Passion, The (2003) Mel Gibson Director/Producer

Passion, The (2003)

[In production, Mel Gibson producer and director.
Summary: the last 12 hours of the life of Jesus Christ.]

Although films have adopted the Bible since the silent movie era, the languages of the script distinguish Gibson?s film. The entire script will be only in Latin and Aramaic, the primary languages of Jerusalem in the Life of Christ. Gibson wants no subtitles so other than the fortunate few who know Latin or the even rarer Aramaic, Gibson's communication will be visual.

[EDIT: In his recent interviews, Gibson's discussion of his film's emphasis on visual communication sounded much like GL describing SW, so this is why I put this thread on a SW board.]

The choice of the languages without subtitles is bold move, and will give the film the feel of a documentary, I suspect. It has also opened up Gibson's casting options: I note the several Italian film actors in the current cast. James Caviezel, probably best know in the USA for the recent film The Count of Monte Cristo (2002) , has been cast as Jesus Christ.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this film? Perhaps it will start a trend and we will see more films using ancient languages?

 

I am VERY excited about this movie.

Gibson, a devout Catholic, is finally giving the Passion of Jesus Christ a true interpretation.

I was initially stunned at the fact that it will be totally in Latin and Aramaic, these aren't easy languages to learn. The actors have to be very well versed in ancient tongue.

Website about Passion

 

That's intriguing for certain. The story is certainly well known enough for the visual cues to carry the average viewer through the period.

I'm looking forward to this.

 

No subtitles? Very interesting. I'm looking forward to this movie.

 

Please tell me Willem Dafoe isn't going to be in it this time.

 

Thank you for your replies and new links.

Defoe would not be playing Jesus: James Caviezel has that part. Besides, filming is already in progress, so I assume all the roles are already cast and Defoe is not on the list.

This project does look promising because it is in careful hands. Gibson has creative and financial control over the production. A Jesuit language professor is translating the script, Gibson has consulted with other clergy, and Gibson and his lead actor, Caviezel, are both practicing Catholics.

To the best of my knowledge, no release date has been set. The week before Lent, the approximately 40 day period of fasting before Easter, would be a good time to release the film.

 

Brilliant idea with the Latin only dialogue and no subtitles. I will really look forward to this film.

 

Did you guys see Mel being interviewed on The O'Reilly Factor on the FoxNews Channel? Appearently, people are trying to discredit him about the movie, calling him a fanatic and whatnot.

Here's a transcript

Personally, I can't wait to see this movie.

 

`Appearently, people are trying to discredit him about the movie, calling him a fanatic and whatnot.'

I guess I'd be one of them. :/

Personally I'm amazed that a studio agreed to bankroll this film.

 

I find it sad that they're going to his 85 year old father to try to dig up dirt on him.

 

What do you find fanatical about this project, Pozzi?

 

It's no more fanatical that hundreds of films that have tried to make a political, social, or religious point. Personally, I think many of the supposedly artistic and wonderful films are quite fanatical, but they have their place. This too has its place.

Personally, I am interested in this film on two levels. One, the fact that you will really have to look at the performances because of the language is really going to be interesting. It will mean that the actors will really have to do a great job to be convincing. And the whole thing will feel more authentic.

Secondly, I am not ashamed to say that I'm a Christian and that I am incredibly overjoyed to see another Christian, and one with a huge name for himself, not being afraid to stand up and tell the story of Christ from our view in a compelling way. I have always been a Mel Gibson fan, but when I heard about this, my respect for him jumped infinately. I just hope it comes out well

-sj loves kevin spacey[/b

 

I have to say I'm quite looking forward to this movie, if only because of the foreign languages; I would love to hear latin and aramiac spoken today, and I find it facinating that not only are they filming it in more or less dead languages, but they are also going to go without sub-titles. A daring move, and one that will put a lot on the actors.

Speaking of which, I think the choice to cast James Caviezel as Jesus is quite a good one. From what I've seen of him he is a good actor and one who should do the role credit.

However, I am also suprised that this film got bankrolled by any major studio-Think of how expensive it's going to be, and unlike many films today, there's no garuntee this one is going to make a lot of money.

