Passionate row in UK over Mel film
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LONDON, England (CNN) -- Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" is opening in Britain this weekend amid fears that the controversial film could fuel anti-Semitism across Europe.
In the United States, where the movie recently topped $300 million in grosses according to tracking site boxofficemojo.com, there have been calls by some Jewish groups to prosecute the makers under race-hate laws.
The epic film, in Aramaic and Latin with subtitles, has also been criticized for glorifying violence.
Greville Janner, of the World Jewish Congress, said he believed the film was anti-Semitic.
In the last two years about 1,500 incidents against Jewish interests have taken place in France alone, and there is concern that the film will inflame an already tense situation.
"It is the most unpleasant bloodthirsty film that I've ever seen and certainly it portrays Jewish people of 2,000 years ago in a very nasty light," Janner told CNN.
"So it's not going to help create good relations between Jewish communities and others."
In France, where the film opens on March 31, a leading independent cinema chain has refused to show "Passion," calling it "fascist propaganda."
"I refused to program the film in my network of theaters," MK2 president Marin Karmitz said in a written statement forwarded to The Hollywood Reporter.
"I have always fought against fascism, notably through my exhibition activity. For me, 'Passion' is a film of fascist propaganda."
Gibson, a conservative Roman Catholic who directed, produced and co-wrote the movie, has dismissed accusations of anti-Semitism.
He told critics: "My ultimate hope is that this story's message of tremendous courage and sacrifice might inspire tolerance, love and forgiveness."
Many church leaders in the United Kingdom agree, saying that anything that revives interest in their faith -- especially at Easter -- can only be a good thing.
"It is great that this sort of film is raising the profile of Christianity," Alistair Tresidder, vicar of St.Lukes church in Hampstead, north London, told CNN.
"To get people talking about Jesus and his death for humanity is a great thing."
Others say the release of the movie could not have come at a better time with church attendance across Europe falling, the clergy ageing, and scandals driving people away.
Many churches in the UK are even doing their own marketing for the film, offering their congregation free tickets to see the "Passion."
But not everyone agrees wholly with Gibson's interpretation and some church leaders are recommending reading the gospels before seeing the film.
