[obegeLype]

Dear brothers & sisters in Christ-I am also coming to the same point that many of you are. There is an important point that the Church is trying to make with its portrayal of Christ's Passion in the services of Holy Week. Throughout there is a great reticence concerning the bloody aspects of Christ's suffering. Some have also referred to the similiar treatment in the icon of the crucifixion and the taking down of Christ's body from the Cross. It is obviously important that this whole reticence is the same as that found in the Gospels. So I wonder what is the Church trying to say thru this?
I am not sure that this was a consciously thought out process; rather I take it that the description of Christ's Passion that the Church has given us is inspired by the Holy Spirit and is thus more 'authentic' or 'real' than anything else could possibly be.
There is a profound wisdom here; a sobriety so that we do not un-knowingly go astray. How is that? Unless guided by the Holy Spirit we risk falling either into intellectualism or emotionalism. The reality we project which we take as being spiritual and real can easily be just projections of our own subjective ideas & feelings. I must concur with those who are warning about this film; even Annick in the article you kindly quote the author claims there is no gratuitous violence while at the same time providing descriptions that are shocking; 'oozing blood, yellow mucus, skin spattered'; what does this have to do with the Gospel? Also I think many of us would be shocked that the Theotokos is approvingly portrayed as 'earthy & strong' rather than 'delicate & innocent'. I wonder if this is even 'traditional Catholic'; it bears many resemblances to 21st century man and his inner space.
In closing let me ask forgiveness from you all as we prepare to enter that holy season of the Great Fast; may we all together attain Christ's glorious Resurrection.
In the love of Christ- Fr Raphael