I talked about The Passion last night with my sister. As soon as I saw the depiction (sidenote...Gibson's Jesus does NOT have blue eyes), I decided not to go.
The truth is the TRUTH. We don't accept anything less than the truth when we talk about fraternal matters. We don't accept anything less than the truth when it comes to our families. We don't accept anything less than the truth when it comes to our children.
Why should you accept anything less than the truth, when it comes to the matter that is most important to you?
Think about it another way.
Gibson originally filmed the entire movie in Aramaic, because English didn't exist at that time period. He was so dedicated to getting the details right, that he had the entire film performed in a language that few people on the face of the planet can still speak. That fewer probably know how to read.
He was so dedicated to getting the details right that the crucifixion scene lasted almost a full HOUR. While some may say that this fixation on violence borders on the pornographic I disagree. The time period of The Passion was an extremely violent time. Furthermore, Gibson wanted to be sure that the viewer understood exactly what Jesus was buying into when he agreed to die. He agreed to die in one of the most painful ways imagineable.
So it isn't like Gibson himself isn't down with the truth as he understood it. He was so down for the truth that he risked the entire movie on it.
BUT....he wasn't so down for the truth that he'd accurately depict the people of the time period.
He wasn't so down for the truth that he'd accurately depict the person he believes is the savior of all of humanity.
....
Now some would argue that race is unimportant. That Jesus didn't have a color.
To a certain extent this argument has merit. "Race" didn't exist 2,000 years ago. People weren't known as "blacks" or "whites" but rather as Ethiopians, or Romans. But during his time on Earth, Jesus HAD A PHYSICAL APPEARANCE. Jesus wasn't colorless. His skin wasn't translucent. His hair wasn't made of fire. If accuracy is your goal and the truth matters at all, I say depict him as he WAS. Furthermore, given the routine discrimination visited upon black, brown, red, and yellow peoples in America, I'd think that an accurate depiction of Jesus may actually get Christians to reconsider their daily practices.
I've already made my decision. I won't give Gibson a cent for his movie. I won't even watch the bootleg copy.
The day I watch The Passion is the day they show the uncut version on Saturday morning television smack dab between The 21st Century Smurfs and the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
The truth matters. If it matters on your job, if it matters in your home, if it matters in your personal relationship...it should matter when it comes to your God.
Posted by at March 8, 2004 06:18 PM | TrackBackAt first glance, I don't personally have a problem with "The Passion..." because based upon what I think I know, Jesus wasn't Jim Caviezel, although I hear he gives an outstanding dramatic performance.
I am willing to accept "The Passion..." through an "as interpreted by Mel Gibson" filter, and I would otherwise be quite fine with that, except for:
First, the concern that this movie will codify the reality of "white Jesus" in the minds of most whites (whether Christian or no), and many Black folk (same religious/ideological considerations)...
Second, that this codification will harden and justify the existence of white supremacy/privilege, consciously or unconsciously, in the minds of both historical oppressor and the historically oppressed.
I will watch because I enjoy quality dramatic performances, but it will be viewed through these filters of consideration.
Posted by: Michael R Hicks at March 15, 2004 06:30 PMI think i saw it already, do not remember where though.
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Thanks! Bookmarked!
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LKS,Doing remoldling at the house one of the artisan has a copy of the Passion(dvd),since he has borrow some dvd's from me, he offered to let me see his copy.I ask one question ,were their any people of color in the movie?enough said.
Posted by: tootsie at March 11, 2004 06:39 AMtootsie