- Dear Friends:
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- I plan to write an extensive Road Kill Report to promote
this, display the movie trailer on my website, send a flyer to my enter
database, stand on the street corner and sell tickets if I have to -- but
for now: I can't get the night off my mind so I must write to you:
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- I don't think I have words to convey to you the overwhelming
observations last night at the movie. It is interesting to pile into a
room of "somebody's" -- hugging folks, shaking hands, talking
shop -- but barely looking each other in the eye, because everyone is too
busy looking over your shoulder to see "who else" might be in
the midst!! It's almost funny... I don't want to exploit anyone's privacy
-- but the room was filled with an array of the biggest names in entertainment
from the Nashville community. Producers, songwriters, artists -- most from
The Country music world. But a few from Christian music as well. TV, Radio,
Print media... If you were looking for a record deal, an autograph or a
photo-op...it was the place to be. But in a room of less than 200 people
-- you couldn't find a camera or ink pen in sight.
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- The whole thing was so secretive that we had to sign
a form that we wouldn't take pictures, or call the National Guard... someone
did ask If we can tell about the experience and they said, "Yes, we
need to get the word out!" So, of course -- I'm on a mission!!
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- A country entertainer named, Ricky Skaggs made some opening
comments and then began the night in prayer. The lights went out and the
movie started.
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- I have to tell you that in a room full of people that
sing about it, read about it, write about it -- you would think that they
had just understood it for the first time because less then ten minutes
into the movie -- you could hear literal sobs across the room. As the story
unfolded and the brutality of what we were watching set in -- people were
moaning -- I will never forget it.
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- I had invited my Pastor and my brother. Both men that
have dedicated their lives to "Go ye unto all the world and preach
the gospel.." and several times I saw them wipe tears away, stir in
their chairs at the impact that a piece of magnetic tape rolling through
a projector had on them. It was incredible.... Me? I had a good cry for
sure. I had heard bits and pieces about it -- so I came prepared with two
packs of tissue. I used both of them. My husband and I sat throughout this
thing mesmerized by all that was taking place on the screen and off.
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- When the movie was over -- no one moved. It was as if
the room could not take a breath. There were no words -- silence. A few
minutes later a man stepped up to the microphone as they slowly turn the
lights on and quietly asked, "Do you have any questions?" Still
silence....he broke the ice by saying, "Well, maybe Mel could answer
your questions." And in walked Mel Gibson -- less than 10 feet away.
He was incredibly humble yet excited as he took the microphone and sat
on the edge of the stage.
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- The room erupted with applause, shouts of gratitude.
I looked at my Pastor and said, "I wonder if he has a clue of what
he has just done. No wonder he is coming up against persecution, brick
walls, slammed doors -- He has just unleashed hell on himself." Pastor
Allen said, "No way! Our God is greater." It's a brutal movie.
It will be rated R and half the Christian community will stew over that!
Mel Gibson's comment to the brutality, "If you read the Bible -- the
whole thing is pretty much rated R!" He's right. And to truly express
artistically what Christ went through? You have to be brutal.
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- When asked what his goal is for the movie, what he hopes
people will glean from it he said, "I hope they watch the movie and
want to read the book!" ... "I hope they are changed."
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- When asked what he's doing to combat some of the persecution
in getting this movie distributed he said, "You know, I just pray
for my enemies. I don't pray for curses on their heads -- I pray the good
angels will go beat up the bad angels that are making them say and do evil
deeds."
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- Mel's a better person than I am. After watching what
Christ went through for me -- I was ready to knock someone in the head!
He spent over 30 million dollars of his own money, risked the doors of
his world being slammed in his face and when asked why he simply said,
"It was time.
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- I just had to do it. It was just time for it come out."
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- I for one, will love stronger. Work harder. Live bolder
-- embracing the sacrifice made for my sins...I am changed forever. Don't
miss this movie.....!
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- The Passion of the Christ, released Feb. 25th. www.ThePassionoftheChrist.com
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- Chonda
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