Holy Week is a time of deep spiritual reflection for many Filipinos. It’s an opportunity to pause and step back from the demands of our busy lives and contemplate the profound meaning of this sacred time. Beyond the traditions and rituals, Holy Week calls us to a personal introspection on the enduring themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the power of faith.
During this period, The Passion of the Christ merges as a compelling reminder of the immense suffering and ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Directed by Mel Gibson and based on Anne Catherine Emmerich’s book, The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, this film is an intense portrayal of the final twelve hours of Jesus Christ’s life, from his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane to his crucifixion and resurrection. It’s a testament to the betrayal, pain, and ultimate offering Jesus bore for the very people he came to redeem.
Gibson recounted how his inspiration for creating the film arose from a period of intense personal struggle, a “spiritual bankruptcy” that prompted him to turn towards the Bible for guidance. Although already familiar with the foundations of Christian belief, meditating on the Gospel in his time of need renewed his faith.
Gibson’s experience might resonate deeply with the Filipino experience, as a society deeply rooted in religious belief and familiar with the story of Christ’s passion. We grew up surrounded by films, drawings, sculptures, and various art forms dedicated to narrating and understanding the man from Nazareth, but reading historical accounts is often not enough for us to understand the gravity of Christ’s sacrifice.
From Caleb Deschanel’s artistic cinematography and John Debney’s moving score to Jim Caviezel’s profoundly moving performance as Christ, The Passion of the Christ makes it difficult for viewers to take their eyes off the screen at any given moment. No matter what you’re looking for this Holy Week, Gibson’s film delivers a visceral, theological, and artistic experience that resonates even today, 21 years after it premiered.
Speaking to Sight Magazine, director Mel Gibson shared what impact he hoped the film would have on its viewers: “I hope it spurs them on to investigate the life of Christ for themselves. And I don’t think you can’t be impacted by it. Some of the images are really strong, and I’ve decided not to hold back. Jim Caviezel (the actor who plays Jesus) said it really well. He said there will be some people that it will freak out…(b)ut there will be other people who can’t stop watching it, and even though they are horrified and terrified by it they will sit through the whole thing…By speaking very loudly, image and sound wise, it’s going to make people think very deeply.”
Gibson is also planning to film a sequel entitled Resurrection, with the hope of releasing it in the near future. This follow-up aims to explore the events after Christ’s crucifixion, delving further into the heart of Christian belief.
The Passion of the Christ will stream on Lionsgate Play PH via PLDT Home and Smart starting Maundy Thursday, April 17, 2025.
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