Color of The Cross

[Amelia]

[]http://www.colorofthecross.com/images/ColorofCross_6_4.jpg[/]

Coming Oct 2006

'Cross'

Black Jesus pic looks to tap controversy

By GABRIEL SNYDER

The success Mel Gibson had in transforming churchgoers into moviegoers with "The Passion of the Christ" has inspired another indie production on the story of the last hours in the life of Jesus Christ.

But "Color of the Cross," produced on a tiny $2.5 million budget, will feature a black actor portraying Christ.

Nu-Lite Entertainment production hopes to capitalize on the controversy of depicting a nonwhite Christ.

Under a recently inked deal, 20th Century Fox will distribute the film on homevideo, and the pic's producers say money from that deal will be put toward the marketing effort for the film's theatrical release in November. No distrib has been signed yet.

One of the producers is the Rev. Cecil "Chip" Murray, who during his 27 years as pastor at L.A.'s First AME Church used his pulpit to become a national religious and civil-rights leader. He said he hopes the film will reverse negative stereotypes of African Americans.

"We really need to do something about the negative imaging of black America," he said. "Black America is the only culture that worships in the form of foreign symbols. The good that can be done is that it can help lift people's interest and combat racism and discrimination."

While acknowledging the potential for controversy, Murray said the notion that Jesus was African isn't far-fetched.

"It's more likely that Jesus was black than it was that Jesus was European," he said. "It's not an assertion that is a difficult one."

"Color of the Cross" will star Jean-Claude La Marre, who is also directing and scripted the film. His past pics include African American-themed Westerns "Gang of Roses," which starred musicians Lil Kim and Bobby Brown, and "Brothers in Arms." None have made a big dent at the box office.

Recent portrayals of Jesus as black -- whether musician Kanye West posing as Christ on the cover of Rolling Stone or the depiction of Jesus as a modern-world African revolutionary in "Son of Man," which recently preemed at Sundance -- have attracted media coverage.

"Our movie is not about dividing Christians but broadening their perspective," La Marre said in a statement. "For centuries, Leonardo Da Vinci's portrayal of Jesus has been widely accepted. We are offering an alternative image. There's room for all."

Production got under way earlier this year and will resume later this month. La Marre hopes to have a version of the pic to show to potential theatrical distribs some time in April.

Also producing are Jessie Levostre, Marc Porterfield, Michele Gonda and Kenneth Halsband; Marcello Thedford is co-producer.

In addition to Jesus, black actors will also portray Mary (Debbi Morgan of "Coach Carter" and "Woman Thou Art Loosed"), Joseph and Judas, while the rest of the cast will be white or Middle Eastern.

The booming $371 million gross of "The Passion" has sparked a wave of other films with Christian themes, including major studio releases such as "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and the upcoming "The Da Vinci Code."

But even religious-themed indie pics made on tiny budgets with no big- name stars have done respectable biz, including current release "End of the Spear," a story about missionaries in Ecuador seeking to convert indigenous tribes. Since its Jan. 20 release, it has grossed $8.6 million. Likewise, "Therese: The Story of Saint Therese of Lisieux" did $2.6 million since it hit theaters last October.

Distribs have also found commercial success by reaching out to African-American churchgoers. Lionsgate credits such outreach for the $50.6 million gross for last year's "A Diary of a Mad Black Woman," which it hopes to repeat when Tyler Perry's follow-up "Madea's Family Reunion" bows Feb. 24.

In October, Sony and Screen Gems' church drama "The Gospel" grossed $15.8 million; a year earlier, the adaptation of Bishop T.D. Jakes' self-help novel "Woman Thou Art Loosed" collected $6.9 million.

In Murray's 27 years at First AME, his services attracted the likes of Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela and Michael Jackson. He's now joined the faculty of USC's Center for Religion but hopes that by adding movie producer to his long resume he'll continue to spread his faith.

FACTS

Did you know:

1. That the Bible describes Jesus' hair as "wooly" in texture and feet brown as brass.

2. Prior to the Roman Catholic church's commisioning Davinci, Jesus was always portrayed as a dark-skinned Semite.

3. That Jesus' hair, as with most Jews of that period, would have been worn short.

4. After a price was placed on his head when he was an infant, Jesus was forced into exile, escaping into Egypt and hiding there for several years before returning to Jeruselem. Not to have been detected in Egypt assumes he was of the same color hue as the Egyptians.

