Spielberg Dodges 'Passion' Controversy

[Khephra]

Spielberg Dodges 'Passion' Controversy
By REUTERS

Published: March 3, 2004


Filed at 11:55 p.m. ET

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Declaring himself ``too smart to answer a question like that,'' Steven Spielberg on Wednesday deftly sidestepped the controversy surrounding fellow filmmaker Mel Gibson's box office smash, ``The Passion of the Christ,'' which has been accused of anti-semitism.

He said he had yet to see the film, which depicts the last 12 hours of Jesus Christ's life. In its first week, it grossed more than $125 million at the domestic box office.

``I certainly am not going to comment based on circumstantial evidence from what I've been hearing and feeling in the last seven or eight days,'' Spielberg said at a news conference to promote the DVD release of his Oscar-winning Holocaust epic ``Schindler's List.''

``I think it's much too important, and I'm really too smart to answer a question like that.

``When I do see the film, the first person who will hear from me will be Mel Gibson and no one else,'' he added.

more......

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/arts/entertainment-film-spielberg.html

[DarkPhenyx]

1. Nicely said Steven.

Smartest answer I've heard from someone who hasn't seen it.

[VelmaD]

2. What a concept?

Not commenting on something you haven't seen. This man is too sensible and must be drug into the street and shot forthwith.

Best news ever though that Schindler's List is out on DVD.