"Passion" and how a 1% Christian country perceives it.

[KitsuneUdon]

On opening day here in Japan, my girlfriend and I went to go see "The Passion of the Christ"... To my surprise the theater was packed! After watching a little more than half of the movie and feeling rather disturbed by the highly explicit portrayal of the beatings and crucifixion, I began to wonder what Japanese thought about the movie. Several questions went through my mind:

1. Are all of the Japanese here in the theater Christian?

2. More than likely they aren't all Christian, but do they know the story about Christ or his final hours?

3. If they knew very little or nothing about Christ, what did they think about the movie?

The reason why I thought about this, was because it's a VERY serious movie. I also thought that it might be very cool to see a movie portraying Buddha's life and death (maybe a Hollywood version), since I know very little about Buddhism but I am interested.

 

[chiquiliquis]

You should rent

(the) Little Buddha, with that little kid and the famous actress (whose name is escaping me) from "Contact"... it's a bit old now though... mid/early nineties(?). :?

However, IMHO the original scriptures will give you a better rise--I only speak for myself tho...

 

[jolan]

Little Buddha, 1993, a Bertolucci movie, with Keanu Reeves, and Bridget Fonda. The girl from contact is Jodie Foster.

 

[chiquiliquis]

No way... oh well... Bridget Fonda... Jodie Foster... it's an understandable mix up... isn't it

 

[KitsuneUdon]

Hmmm... I seem to recall hearing about that movie, it didn't seem to win over too many critics. On top of that it really doesn't much of a factual basis (except for the teachings).

What I'm talking about is a story about the life and death of Buddha that comes as facutally close to the stories about Jesus and his crucifixion.

Anyway... It was just a silly question that I had after seeing Passion.

 

[den4]

Christians the world over would probably have similar feelings. Non-Christians would no doubt see the movie based upon their personal feelings/viewpoints.
Get two Japanese people in the same room, chances are they'll agree with each other to some degree...take them apart, chances are they'll have varying viewpoints....that's life in Japan

 

[playaa]

HAHA Den4's comment... That is hilarious.

 

[Kimota]

Little Buddha, 1993, a Bertolucci movie, with Keanu Reeves, and Bridget Fonda. The girl from contact is Jodie Foster.

I think the fact that Reeves played Gautama helped to sink that film. I thought it was pretty good though.

And don't forget that it had Chris Isaak in it, too!