I never read the book by Anne Rice on which this movie is based but I think she wrote this while she still considered herself a Christian which she no longer does. But it seems to me the worth of this movie will depend on the writers and directors and of course, the casting. I mean, how do you cast Jesus as a child? Seems like a tall order to me.
Cyrus Nowrasteh, who directed The Stoning of Soraya M. with Jim Caviezel, reportedly said of his own religion that he is “Muslim by birth, Christian by marriage, and Jewish by inclination.”
We’ll see.
I don’t plan on reading it anytime soon and I may or may not see the movie. I hope it’s well intentioned and I hope it’s good.
Aint it Cool reports:
Last year, Chris Columbus’ 1492 pictures made a deal to develop a few films, including an film version of Anne Rice’s novel about Jesus’ childhood, CHRIST THE LORD. Today, FilmDistrict put out a press release that announces that they will distribute the adaptation sometime in March 2015. It is being scripted by Betsy and Cyrus Nowrasteh, the latter of whom will also direct. The couple is responsible for THE STONING OF SORAYA M., an acclaimed film about the stoning of an Iranian woman inaccurately accused of infidelity. Cyrus, on his own, has written the controversial doc THE PATH TO 9/11 and wrote/directed the Richard Dreyfus TV movie, THE DAY REAGAN WAS SHOT.
Rice’s 2005 book focuses on Jesus Christ as a young child, around 7 or 8 years old, as he begins to come to grips with his destiny and his amazing, miraculous powers. Provocative stuff, indeed, and one which, if done well, could sidestep all potential controversy and just be a really powerful, captivating period film. Anne Rice is still a huge literary name for her VAMPIRE CHRONICLES, from which came one great movie (INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE) and one forgotten one (QUEEN OF THE DAMNED). Her name matched with this source material should provide for an interesting marketing campaign when this flick rolls out in 2015.
CHRIST THE LORD will probably shoot sometime in late-2013/2014 to meet its U.S. release date sometime in March 2015.
June 22, 2013 at 7:32 pm
I read the book and at the time thought it was a fascinating look at what might have happened. I still think that but I think it could be easily misunderstood or misapplied. I found it beneficial to meditate upon Jesus and the Holy Family in this way but you have to keep in mind that it is not factual. Beneficial in much the same way that learning about visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich or Mary of Agreda. Fascinating and beautiful but don't get too carried away with it. It did not seem to me to be in conflict with what we do know and with tradition; we can't be sure and there is a lot of room for trouble. What has happened to Anne Rice since adds to my caution about the book and the movie. I would not now recommend either.
June 23, 2013 at 2:56 pm
I would definitely rather see a movie based on the visions of Ven. Mary of Agreda or Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich. I'm not particularly interested in how Anne Rice imagines Christ in his childhood. It sounds a lot like the words from a "guest speaker" at RCIA (which was basically all about what Sister Betty "earth mother" thought the Church should teach.
June 23, 2013 at 3:05 pm
Much of the story was based on the Gnostic gospels–including, if I remember correctly, the Gnostic story of Jesus getting angry and killing a bird and then raising it back to life, and the idea that he didn't know who he was until a certain point in his life…
That being said, I think there were some fascinating reflections on the Holy Family, and some great moments when you feel the excitement of the family for the events occurring.
June 23, 2013 at 4:46 pm
Anne Rice denounced organized Christianity. She says Christ is still central to her life and her faith centers on personal prayer.
Take that for what it is.
June 24, 2013 at 11:22 pm
The book is terrible! Based on ludicrous gnostic texts, it isn't Christian, even if Rice claimed to be Christian when she wrote it. It involves a young Jesus creating birds out of clay then bringing them to life, and even MURDERING ANOTHER CHILD, whom he then revives.
It's blasphemous! I read the first chapter, then proceeded to destroy the book.
June 25, 2013 at 2:34 am
I'm going to reserve judgment until I've seen the film. I respect Cyrus Nowrasteh, especially since his film "The Path to 9/11" was buried with the Ark of the Covenant after one showing- too embarrassing to Bill Clinton.
June 25, 2013 at 2:34 pm
beez, I felt the same way and did the same thing you did. I had high hopes for that book and was disappointed that it was garbage.