Jesus Of Montreal
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Sun 11 April 2004 // 21:00
Mon 12 April 2004 // 21:00
Tue 13 April 2004 // 21:00
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Wed 14 April 2004 // 21:00
Jesus of Montreal
(Denys Arcand / Canada/France / 1989 / 120 mins / dvd / cert 15)
Daniel,a young actor, is asked by the Catholic priest Father LeClerc, a theatre enthusiast, to update a version of The Passion play that has been staged in the famous Montreal basilica for more than 40 years. Daniel recruits a younger and more inventive cast and the show gathers a big, curious and enthusiastic audience. The media describes the play as sensational and the show becomes a huge success, despite the lack of approval from Daniels employer.
Daniel becomes fascinated with some of the more unorthodox theories that he encounters in his research of Jesus' life, including questions of Jesus' true parentage, and these details go into the play. When the play is finally staged, it emerges as an avant-garde performance piece, with audiences ushered to the various installations representing the events in Jesus' life. Meanwhile, gradually and inevitably, the actors find that the life of Christ has an extraordinary impact on their real-life existence.
On the 15th anniversary of its release this film is just as impacting- especially with Easter marking the coming of our lord Mel Gibson in 'The Passion of the Christ'. 'Jesus of Montreal' is more deeply felt, elegantly rendered movie about simple acts of faith. It is pious without being sanctimonious, religious without being preachy.
(Denys Arcand / Canada/France / 1989 / 120 mins / dvd / cert 15)
Daniel,a young actor, is asked by the Catholic priest Father LeClerc, a theatre enthusiast, to update a version of The Passion play that has been staged in the famous Montreal basilica for more than 40 years. Daniel recruits a younger and more inventive cast and the show gathers a big, curious and enthusiastic audience. The media describes the play as sensational and the show becomes a huge success, despite the lack of approval from Daniels employer.
Daniel becomes fascinated with some of the more unorthodox theories that he encounters in his research of Jesus' life, including questions of Jesus' true parentage, and these details go into the play. When the play is finally staged, it emerges as an avant-garde performance piece, with audiences ushered to the various installations representing the events in Jesus' life. Meanwhile, gradually and inevitably, the actors find that the life of Christ has an extraordinary impact on their real-life existence.
On the 15th anniversary of its release this film is just as impacting- especially with Easter marking the coming of our lord Mel Gibson in 'The Passion of the Christ'. 'Jesus of Montreal' is more deeply felt, elegantly rendered movie about simple acts of faith. It is pious without being sanctimonious, religious without being preachy.