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Showing posts with label mel gibson's passion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mel gibson's passion. Show all posts

The Blood Libel's Last Gasp: Why "The Passion" Still Hurts

Mel Gibson on the set of The Passion of the Christ,
with Christ (AA Film Archive / Alamy)
In Roman history scholar, Prof. Nathanael Andrade's recent article, (adapted in JTA), rightly challenges the enduring myth of Jewish culpability in the death of Jesus. The scholar dismantles the historical inaccuracies and biased interpretations that have fueled centuries of antisemitism. It's a crucial intervention, yet the persistence of this libel, particularly in popular culture, demands constant vigilance. One need only look at Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" to see how these ancient prejudices continue to fester.

Gibson's film, released to both critical acclaim and fervent condemnation, purported to offer a historically accurate depiction of Jesus' final hours. However, its blatant manipulation of scripture, its graphic violence, and, most insidiously, its portrayal of Jews as bloodthirsty antagonists, served only to reinforce the very narratives that Dr. Andrade so effectively debunks.

The film leans heavily on extra-biblical traditions and embellishments, often presented as historical fact. The Sanhedrin is depicted as a monolithic entity, driven solely by malice towards Jesus. Individual Jews are shown sneering and demanding his crucifixion. This is a far cry from the complex socio-political landscape of Roman-occupied Judea. The Gospels themselves offer varying accounts, and even within those accounts, blame is far from universally assigned to the Jewish people.

But "The Passion's" most egregious offense lies in its perpetuation of the deicide charge – the accusation that the Jewish people are collectively responsible for the death of God. This charge has been the cornerstone of antisemitism for millennia, justifying persecution, pogroms, and even the Holocaust. To visually reinforce this accusation on the silver screen, with all the power of cinematic storytelling, is not just irresponsible, it's dangerous.

Moreover, the film conveniently omits or minimizes the role of the Roman authorities. Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, is presented as a reluctant participant, almost sympathetic to Jesus' plight. This glosses over the brutal reality of Roman rule and the empire's history of crushing dissent. It's crucial to remember that Jesus was executed by the Romans, for what they perceived as sedition – a direct threat to their authority.

Fortunately, voices have emerged to challenge this harmful narrative. Scholars Jeremy Cohen and Andrade's work is vital, but so too are visual resources that offer alternative interpretations. Here are a few examples that challenge the Church's historical narrative:

It is our responsibility, as Jews, to actively combat the persistent myth of Jewish culpability in the death of Jesus. By engaging with scholarly work, critically analyzing popular culture, and promoting alternative narratives, we can help to dismantle the structures of antisemitism and build a more just and equitable world. "The Passion" may be a film, but its legacy of hate lingers on, and we must be vigilant in confronting it.

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    The "Passion" of the Madman- which Christians will denounce?

    Mel Gibson with actor Jim Caviezel ("Jesus") on the set o
    set of "The Passion of the Christ" (Courtesy: TheAge.com.au)
    Why did Mel Gibson choose to produce a cinematic depiction of the classic anti-Semitic "passion-play?  In doing so, why did he patch together the most Jewish-incriminating interpretations from a variety of sources?

    The Wrap has exclusive coverage of Judah Maccabee-screenwriter Joe Eszterhas' expose of Mel's demons and his possible agenda.
    Joe Eszterhas Explodes at Mel Gibson: 'You Hate Jews' (Exclusive)
    Hollywood screenwriter Joe Eszterhas is accusing Mel Gibson, his recent collaborator on a movie about Jewish revolt, of “hating Jews” and using him to deflect his anti-Semitic reputation.

    In an explosive nine-page letter to Gibson obtained by TheWrap (read the full letter here), the screenwriter wrote that the director of “The Passion of the Christ” never intended to make the movie about Jewish heroism, called “The Maccabees.” Instead, Eszterhas said, Gibson announced the project “in an attempt to deflect continuing charges of anti-Semitism which have dogged you, charges which have crippled your career.” He added: “I’ve come to the conclusion that the reason you won’t make ‘The Maccabees’ is the ugliest possible one. You hate Jews.”

    Mel Gibson Rage Recording in Costa Rica: 'Filthy C-sucker Whore'
    Mel Gibson shouted terrifying epithets at his houseguests during a rampage at his home in Costa Rica in December, according to a recording obtained by TheWrap. Houseguest and screenwriter Joe Eszterhas provided the recording, and you can find it at the bottom of this story. (Editor’s note: Recording and quotations below contain highly offensive language.)

    The release of the recording follows a public dispute between Gibson and Eszterhas. The screenwriter wrote a nine-page letter obtained by TheWrap, accusing the movie star of making continual anti-Semitic remarks, threatening violence to Grigorieva and detailing out-of-control behavior, including the rampage he described in detail.

    Eszterhas' audiotape reveals a psychosis which may have been behind Gibson's depiction of "The Passion-play." Which Christians want Gibson to define the story of their faith? Christians interested in redeeming themselves from the silence of their faith during the Nazi vilifying of Jews in the early stages of the Holocaust (the history of which Mel's father, Hutton Gibson seeks to rewrite) ought to rethink their tacit condoning of Mel's "The Passion of the Christ" since its release in 2006.  Which Christian leaders will publicly denounce Mel's version of deicide as not credible and unrepresentative of their theology?
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