In "Jesus of Montreal" a church yearly performs a passion play about the life of Jesus. The play has become somewhat outdated and the Father of the church asks a director to modernize the play.
This director Daniel (Lothaire Bluteau) does that modernization very radically and after a lot of study. He casts some actors with a commercial background and plays the leading role of Jesus himelf. The audience is enthusiastic, the church and the authorities not so much.
In my opinion the theme of the film is not a religious one. The message that the institute church has drifted away too much from the message of his founding disciple is everything but original.
The theme of the film is much more about artistic integrity. The actors believe in their work of art and don't want to give in to outside criticism and pressure. Remember their role in a controverial passion play might damage their career in well payed commercials.
Other reviewers might select another theme. That of a lead character identifying himself so much with his character that he nearly becomes this character. Indeed when the film progresses Daniel takes on some Jesus like characteristics.
It is a question of personal interpretation which of the two themes you find dominating c.q. Most important. I choose for the first one.
This director Daniel (Lothaire Bluteau) does that modernization very radically and after a lot of study. He casts some actors with a commercial background and plays the leading role of Jesus himelf. The audience is enthusiastic, the church and the authorities not so much.
In my opinion the theme of the film is not a religious one. The message that the institute church has drifted away too much from the message of his founding disciple is everything but original.
The theme of the film is much more about artistic integrity. The actors believe in their work of art and don't want to give in to outside criticism and pressure. Remember their role in a controverial passion play might damage their career in well payed commercials.
Other reviewers might select another theme. That of a lead character identifying himself so much with his character that he nearly becomes this character. Indeed when the film progresses Daniel takes on some Jesus like characteristics.
It is a question of personal interpretation which of the two themes you find dominating c.q. Most important. I choose for the first one.