Jesus of Montreal
Jesus of Montreal (original title Jésus de Montréal) is a 1989 film by Quebec film director Denys Arcand.
The film revolves around a group of actors in Montreal hired to present a passion play. However, the actors choose to present an unconventional interpretation of the life of Jesus.
The entire film mirrors the story of Jesus, beginning with one actor who points to another as a 'much better actor', before this second actor gets given the part of Jesus in the Passion Play. This parallels John the Baptist announcing Jesus in the Gospels.
John the Baptist was beheaded: the first actor's head is taken as an advertising item, seen in the last scenes of the film.
Although a deeply spiritual film, its unconventional and critical take on Christianity and the life of Jesus is very different from traditional portrayals.
It has twice placed second on TIFF List of Canada's Top Ten Films of All Time, and was nominated for the 1989 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Notable parallels
Opening scene 1) - 'there's a better actor'
- John the Baptist foretelling Jesus, according to the Gospels.
Gathering actors for the passion play, some of whom walk away from safe jobs
- Jesus gathering disciples
Wrecking an advertising casting session
- Jesus casting the money-lenders out of the temple
Arrest and court appearance, with an indecisive judge
- Jesus before Pilate (or a merger of several hearings)
An ambitious lawyer tries to lay out a grand commercial career for the actor playing Jesus, looking down from a sky-scraper at the city
- The devil taking Jesus to a high place and saying the world could be his
Opening closing scenes - advertising executive saying she 'wants that head'; later the actor's head on an advertising poster.
- Salome demanding and getting the head of John the Baptist
Becoming an organ donor
- Healing miracles, or possibly resurection
Plans for an experimental theatre company
- Foundation of the Christian Church
Cast
- Lothaire Bluteau (Daniel)
- Catherine Wilkening (Mireille)
- Johanne-Marie Tremblay (Constance)
- Rémy Girard (Martin)
- Robert Lepage (René)
- Gilles Pelletier (Fr. Leclerc)
See also
- List of Quebec movies
- List of Quebec film directors
- Cinema of Quebec
- Culture of Quebec
- Jesus
- The Passion
- Christianity
- Dramatic portrayals of Jesus