5. Jesus was a descendent of Basheeba, an African woman. They shared the same lineage.

6. Hollywood has never made a black jesus movie, before "Color Of The Cross" was independently made.

http://www.colorofthecross.com/home.htm

[Neil D]

Knowing Mel Gibson penchant for graphicness [not necessarily realness], this Christ might be more in line with what I would like to see. But then again, if the graphic nature of the death is a bit 'too real', I might just avoid this one also

[Parade Orange]

I grew up with the image of a blondish blue eyed Jesus Christ. Therefore it will be a little suprise to see a nonwhite Jesus Christ.

I would love to see a different look. The box that I put Jesus Christ in is too small.

God bless

Gay4JESUS

[Halfstep Denise]

Matthew 2:13-15 states that the angel told Joseph to take Jesus and Mary to flee to Egypt. It didn't say they "hid" there nor does it say that they had to look like the Egyptians.

Jesus may have been descended from someone who was black, but that doesn't mean He was black. Thomas Jefferson has at least one black woman who is a descendant.

Matthew 1 has Jesus' lineage from Adam to his earthly father, Joseph, but unless there's something we don't know yet, Jesus and Joseph don't share DNA. If they do, it blows the whole virgin birth story out of the water.

Halfstep Denise

[Amelia]

Denise, those are not my facts but those from their website stating why Jesus should be black.

[Michelle]

"2. Prior to the Roman Catholic church's commisioning Davinci, Jesus was always portrayed as a dark-skinned Semite. "

Dark-skinned and black aren't the same thing, but you know, I'm not quibbling--Jesus wasn't "white" either, so why should it matter how he's portrayed? I've seen some beautiful paintings of Jesus as Chinese and Jesus as Thai--why not Jesus as Black?

"4. After a price was placed on his head when he was an infant, Jesus was forced into exile, escaping into Egypt and hiding there for several years before returning to Jeruselem. Not to have been detected in Egypt assumes he was of the same color hue as the Egyptians. "

The few Egyptians I know are not Black. My one friend was always being mistaken for Mexican, and my other friend looks Mediterranean (SP?). However, I've never been there and Jesus as a Jew could easily "fit in with" these women.

I'm much more concerned with Jesus' portrayal personally. Is the story true to the Biblical accounts? If so, good for them. If not, it shouldn't be supported.

M

[Halfstep Denise]

Hi, Amelia!

I knew that they weren't your words, and thank you for posting the information! I was just commenting on what was being said in the article.

Halfstep Denise

[Dr. Shane]

Quote:

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"End of the Spear," a story about missionaries in Ecuador seeking to convert indigenous tribes. Since its Jan. 20 release, it has grossed $8.6 million.

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Now that is a crying shame. It should have grossed that opening weekend. I will be buying the DVD and perhaps even giving it out for Christmas gifts this year.

Black Jesus... I am one for acuracy. I like Nathan Greene's Jesus myself, even though Jesus probbally had short hair.

[]http://www.hartclassics.com/images/products/jesusmarymartha_lg.jpg[/]

[Gregory Matthews]

Just tagging on:

And then there are the artistic representations of Christ as female.

I have seen some very meaningful ones.

[Amelia]

Now that just bothers me.

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

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Shane said:

Quote:

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I am one for acuracy.

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[:"red"] "For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him." [/] Isaiah 53:2 KJV

[Gregory Matthews]

In his human form, Christ had gender. Does God have gender? Is God male/female/or what?

[lazarus]

Conclusive proof that Jesus is now White...even if he was black on earth! GH = the Gospel Herald

"The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, Whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance." You are the children of God. He has adopted you, and He desires you to form characters here that will give you entrance into the heavenly family. Remembering this, you will be able to bear the trials which you meet here. In heaven there will be no color line; for all will be as white as Christ himself. Let us thank God that we can be members of the royal family. {GH, March 1, 1901 par. 20}

[Dr. Shane]

Conclusive proof, huh? I'm not sure what to think of that but conclusive isn't what comes to mind.

[Amelia]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

In his human form, Christ had gender. Does God have gender? Is God male/female/or what?

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Gregory you said the picture was of Christ as a female, not God. That is what bothers me.

[Gregory Matthews]

Amelia, I understand your point.

My question stems from the belief that God took human form, so can we express that form of God hanging on the cross in the form of a female?

In any case, while I have seen several artistic depections of Christ on the cross as a female, there is one that I found especially meaningful. That is simply my personal reflection.

Or, is the proper response that of one clergyperson that I showed that picture to "blasphemy?"

I guess each person will have to decide that.