Film about Christ raises concerns of anti-Semitism

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WI ^ | 8/11/03 | AMY WESTFELDT

[DPB101]

Film about Christ raises concerns of anti-Semitism

But Gibson defends 'Passion' as an
authentic crucifixion account

By AMY WESTFELDT
Associated Press

New York - Those who have seen Mel Gibson's film about the final hours of Jesus Christ have called it beautiful, magical, and a great and important work.

Those who fear "The Passion" could fuel anti-Semitism, however, until this weekend hadn't been allowed to see the film. Seven months before its release, this extraordinary vanity project is stirring passions over Gibson's exclusionary screenings and the potential for a negative depiction of Jews.

On Friday, it was shown in Houston to an audience that included for the first time an official from the Anti-Defamation League, which fights anti-Semitism. Audience members signed confidentiality agreements before attending the screening.

"We still have grave concerns," Rabbi Eugene Korn, director of the ADL's Office of Interfaith Affairs in New York, told the Houston Chronicle in Saturday's editions.

Not just Jews are concerned. The film was first questioned by a nine-member panel that included Christians. Gibson is a member of a Catholic movement that rejects the Vatican's authority over the Catholic church.

The action-movie star and Oscar-winning director of "Braveheart" has spent nearly $30 million of his own money to produce, co-write and direct "The Passion," starring Jim Caviezel as Jesus and Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalene. Filmed entirely in Aramaic and Latin, it has yet to secure a distributor.

According to the official Web site for the film, "The Passion" may not reach theaters until June.

In recent weeks, the actor-director had been building support with invitation-only screenings for film industry insiders, conservative commentators, evangelical Christians and sympathetic Jews.

Ted Haggard, president of the National Evangelical Association, saw a screening in June with about 30 evangelical scholars. The scholars are very strict about adherence to scripture, so Gibson "had no assurances that we would be friendly toward that movie."

But Haggard loved it. "I thought it was the most authentic portrayal I've ever seen."

However, critics of "The Passion" - who have not seen the film - worry that it will attract millions to see a violent, bloody recounting of the crucifixion that portrays Jews as a frenzied mob eager to watch Jesus die.

"For too many years, Christians have accused Jews of being Christ-killers and used that charge to rationalize violence," said Sister Mary C. Boys, a seminary professor on a committee that read an early draft of the script. "This is our fear."

While Gibson said "The Passion" will be the most authentic account ever of the crucifixion, Boys said the script presented the Jews as more culpable than the Romans who executed Christ.

It only recounts the last 12 hours of Christ's life, she said, and therefore lacks the context to explain the Jews' portrayal.

In a June statement, Gibson denied that he or the film were anti-Semitic: "My intention in bringing it to the screen is to create a lasting work of art and engender serious thought among audiences of diverse faith backgrounds (or none) who have varying familiarity with this story."

[DPB101]

Amy Westfeldt...now that name strikes a bell...hmmm...what family is it that writes out her paycheck?

[ChocChipCookie]

I give up. Who?

[ex-Texan]

The writer sounds like an anti-Christian bigot. The truth is the truth. The only threats to Jewish people are being made by Islamic fundamentalists. Not a single word from her about that. I wonder why. How many innocent Jews are killed each day in America by Christians? DUH! How many are killed each days in Israel by Pali terrorists? DOUBLE DUH !

[ex-Texan]

The writer sounds like an anti-Christian bigot. The truth is the truth. The only threats to Jewish people are being made by Islamic fundamentalists. Not a single word from her about that. I wonder why. How many innocent Jews are killed each day in America by Christians? DUH! How many are killed each days in Israel by Pali terrorists? DOUBLE DUH !

[DPB101]

"Pinch" Sulzberger.

He likes to keep a low profile.

[polemikos]

...critics of "The Passion" - who have not seen the film...

A non-story, about non-news, written by a non-writer, with nothing better to do.

[DPB101]

"Pinch" Sulzberger.

He likes to keep a low profile.

[Cachelot]

Amy Westfeldt...now that name strikes a bell...hmmm...what family is it that writes out her paycheck?

Ah, Mr. Lied - out Jewspotting again?

[dennisw]

How dare Jews express concern about this greatest film of all times!! Darn Jews are disrespecting the much greater number of Christians! Darn pesky Jews! Darn uppity Jews!! Darn Jews are disrespecting Jesus Christ's passion and disrespecting us Christians! </sarcasm>

Your daily anti Jew post. Once more your obsession with what Jews do and think comes to the surface. You are 100 times more concerned about Jews than Jews are concerned with your religion (?) and national origin (?)      Funny the way that always seems to work.

[dennisw]

A non-story, about non-news, written by a non-writer, with nothing better to do.

Posted by someone with nothing better to do.

[dennisw]

A non-story, about non-news, written by a non-writer, with nothing better to do.

And thread posted by someone with nothing better to do.

[xm177e2]

Film about Christ raises concerns of anti-Semitism

Tomorrow's headline:

Inanimate Object Carries Out Transitive Verb Action

The film is not "raising concerns," a bunch of professional victim groups and extreme-left Pope-hating Catholics are.

[GigaDittos]

Don't let the door hit your arse on the way out.

[GigaDittos]

A non-post by you. Don't let the door hit ya on the way out.

[SJackson]

Who considers Sulzberger Jr. a Jew?

[Aquinasfan]

These articles can't help but be good for the box office.

[SJackson]

Ah, Mr. Lied - out Jewspotting again?

[wimpycat]

Hear, hear!

Ted Haggard, president of the National Evangelical Association, saw a screening in June with about 30 evangelical scholars. The scholars are very strict about adherence to scripture, so Gibson "had no assurances that we would be friendly toward that movie."

If Mel can pass muster with the Evangelicals in the "scriptural accuracy" department, this will help, too.

[HurkinMcGurkin]

"For too many years, Christians have accused Jews of being Christ-killers and used that charge to rationalize violence," said Sister Mary C. Boys, a seminary professor on a committee that read an early draft of the script. "This is our fear."

I must have missed all of this Christian on Jew violence. I have seen Palestinian on Jew violence. I have seen Jew on Palestinian violence. Even seen an occasional looney skinhead do something to a jew. Now, where's all this "rationalization of violence"?

[Northern Yankee]

You have to wonder just how many times this type of article will come up?

Sheesh!