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Mel Gibson brings movie to city's church leaders
By KAMON SIMPSON- THE GAZETTE ^ | jun28 | lovesamina

Posted on 06/28/2003 7:50:11 AM PDT by joobers

Mel Gibson brings movie to city's church leaders

By KAMON SIMPSON- THE GAZETTE

Actor Mel Gibson has been getting closer to God.

On Thursday, that led him to Colorado Springs, where he visited New Life Church and Focus on the Family and previewed his upcoming film, “The Passion.”

Gibson, star of such films as the “Lethal Weapon” series and “Braveheart,” said it was his Christian faith that inspired “The Passion,” which depicts the final 12 hours in the life of Christ.

“I’m not a preacher and I’m not a pastor,” Gibson said. “But I really feel my career was leading me to make this. The Holy Ghost was working through me on this film, and I was just directing traffic. I hope the film has the power to evangelize.”

Although the film won’t be released until March, Gibson brought it to Colorado Springs — a national hub of evangelical Christianity — for one day to make sure its depiction of the Gospel was acceptable to leaders at Focus on the Family and to hundreds of church leaders, including Ted Haggard, New Life’s pastor and president of the National Evangelical Association.

“It conveys, more accurately than any other film, who Jesus was,” Haggard said based on clips he viewed at New Life. “You can’t help but be upset when you realize the gravity of what Jesus went through.”

As a Hollywood superstar, Gibson carries quite a bit of gravity himself. As word spread he was at Focus on the Family screening the film, almost 300 giddy staff members and visitors gathered outside the visitor’s center, hoping to catch a glimpse and get an autograph.

Gibson financed the $25-million film, which is seeking a distributor. He co-wrote the script, directed and produced the movie, which stars James Caviezel, a lesser known actor, as Christ.

On Thursday, he received feedback on the film, which has generated a buzz because it was shot in the Aramaic language of the time. Gibson, who has said the film will “transcend language barriers with visual story telling,” wants to release it without subtitles.

But subtitles were in place during Thursday’s showing for a small audience at the Focus on the Family visitor’s center, and local religious leaders told him those subtitles should stay in place to help spread the movie’s message to those not familiar with the story.

Based on the reaction of those who saw the film, they enthusiastically endorse it.

“I was very impressed,” said Don Hodel, president of Focus on the Family. “It’s certainly the most powerful portrayal of the passion I’ve ever seen or heard about. The movie is historically and theologically accurate.”

Wearing a gray shirt and black slacks, Gibson appeared on stage at New Life Church before the screening to address an audience of more than 800 ministers gathered for the Life Giving Leadership Conference, an annual event.

He was candid in relating how events more than a decade ago led him to become a more committed Christian.

“I’ve been pastor at New Life Church for 18 years, and I don’t remember anyone displaying a fear of God on our platform the way Mel did today,” Haggard said.

A Catholic, Gibson attended Mass every morning during shooting because “we had to be squeaky clean just working on this,” he said.

“It was a strange mixture of the most difficult thing I’ve ever done, along with this incredible ease,” Gibson said. “Everyone who worked on this movie was changed. There were agnostics and Muslims on set converting to Christianity.”

When Haggard thanked Gibson for making the film, Gibson said, “I was afraid not to.”

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0367 or ksimpson@gazette.com

http://www.gazette.com/popupNews.php?id=408774


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Mel Gibson brings movie to city's church leaders
1 posted on 06/28/2003 7:50:11 AM PDT by joobers
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To: joobers
I cannot wait to see this film. I know it's going to be overwhelming, but I want to support it anyway.
2 posted on 06/28/2003 7:52:14 AM PDT by lawgirl (God's divine and all-knowing punishment for the Clintons: America loves George W. Bush)
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To: joobers
I love that he ued the word "evangalize". We Catholics aren't great in that department in this country. Go Mel!!
3 posted on 06/28/2003 7:55:59 AM PDT by Ann Archy
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To: joobers
local religious leaders told him those subtitles should stay in place to help spread the movie’s message to those not familiar with the story.

They might have a point. Gibson might want to consider what he wants he film to do and make his decision based upon that (art or spread the gospel). At any rate, he can have the DVD set up so people can turn the subtitles off.