In fact, I'll be really suprised if this doesn't tank at the box office. I have a feeling that the majority of people these days are not interested in a religious movie, and certainly not in something that is filmed entirely in languages than 99% of the population do not know.

 

My respect for Mel just shot upward. I've heard of this project and I can't wait to see it. I just got much more excited after having a deeper look into it.

 

I find it amusing when people like Pozzi and others down and dismiss someone for trying to do something different with filmmaking. This idea is brilliant in my opinion and the Latin dialogue couped with no subtitles for translation will really give Gibson the opportunity to make a visually symbolic film.

 

Honestly, I had no idea Mel was a Christian. I always thought of him as one of the good guys in Hollywood, but I never imagined.....

Marylin Monroe once said that Hollywood ws the only place where they'd pay you $50,000 for a kiss and 50 cents for your soul.

I guess people do own souls in Hollywood.

More power to you Mel!

 

I am really looking forward to this movie. I really like all that Mel has directed in the past. I give him huge props for havin the balls to make it.

And I dont even like religion, any kind.

 

`What do you find fanatical about this project, Pozzi?'

Nothing really. But I can't believe that this film will be seen as any good by most people. I trust his abilities as a filmaker, but I think he's made it very hard for himself.

`However, I am also suprised that this film got bankrolled by any major studio-Think of how expensive it's going to be, and unlike many films today, there's no garuntee this one is going to make a lot of money. In fact, I'll be really suprised if this doesn't tank at the box office. I have a feeling that the majority of people these days are not interested in a religious movie, and certainly not in something that is filmed entirely in languages than 99% of the population do not know.'

That's my feeling.

 

By all means, use authentic language and stuff. But no subtitles??? I know a few Latin relating to law and legal maxims and such, but not much else And I sure as hell don't understand Aramaic. So I really hope Gibson reconsiders this, 'cos I want to see this movie. I want to enjoy it.

Oh well, if the whole visual stuff works, who knows, I might be able to enjoy it. Looking forward to seeing this (I'm not a Christian, but I have read the Bible, one of those Gideon things in the hotel ).

 

Mel is a brilliant director and I would look forward to this on that basis alone. The fact that it's in Latin and arameic intrigues me. I don't know Arameaic (sp? again, lol), but I do know Latin, so I'll understand some, anyway. I can't wait.

And I think it's also wonderful that Mel is so vocal about his beliefs, unlike a lot of supposed Christians in Hollywood. I truly respect him.

 

Yeah, I don't know Latin. Just French, which is Latin-based, but I think the point is that most people won't know it. You know, I watched an American movie the other day, and about half of it was in French, and that half wasn't even subtitled. It worked out just fine, even though I do know the language. I don't think it would be hard for someone to pick up what was going on by the visuals.

I do have a friend that speaks Latin, however. She should be really interested in that aspect of the film....

And hasn't anyone ever heard of silent film??? Honestly, some of those movies are great, and without knowing what's being said. A few written lines might be thrown in here or there to help the story, sure, but in this case, it's a story which most people know. Or haven't any of you ever seen a ballet??? Words are not the only way to tell a story.

Mel is currently at the top of my respect, both artistically and for being strong in his beliefs.

-sj loves kevin spacey

 

I always thought it would be a neat idea to have a film set in Roman times and the characters speak Latin. I hope it turns out well.

 

My respect for Mel just shot upward.

I completely agree. It sounds as if after 100+ years of cinematic endeavors, we will finally have a definitive Christ story.

Admitidly, I'm a little sore at Mel for choosing to have no subtitles in a foreign-language film... that was MY idea!! Anyway, I believe it can be done, and I can't wait to see it. I can see why people may think it gimmiky and commercial suicide, which in the finished product it could be, but if Mel is able to employ the cinematic language to its fullest, he could just make film history.

~PAd

 

It is amazing that anyone bankrolled it however. I think this one is going to be one of the biggest flops in decades.

That said, I do think it'll probably also be one of the best films of the decade.

Ironic, no?

 

http://www.sassiweb.it/thepassion/

http://www.melgibsonnews.com/news/news.html

http://www.aztlan.net/thepassion.htm

Haven't checked the content so I hope I can edit them before the mods do.

EDITS: I'll risk them.