ZGram - 7/24/2003 - "Is this the movie that will break the big taboo?"

[zgrams at zgrams.zundelsite.org]

ZGram - Where Truth is Destiny:  Now more than ever!

July 24, 2003

Good Morning from the Zundelsite:

Now here is a movie I cannot wait to see!

[START]

Mel Gibson's Washington Power Play

By Lloyd Grove

Tuesday, July 22, 2003; Page C03

Movie star Mel Gibson -- under fire from Jewish groups and religious
scholars for his still-unreleased film that graphically portrays the
crucifixion of Jesus -- yesterday screened a two-hour rough cut of "The
Passion" for a select group of Washington pundits, clergymen, cybergossip
Matt Drudge and Hollywood lobbyist Jack Valenti, and at least one White
House staffer.

"I've heard people talking about how I can't get a distributor," the
casually dressed Gibson -- sporting sweat pants, sandals and white socks --
told the four dozen audience members. "Believe me, I can get a distributor."

A vocal conservative and devout Catholic, the 47-year-old Academy Award
winner has weathered accusations of anti-Semitism for the movie, which is
being produced by his company, Icon Productions. The influential
Anti-Defamation League, which monitors incidents of anti-Semitism, has been
especially critical, pointing out on its Web site the long historical
relationship between passion plays and attacks on Jews: "ADL has serious
concerns regarding Mr. Gibson's 'The Passion' and asks: Will the final
version of 'The Passion' continue to portray Jews as blood-thirsty, sadistic
and money-hungry enemies of Jesus? Will it correct the unambiguous depiction
of Jews as the ones responsible for the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus?"

Yesterday's secret screening at the Motion Picture Association of America
included columnists Peggy Noonan, Cal Thomas and Kate O'Beirne; conservative
essayist Michael Novak; President Bush's abortive nominee for labor
secretary, Linda Chavez; staff director Mark Rodgers of the Senate
Republican conference chaired by Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.); former
Republican House member Mark Siljander of Michigan; and White House staffer
David Kuo, deputy director of the Office of Faith-Based and Community
Initiatives.

"I find this sad," said ADL National Director Abraham Foxman, who hasn't
been permitted to see the movie. "Here's a man who appeals to the mass
audience, but he feels he has to surround himself with a cordon sanitaire of
people who back him theologically and maybe ideologically and will stand up
and be supportive when the time comes. My request still stands: I would like
to see the movie, and if it turns out I was wrong, I'll be the first to say
so."

Yesterday when the lights came up, many in the audience -- who were required
to sign a confidentiality agreement before being admitted to the screening
room -- were in tears. Some were sobbing, we hear.

"Heartbreaking," Michael Novak told Gibson. "

[END]

(Source: 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A26264-2003Jul22?language=printer
washingtonpost.com )