THE WHITE MAN OF PASSION
The first time I read about Mel Gibson’s new movie The Passion Of The Christ, I quickly dismissed it. The report said it was going to be in Latin and Armaic. I thought “that’s a lost cause” and promptly forgot about it.
The next time it came to my attention was when a Jewish guy I was having dinner with said to his friend who was also Jewish “Have you heard about Gibson’s film?” “It’s going to be anti-semitic” “I know.” I was surprised. I thought the film had been finished and had gone underground.
Then bits and pieces started surfacing.
The Pope saw it and said it was fine (or did he?) and the word of mouth continued to build until it opened in the States and smashed all box office records. Reminds me of a line from a hip hop track “Five million sold/Album still selling though”. The Passion is still selling and people are lining up to get some of that juice. Mel Gibson spent his own money to make the film and that has always been a fantasy of mine. With God is African, I did spend my own money (along with some other people’s) so I haven’t reached my ultimate fantasy which is to spend my money on a film I believe in and make a profit like Mel Gibson has done. I can picture him waiting for them to set up lights on the set of the Lethal Weapon movies making his notes about The Passion. Danny Glover wondering why all these Latin scholars are hanging around all the time. This has to be the most successful subtitled movie ever and it’s in a language that isn’t even used today! As a filmmaker I have to admire Mel Gibson’s conviction and determination. The film is dogged with controversy and maybe his intentions aren’t as honest as he might want us to believe but as a filmmaker I take my hat off to him.
I went to watch the film the night it opened in South Africa. The suspense was killing me. Apart from the idiot sitting next to me who insisted on keeping his cellphone on and chatting through the first twenty minutes of the movie, I was engrossed throughout. The idiot next to me, when he eventually settled down, soon got very vocal. Annoyed at Peter’s denial, surprised at Judas’ behaviour - I wondered whether he didn’t know The Greatest Story Ever Told.
I thought the film was brilliant. The way in which it was told. The economy of language (maybe some actors struggled) and the performances of the actors. I heard about the violence but for me there was much more violence in Tarantino’s crap movie Kill Bill Vol 1 and I don’t remember hearing anyone complain. In this day and age where images are beamed at us, the sight of blood has lost its meaning. When the violence has a consequence I find people find it hard to relate. The blood in this film has consequences. I also don’t think its anti-Semitic. Some people wanted him dead. If anything it has more to say about the corruption of power and what happens when an innocent man is sent to death. The mob mentality that exists in our society today also existed in those days. `Crucify him they cry’ could be substituted for a lot of innocent men round the world today who find themselves on the wrong side of public opinion.
We have all seen the pictures, and we all know the story. Jesus died on the cross. But when you write it or you read it you don’t get a sense of what that really means. Jesus Christ Superstar and King Of Kings don’t really go there. As a filmmaker Gibson takes you there. This is what it means to be nailed to a cross. Some people might argue that they don’t need to see it and I say to them then don’t go see the film. We all know the story. No surprises in this film and nor is there need for any. The story is pretty simple. But my head was ringing at the end of the film. I felt moved. Tears were on the tip of my eyes but didn’t fall. I was definitely touched. And what is a movie if it can’t move you and make you feel things you haven’t felt? The Man suffered and for every lashing he got I thought of Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Mahatma Ghandi, Ken Saro Wiwa, Nelson Mandela and men and women who constantly have to sacrifice their life to make our lives better.
My drama teacher once told me that the best position to be in is when some people hate your work and some people like your work. Mel Gibson is in that position.
He only made one mistake. Wasn’t Jesus black?
this article first appeared on coffeebeans.co.za
October 21st, 2007 at 1:09 pm
there is little proof at all of the existence of jesus, let alone what race he was.
October 21st, 2007 at 4:42 pm
untrue..there is actually quite a lot of proof about his existence..The family he came from (he had brothers and sisters),the wife he had,his political struggle against the powers of that time (the jewish temples who had a cruel totalitarian way of dealing with their followers,the romans)..Jesus was a jew..a follower of a new popular religion..Gnostic christianity.
October 21st, 2007 at 6:12 pm
wherefore be this proof?
October 21st, 2007 at 6:39 pm
in the pudding you numb nut!
October 21st, 2007 at 6:44 pm
mmm.. numbnut pudding.
October 21st, 2007 at 7:50 pm
birdie numbnuts
October 21st, 2007 at 7:59 pm
and there’s the proof.. a little birdie numbnuts told me…
October 21st, 2007 at 9:48 pm
The proof of ones existence
is completely irrelevant.
All of us are walrus.
October 21st, 2007 at 11:21 pm
walrus pudding?
October 21st, 2007 at 11:24 pm
pud pulling?
October 22nd, 2007 at 3:14 pm
yellow matter custard
dripping from a dead dog’s eye
October 22nd, 2007 at 5:00 pm
i am the id man
October 22nd, 2007 at 11:17 pm
cussed id?
March 10th, 2008 at 8:10 am
You guys should see a documentary named Zeitgeist. There is a lot of crucial information in there regarding the origins of religions and how the
character of Jesus of Nazareth was created. Enjoy.
March 16th, 2008 at 2:59 am
If Jesus did not exist then they would have disproved him at his origin not try to 2000 years later. Guess what, too late. Every religion even those who disagree state he was a good man, or prophet. The fact is he said he was the son of God so either he was a lunatic or what he said was true. If it was, and is true then hes coming back and everyone will give account upon leaving planet earth. Disbelief at that point will not be a valid excuse. Remeber you can live for anyone who was willing to die for you.
March 18th, 2008 at 5:38 am
Good point His.
In regards to hymie’s comments, There is great proof of His existance, even in the non-Christian community. The famous historian Josepheus wrote while he was in Rome of the Christ who was crucified. Josepheus himself wasnt a Christian, but he wrote it anyway. Remember, if any false data was written by a scribe in those times, they would either cut off your hand or kill you. So, Josepheus had no reason to lie about Jesus being real or not.
Oh, and I’m not sure if Jesus was black or not, however, I’m pretty sure he was a man of color because of the strong ties that Isreal had with the Nubian kingdoms and early Arabic peoples of the time. Remember, the Jews there now arent nessacarily the same Jews that went through the Diaspora of back during the Roman conquest and occupancy.
Peace
March 18th, 2008 at 5:40 am
Opps, its josephus not Josepheus
March 18th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
I just happened across this conversation. I wasn’t actually looking for it. So, I feel I must add something to this conversation.
1. There is so much evidence of Jesus’ earthly existence that you might want to do some research before saying otherwise.
2. This is a true story of God who loves you more than you will ever know and sent His Son to die for you–whether you want to accept him or not–His love for you doesn’t change. Check out John 3:16.
3. My final “proof” is in my relationship with Him. Yes, because of what Jesus did, we can know God. Here’s a challenge for you…give Jesus a try? It’s easy to say something’s one way, when you haven’t experienced the other side. Find a church that truly believes, teaches, and lives what the Bible says (look it up for yourself–in the Holy Bible, not another book–and make sure they are following the teaches of Jesus) and learn and accept Jesus. And I’m not talking about going in with your mind made up that this all wrong. Open your heart and give Him a try. Don’t change your mind right away because of churches that may not be following Jesus’ command. Find a church that is truly doing what Jesus would have done. Afterward, if you choose to believe it’s all untrue, you can always go back to what you believe now.
If you decide to accept the challenge, here’s some scriptures to start you on your way…
John 3:16
John 14:6
Acts 3:19
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
April 17th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Hey Eva spoke. Jesus did not have a wife. If he did Where does it say in the bible you tell me that one.