Gibson To Screen 'Passion' Clip At Christian Festival
Film About Christ Is Under Fire By Religious Leaders, Critics
POSTED: 5:47 p.m. EDT August 7, 2003
Actor-filmmaker Mel Gibson is putting his belief in "The Passion" to the test this weekend when he screens a clip of the controversial film at religious festival.
According to The Associated Press, Gibson is planning on showing a four-minute clip of the film to some 10,000 attendees of the Harvest Crusade in Anaheim, Calif.
The film stars James Caviezel ("Frequency") as Christ during the last 12 hours of his life. "The Matrix Reloaded" co-star Monica Bellucci is playing Mary Magdalene.
The reported $25 million production features dialogue only in Latin and Aramaic with no English subtitles.
Gibson -- who is directing and partially financing the film -- has been under fire from religious leaders and critics who call "The Passion" anti-Semitic and anti-Catholic.
At least one high-profile critic, Michael Medved, has praised the film. According to the Internet Movie Database, Medved, who is an orthodox Jew, went on television to say the film is the "best adaptation of The Bible in Hollywood history."
Other critics have had the opportunity to screen the film early, but are required not to speak about it, IMDb reported.
According to Harvest Crusade leader Greg Laurie, Gibson will screen a scene in which Jesus is flogged and hung on the cross.
In a statement previously published in Variety, Gibson -- a devout Roman Catholic -- said "The Passion" is meant to be "a lasting work of art" that will "engender serious thought among audiences of diverse faith backgrounds."
Gibson has also previously said that the film will "inspire, not offend."
The film will be released Easter 2004.
According to The Associated Press, Gibson is planning on showing a four-minute clip of the film to some 10,000 attendees of the Harvest Crusade in Anaheim, Calif.
The film stars James Caviezel ("Frequency") as Christ during the last 12 hours of his life. "The Matrix Reloaded" co-star Monica Bellucci is playing Mary Magdalene.
The reported $25 million production features dialogue only in Latin and Aramaic with no English subtitles.
Gibson -- who is directing and partially financing the film -- has been under fire from religious leaders and critics who call "The Passion" anti-Semitic and anti-Catholic.
At least one high-profile critic, Michael Medved, has praised the film. According to the Internet Movie Database, Medved, who is an orthodox Jew, went on television to say the film is the "best adaptation of The Bible in Hollywood history."
Other critics have had the opportunity to screen the film early, but are required not to speak about it, IMDb reported.
According to Harvest Crusade leader Greg Laurie, Gibson will screen a scene in which Jesus is flogged and hung on the cross.
In a statement previously published in Variety, Gibson -- a devout Roman Catholic -- said "The Passion" is meant to be "a lasting work of art" that will "engender serious thought among audiences of diverse faith backgrounds."
Gibson has also previously said that the film will "inspire, not offend."
The film will be released Easter 2004.
Copyright 2003 by Lifewhile.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
