Home : Movies : Take That Mel! New Movie Portrays Jesus as Black

Take That Mel! New Movie Portrays Jesus as Black

Posted Aug 29th 2006 4:36PM by TMZ Staff

Color of the CrossA new movie is depicting the last 48 hours of Christ's life. No, not "Passion of the Christ." It's called "Color of the Cross," an independent religious biopic that premiered at Cannes in May.

The movie bills itself as "the first dramatic film in Hollywood history ever to depict Christ as a man of color" and as "the first Christian based film to inject race as a possible factor in the Crucifixion of Christ."

"Color of the Cross" doesn't focus on the bloody torture of Christ's crucifixion (like some movies), but on his agonizing struggle with impending death. Writer, director and star Jean Claude LaMarre says, "Our movie is not about dividing Christians, but broadening their perspective. For centuries, Leonardo Da Vinci's portrayal of Jesus has been widely accepted. We are offering an alternative image. There's room for all. We will be seeking the Pope's blessing on this one."

It is scheduled for release in Fall 2006.

Tags: color of the cross, ColorOfTheCross

Comments [70]
SHARE |
4ie6

Reader Comments

(Page 5 of 5) Previous 15 Comments

61. HEY KATHRYN, I DON'T CARE WHAT COLOR JESUS IS EITHER. I JUST LOVE HIM. HE DIED FOR ME ON THE CROSS. I'LL WATCH THE MOVIE REGUARDLESS WHAT COLOR THEY MAKE HIM.

Posted at 12:45PM on Aug 30th 2006 by Marques

62. We all know that Jesus wasn't actually white right? He wasn't black either. Someone please look at a map, Jesus was from what is now the Middle East. He was born into the Jewish religion. Jesus serves everyone who believes, so stop with the political correctness.

Read #4's comment.

Posted at 12:48PM on Aug 30th 2006 by sandy

63. Marques + Kathryn. Your my new hero!!

Posted at 1:44PM on Aug 30th 2006 by kathryn

64. I love it when movies invoke the most inane comments from the least religious, least Christ-like beings on the planet and how race always makes those same fools act like idiots, all in the name of preserving precious Jesus' race. Get over it, he was a dark-skinned man, which in this great country, makes him automatically Black.

Posted at 3:50PM on Aug 30th 2006 by Jane

65. If you look at the legend of the Egyptian god, Horace; he died and rose from the dead after three days. Sounds a lot like another story that was written nearly 3-5 thousand years later. Most prominent religions these days are based on old legends and myths of the Greek and Egyptians. So how real is GOD?

Posted at 6:21PM on Aug 30th 2006 by Stormy

66. I never write or respond to posts, but I felt compelled to do this time. For those who believe that Jews are not black...that may be true of Jews from Europe. Remember ALL life began in Africa. Some of us may be lighter now, because we are descendents from those who moved to other parts of the world. Spirituality is a personal thing, however, if you read the Bible Revelations chapter 1 verses 13-14. It states that Jesus had dark skin as if taken out of a furnace and hair of wool. Typical of persons born in the region. Also, one other mistake while I'm at it. Egypt is in Africa. Therefore, Cleopatra did not look like Elizabeth Taylor.

Posted at 2:23PM on Aug 31st 2006 by Laura

67. 1. Jesus spoke Amharic.
2. There is only one country in the world that speaks Amharic: Ethiopia.
3. Ethiopians are dark-skinned, with kinky hair -- aka black.
4. Get over it.

Posted at 12:59PM on Sep 1st 2006 by Jesse

68. As an American of African decent, I know full well how the depiction of a WHITE JESUS, has been used to promote slavery, and the degradation of Black people. Jesus had nappy hair and brown skin. Sheba was dark yet comely. 2000+ years ago North frica and the Middle East was not as mixed up as it is today.

Learn some history!


JESUS WAS A BLACK MAN!

Posted at 7:23PM on Sep 26th 2006 by NETERANKHAMEN

69. Everybody that dosen,t know jesus was a black man ,pay attention first of all get a map of the world, take your finger put it whear he lived,ok now put your finger whear his parents took him to save his life,In the past all of western asia was under the domination of black africans.I could tell you more ,but if you really want to know dont belive what peaple say check it out for your self, just do the math or mathmatics invented in AFRIKA, Oyea jesus was not his real name. Thank you so verry much for making this fillm. you will be blesed. SHALOME

Posted at 9:24AM on Oct 30th 2006 by james gathright

70. Everybody that dosen,t know jesus was a black man ,pay attention first of all get a map of the world, take your finger put it whear he lived,ok now put your finger whear his parents took him to save his life,In the past all of western asia was under the domination of black africans.I could tell you more ,but if you really want to know dont belive what peaple say check it out for your self, just do the math or mathmatics invented in AFRIKA, Oyea jesus was not his real name. Thank you so verry much for making this fillm. you will be blesed. SHALOME

Posted at 11:11AM on Oct 25th 2006 by james gathright

Previous 15 Comments