Continuing from late July, I am adding the second part of Confronting Antisemitism In Popular Culture, regarding the infamous South Park episode in relation to The Passion Of The Christ.
In a Common Sense Media review critic Marjorie Kase pointed out that: “…there are some creepy scenes where a young character spearheads an Anti-Semitic agenda. The social issues, centering on ethnic intolerance and hate mongering, are also not suggested for younger viewers.” The above quoted reviews are better understood with a brief synopsis of the South Park episode in relation to the Mel Gibson film which spawned the satire to begin with. Basically, The Passion Of The Jew centers around the different reactions of the four main characters in the small town of South Park have regarding Gibson’s rousing, emotional, and controversial film The Passion Of The Christ.
The narrative centers on the persecution and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ — the most important and revered figure of Christendom. One of the South Park characters (“Cartman“) has an extreme reaction after watching the film and sees all Jews as “the enemy” and attempts to get the entire town into an uproar and wage Nazi-style warfare against them and attack the local synagogue. On the other hand, another character named Kyle is inspired to embrace his Jewish faith and heritage after viewing the picture. He is determined to fight against Cartman’s fascist, mob-raising activities. The other main characters (Stan & Kenny) have a humorous, even absurd reaction to The Passion Of The Christ.
They are so disgusted with Gibson’s production (referring to it as “a snuff film”) that they harass the ticket seller and loudly demand to get their $18.00 back. When the box-office attendant refuses Stan & Kenny set out for Los Angeles — determined to track down Mel Gibson and make him personally refund their money! However, after witnessing Gibson’s psychotic behavior and surviving his attempts to kill them, Stan & Kenny flee back to South Park where pandemonium reigns. By this time, Kyle has gone to the synagogue suggesting that the Jews should make a big, public apology for the Crucifixion. Instead, the congregation launches a protest against the downtown theatre demanding that The Passion Of The Christ be withdrawn.
At the same time Cartman and his mob are passing by the theatre chanting anti-Jewish slurs and threats in German. This outrageous behavior is perilously close to causing a bloodbath. In the midst of all this turmoil Mel Gibson tears through South Park and crashes his truck. Despite this he emerges uninsured to carry on in a totally bizarre, embarrassing manner…which completely turns of the whole town. After all of this the end result of The Passion Of The Jew episode has Stan make a speech that Christians would do far better to focus on the the positive teachings of Jesus and not constantly carping on the circumstances of his death. This speech succeeds in defusing a riot and everyone disperses. Presumably, they have learned some valuable lessons about the extreme outcomes that simmering antisemitism (stoked by popular entertainment media) can lead to.
The wider background of The Passion Of The Christ along with the South Park satire which quickly followed on its heels is rather intriguing though, when looking at current media as a whole. Certainly, the present era of political and social correctness usually precludes any overt, negative depictions regarding ethnicity, race, or antisemitism. At least this is usually the case where Hollywood film and television production is concerned. Of course, appealing to the widest possible audience and concern over profits are the chief motivation for this “sensitivity”. Additionally, maintaining a favorable public image for the entertainment industry where mainstream audiences are concerned is highly important as well. The prevailing “politically correct etiquette” makes for quite the convenient cover over much of American media.
Nevertheless, the high-profile Mel Gibson production of The Passion Of The Christ (along with the Anti-Semitic comments he made later) and with numerous harsh, clamoring scenes of both high-placed and common Jews insisting the Roman Governor of Judea execute Christ could be instigating hatred and violence against Jews today. The brutal Crucifixion sequence alone might be interpreted by any number of viewers as intended to at the least conjure up unfavorable opinions of Jews which are rarely if ever depicted in the local multiplex.
However, raw depictions of religious bigotry (particularly the centuries-old rancor between Christians and Jews) are still capable of arousing incendiary feelings and dormant prejudices. While The Passion Of The Christ became quite the box-office sensation — grossing over $600,000,000 worldwide, it’s certainly understandable how many people (especially worldwide Jewry) would be anxious, if not outright upset about how they are being depicted historically. On top of that, there is the hateful, inflammatory, and terrorism encouraging rhetoric which has long characterized media portrayals of Jews in the Muslim realm. Therefore it comes as no surprise that a major film which focuses on brutal beatings and the horrendous execution of the leading figure in Christianity (enthusiastically encouraged by Jewish mobs) is like adding fuel to the fire.
Once again, this assignment was longer than I remembered. The conclusion will be next week!