Then again, people could take a copy of the New Testament with the them to the theater if they have trouble following the script ;-)

4 posted on 06/28/2003 8:00:04 AM PDT by Prodigal Son
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To: joobers
local religious leaders told him those subtitles should stay in place to help spread the movie’s message to those not familiar with the story.

I'd love to see the movie and to see it as Mel intends it to BE seen. Who, in the year 2003, in any cinema in the world is NOT familiar with the story?
5 posted on 06/28/2003 8:04:47 AM PDT by yankeedog (I wasn't born in the South, but I got here as soon as I could.)
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To: lawgirl
ME TOO, Lawgirl. I wonder if there is some way to encourage Mel in this project. He's been attacked from every side and I think it would help him to know how much support he really has. I love his statement: "I was afraid not too." I surely know how that goes. Been there, done that.
6 posted on 06/28/2003 8:05:18 AM PDT by WVNan
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To: joobers
Co.Springs bump.
7 posted on 06/28/2003 8:33:28 AM PDT by Reagan Man
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To: Reagan Man
Muslims...converting to Christianity??? Let's just put Mel in charge of Iraq then.
8 posted on 06/28/2003 8:37:05 AM PDT by Hildy
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To: yankeedog
I don't know Aramaic and only a little Latin.
9 posted on 06/28/2003 8:48:38 AM PDT by SwinneySwitch (Freedom is not Free - Support the Troops!)
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To: yankeedog
Who, in the year 2003, in any cinema in the world is NOT familiar with the story?

Sadly, far more than would've been the case just a few decades ago. I recently watched a DVD designed to coach Christians on witnessing. It included a lot of actual on-the-street witness attempts. I was shocked at how many people were positively clueless. It's hard to believe how far this society has slipped so quickly.

MM

10 posted on 06/28/2003 8:53:19 AM PDT by MississippiMan
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To: joobers
After what the SCOTUS just did this nation needs this movie.
11 posted on 06/28/2003 9:22:20 AM PDT by fella
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To: MississippiMan
I know I'd prefer it with the subtitles. I'm one of the clueless, although not totally clueless, about some of the stories in the Bible and about some details of Jesus's life. I think it would have more power with the non-Christian, the non-believer, the indifferent if it bore the subtitles. Way to go Mel--I think he has had the power of God working with him on this project--I'm sure it will be magnificent.
12 posted on 06/28/2003 9:35:37 AM PDT by beaversmom (Celebrating May 5th and all days with an American Flag)
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To: joobers
Post original titles only please.
13 posted on 06/28/2003 9:42:47 AM PDT by Admin Moderator
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To: Admin Moderator
SORRY
14 posted on 06/28/2003 9:44:16 AM PDT by joobers
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To: joobers
Although the film won’t be released until March,

Brilliant timing (although I want to see it now!). The film will be released during Lent 2004.

I just checked and Easter 2004 is on April 11.

15 posted on 06/28/2003 9:46:29 AM PDT by cyncooper
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To: joobers
But subtitles were in place...

I know it will be an extra investment of time...
but I want to see it in theatrical release WITHOUT subtitles the first time.

Then see it with the subtitles. That way I'll at least give Mel the chance to
show me what his vision actually was.
Once I see the subtitles, it will be hard to "forget" them later!
...just my own idiosyncratic view...
16 posted on 06/28/2003 9:50:44 AM PDT by VOA
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To: Prodigal Son
I think that part of his idea is to get people to read the Biblical account.
17 posted on 06/28/2003 10:09:30 AM PDT by Question_Assumptions
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To: yankeedog
20 times as many are not familiar than those who are. Where have you been? Many people in mainline churches have not be preached the passion in decades. Certainly most people around the world do not know the passion story.
18 posted on 06/28/2003 11:08:07 AM PDT by Broward Lion
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To: joobers

Great article on "The Passion." Extensive but worth the read.

Mel Gibson's Passion


19 posted on 06/29/2003 6:47:29 AM PDT by truthandlife
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To: Broward Lion
I would love to talk with anyone unfamiliar with the story.
They would have to be English speaking.
20 posted on 06/29/2003 8:28:16 AM PDT by yankeedog (I wasn't born in the South, but I got here as soon as I could.)
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