Dark Alley Media's first foray into controversial cinema brought us
Gaytanamo, a gleeful mockery of the government's war on terror and the
Guantanamo prisons.
Now the mischievous movie makers are dipping their toes into the wild
world of religion. And, not surprisingly, they're going to get some
shocks, gasps and, hopefully, moans.
James Withers chats with director Matthias Von Fistenberg to get to
the bottom of the newly released video, after the jump...
Matthias Von Fistenberg's Passio will surely make a few Fox News
anchors explode - and not in a good way. In fact, it is safe to say
that even those non-acolytes of the "fair and balanced" network will
be disturbed by von Fistenberg's Jesus. This savior could care less
about clothing the ****d or feeding the hungry, unless the meal's
cock.
"My Jesus is gay, stunningly beautiful and ***y. He gets aroused like
all of us," explains Von Fistenberg, who describes himself as a
Catholic. The director also admits his Jesus story can't be found in
hotel room Bible. "The movie is a gospel, passio, version of the Jesus
story according to
me."
If people are shocked and appalled by Von Fistenberg's re-telling of
the Gospels, he gently reminds us that theocratic rules aren't our
lot. "Luckily we don't live anymore in times when the Church controls
the media and courts," Von Fistenberg says. "Under the protection of
our freedom of speech law, all biblical topics are open to any
interpretation. Now, maybe the Pope will excommunicate me or Fox News
will have a field day, but they wont be able to take away this
im****tant step towards exercising fully the right to free speech and
artistic freedom."
Though he expects howls of protest, Von Fistenberg reminds us that
today's revered religious art once counted as yesterday's scandal.
"From Michelangelo to Mantegna, Piero Della Francesca and Paul
Gauguin, images of Jesus Christ have offended, delighted, outraged,
and inspired the devout. For each controversial image, the sacred and
profane was mixed in new ways, challenging viewers to rethink their
own religion, spirituality, and ***uality. I will only mention that
there are plenty of **** Christs in Renaissance art and ****ity,
courtesy of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, was considered obscene."
Despite this art history lesson, even for a born again atheist such as
myself myself there is something disquieting about these images Von
Fistenberg is putting out there. A part of me would rather he just
film hot guys having *** and leave all the religion stuff alone. Like
a good teacher, Von Fistenberg makes me see the light. "As a ****
director I am given the same tools as any other director so why should
I not use them and express myself? Why should I pretend I don't have
my opinions, on politics, religion or on what's ***y? My movies are
made in a way that you can skip it all and go straight to ***. They
have that utilitarian value, but it you watch them from start to
finish they offer a view of the world as relevant as anybody else's."
Ultimately Von Fistenberg takes his job seriously and refuses to be
restrained by the word ****ographer. He's not asking for the faithful
to bow down to his vision of Christ. "You choose which Jesus is
yours," he says.
Regardless of your choice, the director remains convinced that
underneath the outrage and disgust will be desire and want. "I'm a
modern day Marquis de Sade. I show you what is ***y. First you think
its wrong because you are so programmed by society, but later, when no
one is watching, you can't deny it."
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