Were you there?
The desire to feature in one's own work of art is nothing new.
Few works of fiction are entirely free from an autobiographical element, and there is a rich tradition for the depiction of self in the visual arts.
Obvious examples include Van Gogh's mournful self-portraits and Jan van Eyck's strange appearance in the mirror at The Arnolfini Wedding.
In the cinema, too, cameo roles are not unheard of.
Alfred Hitchcock appeared in all the films he directed, and J K Rowling is reputed to appear in at least one of the Harry Potter movies.
We should not be surprised, then, that Mel Gibson should choose to appear in his portrayal of The Passion of the Christ.
It is the manner of his appearing, however, which is unusual.
Like the film itself, it is bound to cause comment inside and outside the church.
Why does he make his appearance as one of Christ's cruel executioners, hammering the nails into his flesh?
Furthermore, why is it only his arms which appear, and not his face?
Does this represent a desire to identify with Christ's killers, or a shame at doing so?
Maybe Gibson wanted to acknowledge his part in Christ's death, but without drawing undue attention to a face which resonates with echoes of Mad Max and other unholy heroes?
Gibson's 'anonymous' appearance makes an important point.
Those who come to terms with the full horror of the cross must then accept their part in making it necessary. It is the belief of Christians world-wide, of whatever tradition, that Christ died to save all men - famous and infamous; holy and unholy.
There will be no actors or directors in heaven.
For that matter there will be no heads of state or road sweepers either.
Heaven will be peopled by men and women, wearing no other label than their humanity.
Like the Roman soldiers, they would have been capable of putting Christ to death, and like Gibson they would have been capable of paying tribute to his life in their own way.
You will doubtless be asked within the next few weeks 'were you there' - at the film? Perhaps it is more important to ask the question posed in the old Negro spiritual song "were you there when they crucified my Lord?".
|
