Gibson's PASSION creates more controversy

By: Patrick Sauriol
Date: Tuesday, August 12, 2003
Source: The Hollywood Reporter

The controversy surrounding Mel Gibson's chronicle of the final 24 hours of Christ's life, THE PASSION, has intensified. Members of the Anti-Defamation League watched the film last week and released a statement this past Monday calling on Gibson to change the film because they believe it contains material that's anti-Semetic.

"The film unambiguously portrays Jewish authorities and the Jewish mob as the ones responsible for the decision to crucify Jesus," said Abraham Foxman, the National Director of Anti-Defamation League. "We are deeply concerned that the film, if released in its present form, will fuel the hatred, bigotry and anti-Semitism that many responsible churches have worked hard to repudiate."

A representative for Gibson said that was never the intension of the director nor the film. "This film is about love, hope, faith and forgiveness," claims Gibson's spokeperson Alan Nierob.

This hasn't been the first time THE PASSION has been embroiled in controversy, often polarizing religious Christian and Jewish leaders who have been invited to see an early screening of the picture. Even with Gibson's Oscar-winning track record the $30 million dollar production has yet to acquire domestic distribution.

Four minutes of THE PASSION will be screened today to prospective distributors at the Australia Movie Convention.


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