'Passion' Star Denies Film is Anti-Semitic
Mel Gibson’s new film, "The Passion of the Christ," has turned into a huge controversy, with major magazine cover stories devoted to accusations of anti-Semitism due to the depiction of Jewish people as the killers of Christ. But Jim Caviezel, who plays Jesus in the film, flat out defends the film’s director, Mel Gibson.
"[Mel Gibson] is not anti-Semitic," Caviezel states. "This film does not play the blame game. This film is about love, forgiveness, sacrifice and hope."
Caviezel's physical challenges playing Christ were anything but heavenly. First, he dislocated a shoulder carrying the cross, which weighed 150 pounds. "It was very, very heavy," Caviezel revealed.
The star also suffered hypothermia and got pneumonia due to the freezing temperatures on location in Italy. "When you're on a cross you die by asphyxiation. I started to suffocate because my legs were losing circulation."
And Caviezel was injured twice during the scourging scenes by heavy metal whips, not to mention the time he was struck by lightening.
"All of a sudden it was like two hands slapped me upside the head," Caviezel recalls." I was seeing pink and I heard screams. I looked like I went to see Don King's hairstylist, I got lit up like a Christmas tree."
The question now is how will audiences interpret the film? "The Passion of the Christ" is in theaters on February 25th.
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