- We have heard a great deal of rhetoric from predictable
sources regarding Mel Gibson,s soon to be released movie, "The Passion
of the Christ." I have had the privilege of getting to know Gibson
and watching him work. I have also been a longtime observer of Hollywood.
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- When an artist brings his unique vision of religious
expression to the screen, it is not grounds for controversy. It is an exercise
in freedom.
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- Some critics charge that the film ascribes blame. Their
complaint is not with Gibson but with Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The
movie merely depicts the life and death of Christ directly from the Gospels.
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- Scores of respected religious experts concur that the
movie is an accurate depiction of Scripture.
-
- "The Passion of the Christ" focuses on the
last 12 hours of Christ,s life and the suffering he endured. The story
that Gibson brings to life is the same story set forth in both the New
Testament and the Talmud. It is the same story that has been immortalized
in clay, on canvas and in composition by great masters over the centuries.
And it is one that has deep religious significance for hundreds of millions
of people around the world.
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- Gibson is one of the most bankable stars of today. A
Harris poll recently named him America,s favorite male movie star. He easily
could have cashed in on Hollywood,s sequel craze and enriched his personal
bank account in the process. Instead he chose to spend his time working
on a project that he has carried in his heart for more than a dozen years.
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- On February 25, Gibson,s creative effort will take flight.
"The Passion of the Christ" will appear on thousands of movie
screens across the nation. The cinematic launch will occur despite unprecedented
attempts by critics and foes to alter the film,s content and thwart its
release.
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- What has been lost in all of the controversy surrounding
the film is creativity,s voice, free expression. Ironically, many of the
same people who defended the right of Martin Scorsese to display "The
Last Temptation of Christ," Andres Serrano to immerse a crucifix in
urine and Chris Ofili,s to smear the Blessed Mother of Jesus with elephant
dung have been hard at work trying to shackle Gibson.
- Gibson had to overcome personal insults, stolen scripts,
pirated prints and dire predictions to deliver his film to the public.
His ability to do so is an exercise of his fundamental rights as an artist,
an American and a person of faith.
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- Especially important to us as an independent people is
our rich variety of ideas. Americans inherently understand that the marketplace
of the mind is perhaps the most critical component of the freedom formula.
- Gibson,s "The Passion of the Christ" is a manifestation
of artistic freedom and ought to be respected as such.
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- __________
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- A Special Edition of THE LEFT COAST REPORT
- "Passion Attacks"
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- The Left Coast Report presents some of the lowlights
of the past year in hopes that the heroic resolve and artistic vision of
the film,s creators can be fully appreciated.
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- Click Here: http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2004/1/27/215042.shtml
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