Mel Gibson's The Passion, will be released in Australia in March

THE AGE ^ | September 25, 2003 | By Lawrie Zion

[joobers]

Passion debate continues

While it has been confirmed that Mel Gibson's controversial film, The Passion, will be released in Australia in March through Icon Film Distribution, the Aramaic-language feature has yet to secure a distribution deal in the US. Gibson co-owns Icon with Bruce Davey.

The film, which depicts the last 12 hours in the life of Jesus, continues to attract attention following private screenings. And it has been praised by the Vatican's Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, who urged all Christians to see it.

Quoted in the US publication National Review Online, Hoyos said: "This film is a triumph of art and faith. It will be a tool for explaining the person and message of Christ. I am confident that it will change for the better everyone who sees it, both Christians and non-Christians alike". But, as reported in The Age on Tuesday, Jewish groups, including the US Anti-Defamation League remain concerned by the film and by remarks that Gibson has made in its defence.

[karenbarinka]

So Mel controls the distribution of his films Down Under, and The Passion hits the big screen there Ash Wednesday, come hell or ADL. Can you spell ROAD TRIP boys and girls? Easter lamb on the barbie, anyone? Let's see, Spring in Australia is like Fall, right? Dying leaves seem soooo metaphorically appropriate Passion-and-Death-of-Christ-wise.

Better book those tickets now, though. If the politicians who recently libeled The Passion pornography or the rabbi who recently opined that the road to Auschwitz began at Calvary get their way, no American will ever see The Passion in a movie theatre or even be allowed to buy the video -- "I want it buried," sayeth a New York pol. Hmmmm..... didn't they try to bury Christianity once before and it just wouldn't stay dead!

[smpc]

I dont know if this article means that Australia is the only country to have confirmed release or the only english speaking country.Surely it would have distribution in places like Brazil and Italy....wouldnt it?