Actor, Producer of “The Passion of Christ”
Compiled by Trisha Bleau Smith
Trisha: Having now heard so much about The Passion and having read the wonderful reviews people have shared I am very excited about experiencing this movie myself and anxiously await the time we’ll be able to do so! What motivated you to create such a movie? Where did the inspiration come from and what challenges have you faced since beginning the process?
MG: I had to make this film; I couldn’t not make it. About 13 years ago I came to a difficult point in my life, and meditating on Christ’s sufferings, on his Passion, got me through it. Life is hard, and we all get wounded by it – I was no exception. I went to the wounds of Christ in order to cure my wounds. And when I did that, through reading, and studying, and meditating, and praying, I began to see in my own mind what he really went through. I began to understand it as I never had before, even though I had heard the story so many times. It was like giving birth: the story, the way I envisioned the suffering of Christ, got inside me and started to grow, and it reached a point where I just had to tell it, to get it out.
Marla: Do you feel that having the film in another language or having subtitles will affect attendance in any way? (Expansion from Trisha: How has this affected those who have seen the movie already? What feedback have you received in regards to the language?)
MG: I just wanted to make it as real as possible. If you have Jesus and Pilate and the Virgin Mary speaking English, you can’t avoid making it sound fake. It wasn’t the easiest way to go, but the finished project confirms – in my mind at least – that it was the best way to go. It forces you to focus more on the visual images, to read into what you see and depend less on the words. It united the actors too. They came from different countries, different religious backgrounds, different language groups, but having them work together in Aramaic and Latin created an incredible unity, a real bond. That added to the intensity of the performances.
Patti: Did you do any cameos at all in the movie, even in a crowd?
(Not an answer from Mel, but for your information, his was the hand shown nailing Jesus’ hands onto the cross, and his were the feet in the sand in the scene with Mary Magdalene.)
Jason: Did you take part in the selection of actors? How did those who appeared in the movie get selected for it? Did you require that they all be Christians or have faith in God?
(Again, not an answer from Mel, but he did have input into the main character selections, especially Jim Caviezel for Jesus. Many of the other smaller roles were cast by an agency in Italy. There was no religious requirement for the actors – they came from all walks and faiths.)
Mandy: Is it true that you said if the movie wasn’t meant to be made God could strike you down with lightening? And after that some cast member was struck with lightning?
(Again, not from Mel, but only want to circulate the facts. Mel never said that about the movie, but it is true that Jim Caviezel was struck with lightening on the set.)
Trisha: What is the message you hope to send with this movie? Is it evangelistic in nature – the message of salvation? Or do you have another message you hope to send through this film, perhaps simply sharing the REAL story of what happened on the cross…?
MG: I hope it makes people think. I hope it makes them reflect. The movie is about faith, hope, love, and forgiveness. If it stirs those things up in people, it will be a success. I hope it makes people ask questions, and maybe even make them want to read (or re-read) “the book”.
Andy: When did you make a decision to submit your life to Jesus Christ? (Note from Trisha: This is a great opportunity to share your own testimony of God’s grace and mercy in your own life. Many people are interested in hearing about your faith and how it affects your life and work.)
(See question one – the birth of this film was what you might call Mel’s salvation experience. Remember that he is Catholic, so while having faith in Christ, he wouldn’t express his salvation or testimony quite like an evangelical protestant would.)
Trisha: What are your next plans for the media? Do you plan to do any other movies along the same lines? Or have you hung up your Spiritual boots and spurs after this project?
MG: There are still plenty of stories worth telling. I don’t think I’m finished trying to tell them in film. This story of Christ’s suffering and death is, in my opinion, the greatest story, the greatest heroism, but that doesn’t mean other brands and manifestations of heroism have nothing to say to us.
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