I really appreciate it when people take risks with their art and their theology. 'Son of Man' is such an endeavour. Filmed in South Africa, Son of Man portrays Jesus as a non-violent African revolutionary born in a shanty town ...
It seems that the filmmakers have managed to create a well balanced mix of liberation theology and orthodox christology:
"Dornford-May says focus groups of church leaders and ordinary Christians in South Africa, where Christianity often comes in a conservative form, broadly praised the film, which he hopes will prove a hit on the continent and worldwide."
I'm interested in what a Jesus film for a 'world come of age' would look like. After reading Norman Mailers 'The Fight' I'm fascinated to see what the Christ narrative would look like --on screen-- through the lens of the African (not african-american!) sensibility.
"Dornford-May, who says he subscribes to Christ's teachings without necessarily believing he is the son of God, says the Jesus in the film is a divine being who rises from the dead. [emphasis mine]
His resurrection is meant to signal hope for Africa, the world's poorest continent which is sometimes dismissed by foreigners as a hopeless mess of conflict and corruption."
At this point the Christ narrative is losing its ability to 'shock' (but not liberate!). It will be wonderful to see how cinematic contextual appreciation of the Gospel can visually add to our theological interpretations.
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