In 2016, an exceptional film, unfairly (but not surprisingly) ignored by the American Academy of Film (you know, the one with the Oscars), was released on the big screens: Risen.
It is among the best films ever about Jesus and His passing among us. Hence ideologically dangerous and politically incorrect.
That is why within the Hollywood world it was the equivalent of a miracle, being produced by Columbia Pictures, one of the five big companies of the American film industry. And launched in the midst of the Obama era – you know, the guy from the White House, the one with the „fundamental transformation” of America into its wokeist, climate-changist, sexually-fluidist, „multiculuralist” and unconstitutional alter ego – in short, into anti-America, her new rite communist version, obviously anti-Christian.
It wasn’t a miracle that the film covered its production expenses (about 20 million dollars) in the first weeks and then turned a profit of more than 100%. Most of the public doesn’t pay attention to what ideologues, academics and film critics want.
Most audiences want well-written, beautifully screened, well-acted stories with clear, optimistic message. And Risen 2016 has it ALL.
It’s an incredibly beautiful and well-made film, head to tail. Impeccable script, directing, cast, image, soundtrack, scenography, editing, costumes, etc., down to the smallest details. It impresses anyone, Christian, Pagan, Atheist, even if the message doesn’t suit everyone.
And last but not least, Joseph Fiennes. Excellent actor anyway, but giving here, I think, the performance of his life. The role of the pagan Roman tribune Clavius, a military commander who participates in the crucifixion of Jesus, then continues to persecute Jesus’ disciples, only to end up defecting, protecting the apostles and witnessing the Ascension. To see is to believe…
The film has another great quality, rare in current artistic films, let alone in documentaries: historical fidelity to the biblical text and context.
All the above in addition to the remarkable talent of the screenwriters, whose last line in the final scene should go down into the history of cinema as well as „We’ll always have Paris” (Casablanca) or „Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn” (Gone with the wind).
You have the final scene and line below. They take place after Clavius talked with the Resurrected Jesus the night before the Ascension, witnessed the Ascension, and parted with Peter and the other disciples who went to spread the Truth and the Word of God to all nations.
Modest house in the middle of the Judea desert, year 33 AD. The owner, who had fed and sheltered Clavius, and to whom Clavius, it is understood, had told what he had seen. The host asks Clavius:
-Tribune, do you truly believe all this?
Clavius, after leaving his ring of high Roman official (magistrate and military commander) on the table as payment, answers:
– I believe … I can never be the same.
Then he gets up and leaves walking slowly through the desert.
If you haven’t seen it, watch it now. Risen, 2016. If you did see it, watch it again. There is no better time for this than Christmas time – apart from Easter.
And don’t forget to believe in miracles. They’re still happening, if you pay attention. Except they are not just „happening”. They have the same source as 2000 years ago. Guess which that may be …
Merry Christmas!
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