ADL Fears Gibson's 'Passion' Will Fuel Anti-Semitism
Film About Final Hours Of Christ's Life Screened For ADL Friday
POSTED: 10:47 a.m. EDT August 12, 2003
Anti-Defamation League National Director Abraham Foxman said Monday that he's concerned that Mel Gibson's upcoming film "The Passion" will "fuel hatred, bigotry and anti-Semitism" by reinforcing a belief that Jews were guilty for Jesus' death.
The statement comes after ADL Rabbi Eugene Korn screened Gibson's controversial film -- which chronicles the final 12 hours in Christ's life -- at Houston's Museum of Fine Arts on Friday.
The ADL previously had not been allowed to see the film.
According to The Associated Press, Korn said he has "grave concerns" over the film, and that the disagreement over it isn't just between Jews and Gibson.
He said many theologically informed Catholics and Protestants have expressed the same concerns, and that the film "may undermine Christian-Jewish dialogue and could turn back the clock on decades of positive progress in interfaith relations."
Produced, co-written and directed by Gibson, "The Passion" stars Jim Caviezel ("Frequency") as Jesus and Monica Bellucci ("The Matrix Reloaded") as Mary Magdalene.
Gibson's spokesman did not return a telephone call requesting comment from AP. In a June statement, the actor-filmmaker said that he is not anti-Semitic and he intended "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."
Not all appear to be offended by Gibson's film. The Rev. Ted Haggard -- president of the National Association of Evangelicals -- has had a private screening of the film and says it's an accurate portrayal of the Gospel account that doesn't provoke anti-Semitism.
Gibson, who won two Oscars for producing and directing "Braveheart," has spent $30 million of his own money to finance the film, according to AP.
The actor-director filmed "The Passion's" dialogue in Latin and Aramaic, and it will have no English subtitles. The film has yet to secure a distributor, yet is slated for an Easter 2004 release.
The statement comes after ADL Rabbi Eugene Korn screened Gibson's controversial film -- which chronicles the final 12 hours in Christ's life -- at Houston's Museum of Fine Arts on Friday.
The ADL previously had not been allowed to see the film.
According to The Associated Press, Korn said he has "grave concerns" over the film, and that the disagreement over it isn't just between Jews and Gibson.
He said many theologically informed Catholics and Protestants have expressed the same concerns, and that the film "may undermine Christian-Jewish dialogue and could turn back the clock on decades of positive progress in interfaith relations."
Produced, co-written and directed by Gibson, "The Passion" stars Jim Caviezel ("Frequency") as Jesus and Monica Bellucci ("The Matrix Reloaded") as Mary Magdalene.
Gibson's spokesman did not return a telephone call requesting comment from AP. In a June statement, the actor-filmmaker said that he is not anti-Semitic and he intended "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."
Not all appear to be offended by Gibson's film. The Rev. Ted Haggard -- president of the National Association of Evangelicals -- has had a private screening of the film and says it's an accurate portrayal of the Gospel account that doesn't provoke anti-Semitism.
Gibson, who won two Oscars for producing and directing "Braveheart," has spent $30 million of his own money to finance the film, according to AP.
The actor-director filmed "The Passion's" dialogue in Latin and Aramaic, and it will have no English subtitles. The film has yet to secure a distributor, yet is slated for an Easter 2004 release.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.
