March 24, 2004

-The following is an excerpt from the March 26, 2004 edition of USA TODAY, Blue Section.

"Passion of the Christ" Pulled From Theaters

    In response to a wave of grisly inner city violence, controversial film "The Passion of the Christ" was withdrawn from over thirty theaters in downtown multiplexes in Detroit, Washington DC, and Philadelphia.  Milton Wagstaff, the public relations director for the Royal Cinema Corporation, defended his company's actions.  "This is in no way a response to activist groups' concerns about the anti-Semitic  and crypto-fascist content of the film.  We're fine with all that.  Those elements of the film don't bother us at all.  However, the sad fact is that an small portion of the film's audience has embraced some of the more violent aspects of the movie.  Though we at Royal Cinemas are in no way responsible for their actions, we feel it is in the best interests of the communities to halt showings of 'The Passion of the Christ' for the time being." 

    Police in the affected areas have reported a shocking and disturbing wave of violence in the inner city neighborhoods where the film has been showing for the past four weeks.  Philadelphia Police Department spokesman John Maurice explained, "It's unbelievable what we are seeing in the streets.  Gangs of youths see that film and get all fired up by its relentless message of sadistic violence and cruelty.  We've seen new gangs forming all over downtown:  The Ninth Street Centurions, The Wyld Romanz, The Crazee Ancient Souljas ... there are new ones starting up every day.  We've seen a marked increase in associated violent street crime.  When compared to last year's figures, the statistics speak for themselves.  In 2003, we had no public scourgings as compared to over thirty-three aggravated whippings this year.  In 2003, we had zero spear-related assaults.  This year we have had over twenty-seven spearings reported just in the five key inner city precincts.  On a recent Saturday night a scuffle broke out in a popular downtown nightclub.  When the police arrived and shut down the club, during routine body searches they turned up seventeen cat o'nine tails, seven short swords, and five spears.  Well, it didn't take us long to put two and two together.  Virtually every gang member arrested in association with these crimes has seen 'The Passion' five or more times.  Several repeat offenders had seen the film over twenty times."

    As the community deals with this unexpected outbreak of violence and controversy, its leaders look for answers.  Social worker Gladys Crumpnick has her opinion.  "It is a classic example of 'violence in, violence out.'  These young people go to a movie expecting to see an uplifting religious story.  Instead, they see two hours of murder, mayhem, and sadistic torture that their parents and local religious leaders not only condone but applaud.  Personally, I was disturbed by the newspaper ads they were running that read 'The Passion of the Christ:  Come for the religion.  Stay for the violence.'"

    At one of the final showings of the film in downtown Philadelphia, a USA TODAY reporter interviewed two young men leaving the theater.  A sixteen year old who goes by the name Snappy G spoke frankly and enthusiastically about the the movie.  "Damn, that s__t was cold blooded!  It's the best straight up violent movie I seen since 'Scarface' came out on DVD.  That Mel Gibson is the bomb what with all the swords and spears and s__t.  Yo!  And that cat o'nine tails is bad!  That'll take the skin right off a brother's ass!  I got to get me one them!"  Snappy G's companion, a fifteen year old dressed in full Roman centurion regalia and a pair of red Air Jordan sneakers who introduced himself as Marco Aurelius, was circumspect:  "Damn!  Those Roman soldiers are just bad ass old school gangstas!  That Mel Gibson is a genius.  Did you see in 'Braveheart' when he had them cut out his guts and show them to him?  And how about in 'Lethal Weapon 4' when he cut off that bad dude's leg and gave him a beat down with it?  That's what I'm talkin' about!  You know Mad Mel has always got it going on!  I can't wait to see 'Passion 2.'  You just know there's gonna be more flat out crazy blood and guts!"

    Though the film has already brought in over two hundred and fifty million dollars in ticket sales, writer-director-producer Mel Gibson was quick to react to his film being shut down in major cities:  "It is just another sign that the dark forces aligned against this film are working hard to undermine true religion and freedom of expression and sabotage one of the most brilliant and transcendent movies of all time.  To be honest, 'The Passion of the Christ' is not about violence.  It's not about anti-Semitism.  It's not even about Christ.  It's about getting as many people as I can to buy a ticket and stuff seven bucks each in my goddamn pocket."  A spokeswoman from Gibson's production company Icon was quick to issue a statement noting that Mr. Gibson, a notorious prankster, was merely joking and really meant to say that a person's religious beliefs are intimate and personal and that he abhors the idea of any unscrupulous businessmen using sensationalism and controversy to make a quick buck and cheapen the whole idea of faith by turning it into nothing more than a way to sell popcorn.  She also noted that Icon was proud to announce that production had already begun on the official pre-quel to "The Passion of the Christ."  Tentatively titled "Bring Me the Head of John the Baptist," Quentin Tarantino has been signed to direct with John Travolta and Uma Thurman starring in what promises to be a hyper-violent yet intensely personal reflection on the nature of faith.