Just as the controversy surrounding Janet Jackson’s chestis being put back in it’s proper place, a new type of stormis brewing with the release of The Passion of Christ,Newmarket’s new film highlighting the final 12 hours ofJesus’ life. The movie is considered an accurate portrayal ofthe New Testament of the Bible.

Leading up to the release, SMU’s Victory Campus Ministriessponsored a viewing of the controversial film at Cinemark 17 beforeits Wednesday release date on Tuesday night.

“This will be a great opportunity for people to see whatreally happened,” sophomore corporate communications majorRebecca Rosfeld said. As a member of VCM, Rosfeld hoped the filmwould open students’ eyes to the historic events occurringmore than two millenniums ago.

“Overall, we hope that The Passion of Christ will serve asa reminder to them of Christ’s sacrifice.”

The film, which is directed by Academy Award winning directorMel Gibson, brings a certain amount of star power to a touchysubject.

“It’s cool that Mel Gibson is taking part inthis,” Rosfeld said. “The fact that such ahighly-acclaimed award-winner produced a movie of this magnitude iswonderful.”

“With religious leaders embodied in heated debates aboutthe movie’s interpretation of historic events, this is easilythe most controversial film in recent memory,” Premieremagazine stated.

It is this controversy, however, that may lead to certain riskswith showing the film to a large group of students. “I thinkVCM is taking a risk because this is such a true portrayal of theevents,” Rosfeld said. “The film is so graphic thatsome scenes had to be cut out.”

The contentious nature of the movie does not stop VCM fromstanding behind its release.

“This allows campus ministries to reach people like theynever have before,” Rosfeld said.