Take That Mel! New Movie Portrays Jesus as Black

Posted Aug 29th 2006 4:36PM by TMZ Staff

Color of the CrossA new movie is depicting the last 48 hours of Christ's life. No, not "Passion of the Christ." It's called "Color of the Cross," an independent religious biopic that premiered at Cannes in May.

The movie bills itself as "the first dramatic film in Hollywood history ever to depict Christ as a man of color" and as "the first Christian based film to inject race as a possible factor in the Crucifixion of Christ."

"Color of the Cross" doesn't focus on the bloody torture of Christ's crucifixion (like some movies), but on his agonizing struggle with impending death. Writer, director and star Jean Claude LaMarre says, "Our movie is not about dividing Christians, but broadening their perspective. For centuries, Leonardo Da Vinci's portrayal of Jesus has been widely accepted. We are offering an alternative image. There's room for all. We will be seeking the Pope's blessing on this one."

It is scheduled for release in Fall 2006.

Filed under: Movies

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(Page 1 of 5) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. passion of the muthaf***in christ starring samuel l. jackson. lol.

Posted at 5:27PM on Aug 29th 2006 by dumpy

2. "the first Christian based film to inject race as a possible factor in the Crucifixion of Christ."

Actually, the movie "Dogma" by Kevin Smith touched on the controversy that Christ may have been a race other than Caucasian.

Posted at 5:32PM on Aug 29th 2006 by Stormy

3. SAY WHA?!

Posted at 5:41PM on Aug 29th 2006 by Melissa

4. Jesus was a Jew. Jewish people are not black and a lot of israelis do have color. It is the Middle East area (all year tan). Just another movie that will cause commotion. Sounds stupid and I hate when people want to play the race card as a cause to put someone to death. Jesus was a common man and blended in his community. He did not stick out like a sore thumb. It was his message that set him apart not his skin color. If you read the Bible New Testement - you would know that high priest and other religious leaders found him as a threat to community because he taught about God differently than they did. So they constantly were trying to catch any flaws in his teachings. People should stop making movies about Jesus if they don't really know about Him. The Africans/African-Americans have their history let the Jews have theirs. I am tired of people, for the sake of equal opportunity, trying to inter-weave the Africans/African-Americans in many things. Their community would not want us to tamper into their history and inter-weaving any white / hispanic / chinese people etc. just to tell a story to "broaden our perspective." It's silly and people should just grow up. It should not matter what race Jesus is but for some they just want to claim this entity for themselves. I am hispanic should I then turn and make a movie depicting Christ as Columbian because it suits me. It is just wrong.

Posted at 5:47PM on Aug 29th 2006 by UR ALL NUTS

5. Once again TMZ your taking a cheap shot at Mel. This story has nothing to do with him. Get a life Harvey!

A Devoted Mel Fan

Loved Dogma by the way!

Posted at 5:47PM on Aug 29th 2006 by Lisa

6. amen #2

Posted at 6:06PM on Aug 29th 2006 by New One

7. Come on you people. Everyone knows that Jaysus' was Irish.

Posted at 6:06PM on Aug 29th 2006 by The Truth

8. Who cares what color skin Jesus supossedly had ? What ever !!! It was his soul that reigns eternal. I get so sick of this contraversy. I would still feel the same way about the guy if I found out he was PURPLE WITH YELLOW POKADOTS.
BIG DEAL.........................NEXT . ( and by the way for POST #2 I know Jews who are black )

Posted at 6:08PM on Aug 29th 2006 by I am color blind

9. #2, Judaism is a religion, not a race of people. I guess all Christians are white, all Muslims are Arabs, and all buddhists are asian. As far as Jesus being black, brown, or green it's irrelevant. He died for our sins and taught love of thy neighbor. Something all of us should do in our lives.

Posted at 6:12PM on Aug 29th 2006 by Mike

10. So far everyone on this message board is on the right track - more cheap tricks ala TMZ - don't fall for them. Hey good luck LaMarre. The history channel has already proven Jesus was NOT black through modern ferensics combined with logic - and as NUTS message #2 points out. But hey - have fun with the flick. It will sell to some - but not to me. I've had it with all this bash Mel stuff. The more you bash - the more I will fight back by not taking any interest in what you have to offer.

I will employ my own screening methods. No more movies by those who bash the artistic work of others - especially work by non-jews - goyim if you prefer. No more. And I will further decide on my own - without the aid of some self-serving critic's advice of what I want to see, and I will judge for myself its worth. I am sick and tired of Hollywood big shots - those who bash Mel and others who are not of the Jewish faith. I think there's room for all in the movie business. But in my world there is no more room for movie making bullies.

Good, bad, or indifferent Mel - I will be seeing your next movie. And thanks for all those others over the years that have entertained me and my friends through your gifted work.

Posted at 6:15PM on Aug 29th 2006 by sues

11. Hey Sues, perhaps you should hang out at Moonlicker's, or whatever that place in Malibu is called where Melsey get's torn up. Can you spell groupy?

Posted at 6:20PM on Aug 29th 2006 by The Truth

12. P.S. To all of you who are defending whatever race it is you are defending - black Jews, green Christians, orange Muslims, etc. Remember two thousand years ago the races were more pure - people did not mix as they do today. So sorry to you all, but #2 is correct in his description that as a Jew of the time, Jesus was not black - just very tan.

Posted at 6:22PM on Aug 29th 2006 by sues

13. You forgot that in the Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar Jesus was played by a black actor. This movie is just an attempt to promote an agenda that is false. I had to burst the bubble but Jesus was NOT black. Please everybody stop trying to rewrite the Bible to fit their needs.

Posted at 6:22PM on Aug 29th 2006 by Carol Hodges

14. JESUS was a liberal JEW!!! Don't get your panties in a bunch kids, the Bible et al is just a myth.... the best thing that could happen in this world would be all religions to just go away... seriously folks, how many people have died in the name of god... give it a rest. If you want to be spiritual, good for you, just don't hold the whole world hostage.
And Mel, face it folks, the guy's just a big gas bag and his personal limitations absolutely limit his ability to contribute to any kind of larger artistic conversation. He doesn't need to be defended- just live your own life and hope for the best- he sure needs it, as do we all.

Posted at 6:23PM on Aug 29th 2006 by stephen s

15. Why is everyone quick to point out he is not black. its a movie no one questions all the caucasion that have played him over the years. Big deal and just like jews when did black become a race please tell me where black people come from? Not all people with dark skin come from africa.

Posted at 6:27PM on Aug 29th 2006 by whatthe??

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