Crimes Of Passion

Mel Gibson has vehemently refuted claims that his upcoming Christ film, The Passion, is anti-Catholic and anti-Semitic. The accusations were made by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops after they obtained an early draft of the script from an unknown source. "To be certain, neither I nor my film is anti-Semitic," Gibson told variety. "The Passion is a movie meant to inspire not offend. My intention in bringing it to the screen is to create a lasting work of art and engender serious thought among audiences of diverse faith backgrounds (or none) who have varying familiarity with this story." "Nor do I hate anybody - certainly not the Jews," Gibson continued. "They are my friends and associates, both in my work and social life. Thankfully, treasured friendships forged over decades are not easily shaken by nasty innuendo. Anti-Semitism is not only contrary to my personal beliefs, it is also contrary to the core message of my movie." Gibson also dismissed further accusations that the film would promote Christian elements condemned by the Catholic church as heresy, "For those concerned about the content of this film, know that it conforms to the narratives of Christ's passion and death found in the four Gospels of the New Testament." The Conference of Catholic Bishops has since apologised for their reaction to an unfinished draft of the film and have declared that they will reserve judgment until the finished product is available. The film, which stars Jim Caviezel as Jesus and Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalene wrapped in April and features purely Aramaic and Latin dialogue - without subtitles. Perhaps unsurprisingly it has yet to find a distributor.