The Passion

[Lucho Cohaila Guzman]

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Gibson's 'The Passion' To Open on 2,000 Screens

Although Mel Gibson's controversial The Passion of the Christ had been expected to receive the kind of limited distribution associated with independent films, a Gibson spokesman said Wednesday that the film will open on Feb. 25 on about 2,000 screens, a figure generally reserved for major studio releases (and the biggest debut for an independent film in recent history). Gibson's own company, Icon Productions, is placing the film in theaters, with the help of indie distributor Newmarket Films. The film, which deals with the final hours in the life of Christ, has generated polarizing debate among religious groups, with the Jewish Anti-Defamation League warning that it could whip up anti-Semitic passions, and Pope John Paul reportedly giving it his blessing. Today's (Thursday) New York Times reported that one multiplex in a Dallas suburb plans to reserve all 20 of its screens for the film. Bob Berney, president of Newmarket Films told the newspaper that theaters have been inundated with ticket requests. "People call and say, 'I want 10,000 tickets, '" he said.

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