Mel Gibson’s Resurrection will be released in 2025. Let’s try to host the premiere in Matera

But we need to move in time. We need to be concrete and credible to explore the possibility of availability of the director, author of ”The Passion”, shot in Matera and released in 2004. An attempt must be made and it falls to the municipal administration of Matera and the Lucana film commission, first and foremost , see what can be done. Moreover, this year marks the twentieth anniversary of the release of that film, which contributed significantly to promoting the Sassi districts and the Rock Park as a truly unique and evocative setting for religious productions. Today, Murgia Timone’s design devastations aside, changed logistical conditions, costs and so on recommend that a production of that scale should go elsewhere… The possibility remains of hosting the premiere, as proposed by the globetrotter Antonio Serravezza, who returns to the proposal made in 2022 https://giornalemio.it/cronaca/mel-gibson-invitiamolo-per-il-ventennale-di-the-passion-intanto-lui/ . We add another to strengthen the request and induce Mel Gibson to officially return to the City of Stones: honorary citizenship. To revive a Passion… which he has not forgotten and which he fueled during the months of production. Hello! welcome back, welcome back Mel, he’s here, of course.

THE CONSIDERATIONS OF ANTONIO SERRAVEZZA.

Matera is one of the oldest cities in the world and shows itself as a true example of those places that have been inhabited since prehistoric times. Its Sassi, with houses carved into the tuff, have been described by Fodor’s as “one of the most unique landscapes in Europe”. This antiquity and charm make Matera a fascinating film set. In 2004, director Mel Gibson chose Matera as the location for his film “The Passion”. This film, shot in Latin and Aramaic, shows the last hours of the life of Jesus Christ. Some scenes were filmed at the famous Sasso Caveoso, characterized by houses dug into the tuff, and at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul (also known as the Church of San Pietro Caveoso), a place of Catholic worship that dates back to the 13th century. Matera and its inhabitants will be disappointed but it is true that “The Resurrection of Jesus” was not filmed in Matera, which is a location famous for being used in the film “The Passion of the Christ” by Mel Gibson. Matera is known for its striking landscapes and ancient architecture, which provided a visually impressive and historical context for the film. However, there are many other films that explore the life and teachings of Jesus, each with their own unique choices of locations and artistic interpretations. I understand that the decision not to film “The Resurrection of Jesus” in Matera could be a disappointment for the city. However, it is important to remember that location choices for films are often based on a number of factors, including budget, logistics, availability of resources, and the director’s artistic vision. However, Matera left an indelible mark on the cinematic world thanks to his role in Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ”. We hope that Matera can continue to be appreciated for its beauty and historical heritage, even if it was not chosen for this specific production. “The Passion of Christ: Resurrection” will be released on April 18, 2025, on Good Friday. This long-awaited sequel, which we Matera hoped would be filmed again in the ancient city of the Sassi, is a continuation of “The Passion of the Christ” from 2004, and will focus on the events that occurred in the three days between the Crucifixion and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the film, Jim Caviezel will once again play the role of Jesus, while Mary and Peter the Apostle will be played by Maia Morgenstenrn and Francesco De Vito. It will be an epic and dramatic work that will explore the events between the death and resurrection of Jesus, also including aspects such as the descent into hell and the fall of the angels. Unfortunately there is talk of filming already planned in Mexico and Rome (Cinecittà) with locations already rented, but the same thing happened in January 2023 after which Gibson, dissatisfied with the script, postponed everything for the umpteenth time. It is rumored that the Australian who made Matera famous throughout the world came to the city anonymously and found the city of the Sassi distraught compared to twenty years ago and perhaps it can no longer be the set of a historical film as it was in 2004. It must be said that in these long years the city has never managed to seize an opportunity to invite Mel Gibson to Matera and it could be a good opportunity for the premiere of his new film on the occasion of the inauguration of the new theater Duni which is expected to reopen renovated in early 2024