Do they? After all, you did question if there ever was a backlash on the German people.
Certainly if the numerous Holocaust movies, documentaries (69 documentaries made since 1990), special presentations, survivor stories, interviews with the children of, myths surrounding, revisiting the scenes of, etc, have not caused a backlash on the German people, how can we "understand" the reaction of the ADL and other critics of the movie? Based on what?
Could the answer be as simple as, "The Jewish people do not want any movie to portray them in a negative light"? And the reaction to The Passion is a shot across the bow, demonstrating to any future producer what can be expected?
I don't know. Do you?
After all, you did question if there ever was a backlash on the German people.
And was there?
Certainly if the numerous Holocaust movies, documentaries (69 documentaries made since 1990), special presentations, survivor stories, interviews with the children of, myths surrounding, revisiting the scenes of, etc, have not caused a backlash on the German people, how can we "understand" the reaction of the ADL and other critics of the movie? Based on what?
Empathy with the Jewish people.
Could the answer be as simple as, "The Jewish people do not want any movie to portray them in a negative light"?
All "the Jewish people"? Do you think there's a conspiracy?
And the reaction to The Passion is a shot across the bow, demonstrating to any future producer what can be expected?
Perhaps. Perhaps not.
For me, the movie is unimportant - the attempt to silence it and the reaction to those attempts are much more interesting.
I strongly disagree with the attempts to silence Gibson or beg him to change the dialog. I understand their motivations and don't think it has anything to do with making sure Jews are not attacked as a result of this movie. And I applaud Gibson's resistance and contempt for those who would dare to question him or get him to change his movie.
Gibson's movie will be honest and refreshing. Just as you are.