening this young man was attacked by five thugs who wanted to rob him. Instead of just giving up his money the young fellow resisted. However they bested him easily and proceeded to beat him to a pulp. They mashed his face with their boots, and kicked and beat his body brutally with clubs, leaving him for dead.

When the police happened to find him lying in the road they assumed he
was dead and called for the Morgue Wagon. On the way to the morgue a
policeman heard him gasp for air, and they immediately took him to the
emergency unit at the hospital. When he was placed on a gurney a nurse
remarked to her horror, that his young man no longer had a face. Each eye socket was smashed, his skull, legs, and arms fractured, his nose literally hanging from his face, all is teeth were gone, and his jaw was almost completely torn from his skull.

Although his life was spared he spent over a year in the hospital. When
he finally left his body may have healed, but his face was disgusting to look at. He was no longer the handsome youth that everyone admired.
When the young man started to look for work again he was turned down by everyone just on account of the way he looked. One potential employer suggested to him that he join the freak show at the circus as" The Man Who Had No Face". And he did this for a while. He was still rejected by everyone and no one wanted to be seen in his company. He had thoughts of suicide. This went on for five years.

One day he passed a church and sought some solace there. Entering the
church he encountered a priest who had seen him sobbing while kneeling in a pew. The priest took pity on him and took him to the rectory where they talked at length. The priest was impressed with him to such a degree that he said that he would do everything possible for him that could be done to restore his dignity and life, if the young man would promise to be the best Christian he could be, and trust in God's mercy to free him from his torturous life.

The young man went to Mass and communion every day, and after thanking God for saving his life, asked God to only give him peace of mind and the grace to be the best man he could ever be in His eyes.

The priest, through his personal contacts was able to secure the
services of the best plastic surgeon in Australia. There would be no cost to the young man, as the doctor was the priest's best friend. The doctor too
was so impressed by the young man, whose outlook now on life, even though he had experienced the worse was filled with good humor and love.

The surgery was a miraculous success. All the best dental work was also
done for him. The young man became everything he promised God he would be. He was also blessed with a wonderful, beautiful wife, and many
children, and success in an industry which would have been the furthest
thing from his mind as a career if not for the goodness of God and the love of the people who cared for him. This he acknowledges publicly.

The young man was and is Mel Gibson.

His life was the inspiration for his production of the movie "The Man
Without A Face." He is to be admired by all of us as a God fearing man, a political conservative, and an example to all as a true man of courage.
And to think I admired him before I knew any of this! He is quite a man!

Paul Harvey

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