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October 2006
Color of the Cross |
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by Kam Williams
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Crucifixion Revisited with Black Jesus as
Victim of Bias Crime Color of the Cross is the brainchild of actor/writer/director Jean-Claude
LaMarre, a gifted tale-spinner who does much more here than merely revisit
the life of Christ in blackface. For this controversial reinterpretation
of the scriptures, which transpires during the 48 hours leading up to
the Crucifixion, mixes many instantly recognizable Biblical passages
with speculation about a motive for murdering Jesus which had to do with
his skin color. So, we find familiar scenes such as those taking place
in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus (LaMarre) prayed to God the Father
the night before he died, and where he was later betrayed by Judas (Johann
John Jean) with a kiss for 30 pieces of silver. Of course, there’s
The Last Supper, the last meal Christ shared with the Apostles. Although this ethnic discrimination angle might be factually inaccurate, since if Jesus was a black Jew, his accusers must’ve mostly been black Jews, too, the best thing about Color of the Cross is that it finally furnishes us with a reason for the Crucifixion. It reminded me of the Don Rickles routine in which the comedian wondered how his people could possibly have screwed up Christmas. Now we at least have a theory. The storyline aside, Jean-Claude LaMarre charismatic performance as Jesus is what really holds the production together. He receives considerable help in this regard from his capable supporting cast which includes Debbi Morgan as the Virgin Mary, Ananda Lewis as Leah, Akiva David as John, Jacinto Taras Riddick as Peter, and John Pierre Parent as Doubting Thomas. Is the film blasphemous? Blasphemy is in the eye of the beholder. But
it’s Regardless, if Kanye West can appear on the cover of Rolling Stone
sporting
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