Oh, For Art's Sake! (The Passion)

Anna Zetchus Raetz

[kitkat]

Beautiful, Anna. Lyrical

[AnnaZ]

As a Catholic I highly identified with this film and it's near scene for scene matching of the Stations of the Cross that can be found in any Catholic Church and the recitation of The Passion. The Passion plays a central role in Catholic faith. Just curious - do Protestant Christians place the same emphasis on Holy Week and especially Good Friday as Catholics do?

 

Some certainly do: http://www.crystalcathedral.org/glory_easter/index.html

 

It's interesting you ask as I did comment to friends a few times after this viewing that sometimes I wish "we" had a little more in the way of ritual... though I will admit up front that, as an evangelical Christian, I have a great deal of issues with Catholic doctrine -- but there aren't any Protestant denominations I belong to either. 

 

I have, however, always had a great respect for the Catholic Church's commitment to inspire, commission and preserve beautiful works of art and I have always loved cathedrals. And I understand the security tradition lends.

 

I wished to know more about the various Stations of the Cross, and I will read up on them before I see it again.

 

For as long as one has a relationship with Jesus, one on one, religious appellations need not apply.

[AnnaZ]

Please come back here and let me know what you thought.

 

xo

[AnnaZ]

I recently saw this and it was amazing.

[Crowcreek]

Thanks for this very graceful review, Anna. I've been looking for something that could give me a good frame of reference before going to see the film, and that's it for me.

(And a big thanks to you too, Mel -- in advance.)

[Burkeman1]

religious appellations need not apply.

Agreed. And thanks for a this great post.

[tallhappy]

I never heard of this film before but am guessing as to what it is about. I never liked that analogy because I don't think what was done was an unplanned mistake on the part of the Father.

[tame]

Nice, Anna!

On the subject of cinematography, I saw it for the first time on Wednesday, February 25, then I went back to see it a second time on Thursday. The cinematography during the opening anguish, and arrest in the garden is BEAUTIFUL. The slow motion was powerful. A piece of art, indeed.

[livius]

Mel Gibson's Passion of The Christ may very well be, so far, the 21st Century's Sistine Chapel

Excellent description, because that is exactly what it is. In fact, it's probably the greatest work of religious art for centuries, and because it is a movie, it addresses all the senses. It's like combining Bach's St. Matthew Passion, Handel's Messiah, the Sistine Chapel, Velazquez, El Greco and Dante.

[Cboldt]

Thank you for the -ping-. You have beautiful insights.

The reaction of detractors of this film is naturally interesting to me. No, more than interesting. Fascinating, though I'm sure my fascination will ebb. My prayers include a request that the detractors receive an abundant helping of the Holy Spirit.

"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." John 3:17

[sauropod]

good essay. I plan on seeing it as well.

[sauropod]

Pretty much, except the church I belong to does not have a "liturgy."

We celebrate the Lord's Supper every Sunday though.

[Dataman]

But due to the cacophony from both sides I now realize that I will not have seen it until I see it a second time, without their words ringing in my ears. And I strongly recommend the same to all.

I'll be seeing it a second time tonight. I won't rule out a 3rd.

[visualops]

Excellent, really enjoyed reading that.
I saw The Passion yesterday, and remarked to my husband that I felt it was a work of art, an absolute masterpiece of inspired creative genius.

[NTegraT]

"But due to the cacophony from both sides I now realize that I will not have seen it until I see it a second time, without their words ringing in my ears. And I strongly recommend the same to all. "

Thanks, another inspired article. Reminds me of one I saw a couple days ago regarding the fellow who scored the music and I said ..... um ..... there was ... music? So I went to his website and listened to the clips and sure enough, in the back of my mind, I remembered hearing it but I was too involved in the movie itself to hear it. I myself plan on seeing the movie every week until Easter. If, however, it starts to lose it's thud, I'll stop. I hope that doesn't happen; I hope I continue to be moved as I was the first time, and hopefully moved in many directions.

[proud American in Canada]

"Mel Gibson's Passion of The Christ may very well be, so far, the 21st Century's Sistine Chapel, but the viewers will need to look up to see it."

So beautifully put, AnnaZ. Thank you.

I've been glued to FR since last Wednesday (even more than usual!), reading all the Passion threads.... Your article is one of the best.

[Madame Dufarge]

As usual, beautifully written, Anna.

Thanks for ping, and hope all has been well with you also.

[diotima]

Sounds familiar...;^)

Don't be dissing Times New Roman. Next thing you know you will be denying the Holocaust. LOL. Slippery slope and all....

[WFTR]

Well done!!

[Landru]

Anna dear, that was a wonderful review.
What a treat for these sore eyes.

Might just be your best piece of writing to date, it'll be a tough act to follow.

One thing's for absolute certain, everyone's said Gibson's motion picture inspired them in any number of ways & reading your magnificent work?

...sure proved that to me. ;^)