Thursday, February 26, 2004
The Jesus Chainsaw Massacre
This is my article on the controversial Mel Gibson movie about white Jesus and how he was bludgeoned to death or some such. Hey, it's my blog, I'll post what the fuck ever I want...
“THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST” SPARKS CONTROVERSY, CALLS OF ANTI-SEMITISM
by Evil Brian
On Ash Wednesday, Mel Gibson’s film depicting the torture, crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ debuted amid tons of controversy and news coverage. Christians from all over the nation flocked to theaters as early as possible to see what many are considering the most accurate and graphic portrayal of Jesus’ crucifixion ever put to film. Pope John Paul II himself approved of the film wholeheartedly. One man in Plano, Texas went so far as to spend $42,000 of his own money to reserve 20 screens at his local theater so all his fellow churchgoers, friends and family could get a first glimpse at what Roger Ebert calls “…the most violent movie I have ever seen.” It is powerful, it is emotional, but is it anti-Semitic? And, if it is should it be censored or pulled from theaters? Associate Professor of Journalism Kim Landon says absolutely not. “My personal sympathies are with the Anti-Defamation League (who are calling for censure of the movie on the basis that it paints Jews as murderers) but I resent the idea that any religious organization believes that all artistic expression ought to reflect its own version of reality.”
For the most part, Jews in the film are actually cast in a benevolent light; Simon helps Jesus Christ carry the burden of the giant cross, Veronica uses a cloth to wipe the blood and sweat from Jesus’ face, and Jews in the crowd scream in protest of the torture. The Jews that do support Jesus’ torture are priests who have both political and theological reasons for condemning him. Most of the controversy, however, comes down to one line from the Bible that was omitted from the film, in which Caiaphas, a Jewish priest, argues that it is better for one man to die for the people so that the nation can be saved.
Even through this omission, many are skeptical as to the anti-Semitic motives of the film and its filmmakers. “It would take a really twisted mind to see this movie and think ‘Hey…Jews are evil…let’s go kill them.’” Says sophomore Shanelle Gabriel, a member of the Gospel Choir. “It’s like, nobody saw Amistad and said ‘Hey wait, white people are evil.’ And nobody is going to say that about this movie.”
Father Paul Drobin, the Neuman Chaplin for Utica College and SUNY IT, has a different perspective. “From what I have listened to,” Father Drobin says, “I am concerned that the intense, dramatic portrayal (of the Passion) almost manipulates who we are as a relationship to God.” He is concerned that the movie will use our internal psyche to draw us in and will not allow us distance to reflect on who we are and who God is. “We must never violate our aesthetic distance to God.” He says, “Who I am must always be me, and if I immerse myself in art, I must always be myself.” As far as the claims of anti-Semitism, he believes that there could be a potential to resurrect some ancient feelings of animosity. While Father Drobin appreciates what Mel Gibson is trying to do, he is not sure if the movie is true to what really happened and he will not be watching this movie.
The only real way to find out about any anti-Semitism that may or may not be in the movie is to see it for yourself. Nevertheless, thousands of Christians Catholics and movie fans will no doubt swarm theaters to catch this limited release film. No matter what your religious belief, anyone would agree that this is certainly a powerful, majestic and, above all else, bloody film.
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This is my article on the controversial Mel Gibson movie about white Jesus and how he was bludgeoned to death or some such. Hey, it's my blog, I'll post what the fuck ever I want...
“THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST” SPARKS CONTROVERSY, CALLS OF ANTI-SEMITISM
by Evil Brian
On Ash Wednesday, Mel Gibson’s film depicting the torture, crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ debuted amid tons of controversy and news coverage. Christians from all over the nation flocked to theaters as early as possible to see what many are considering the most accurate and graphic portrayal of Jesus’ crucifixion ever put to film. Pope John Paul II himself approved of the film wholeheartedly. One man in Plano, Texas went so far as to spend $42,000 of his own money to reserve 20 screens at his local theater so all his fellow churchgoers, friends and family could get a first glimpse at what Roger Ebert calls “…the most violent movie I have ever seen.” It is powerful, it is emotional, but is it anti-Semitic? And, if it is should it be censored or pulled from theaters? Associate Professor of Journalism Kim Landon says absolutely not. “My personal sympathies are with the Anti-Defamation League (who are calling for censure of the movie on the basis that it paints Jews as murderers) but I resent the idea that any religious organization believes that all artistic expression ought to reflect its own version of reality.”
For the most part, Jews in the film are actually cast in a benevolent light; Simon helps Jesus Christ carry the burden of the giant cross, Veronica uses a cloth to wipe the blood and sweat from Jesus’ face, and Jews in the crowd scream in protest of the torture. The Jews that do support Jesus’ torture are priests who have both political and theological reasons for condemning him. Most of the controversy, however, comes down to one line from the Bible that was omitted from the film, in which Caiaphas, a Jewish priest, argues that it is better for one man to die for the people so that the nation can be saved.
Even through this omission, many are skeptical as to the anti-Semitic motives of the film and its filmmakers. “It would take a really twisted mind to see this movie and think ‘Hey…Jews are evil…let’s go kill them.’” Says sophomore Shanelle Gabriel, a member of the Gospel Choir. “It’s like, nobody saw Amistad and said ‘Hey wait, white people are evil.’ And nobody is going to say that about this movie.”
Father Paul Drobin, the Neuman Chaplin for Utica College and SUNY IT, has a different perspective. “From what I have listened to,” Father Drobin says, “I am concerned that the intense, dramatic portrayal (of the Passion) almost manipulates who we are as a relationship to God.” He is concerned that the movie will use our internal psyche to draw us in and will not allow us distance to reflect on who we are and who God is. “We must never violate our aesthetic distance to God.” He says, “Who I am must always be me, and if I immerse myself in art, I must always be myself.” As far as the claims of anti-Semitism, he believes that there could be a potential to resurrect some ancient feelings of animosity. While Father Drobin appreciates what Mel Gibson is trying to do, he is not sure if the movie is true to what really happened and he will not be watching this movie.
The only real way to find out about any anti-Semitism that may or may not be in the movie is to see it for yourself. Nevertheless, thousands of Christians Catholics and movie fans will no doubt swarm theaters to catch this limited release film. No matter what your religious belief, anyone would agree that this is certainly a powerful, majestic and, above all else, bloody film.
