The Big Question (2004)

What are the first existential queries that lead us to question the absolute and consult teachers, parents, priests or older siblings? "The Big Question" is based on an idea that is very ... See full summary »

Directors:

Francesco Cabras, Alberto Molinari

Writer:

Francesco Cabras

Stars:

Mel Gibson, Monica Bellucci, Sergio Albelli

Cast

Credited cast:
Mel Gibson	...	Himself
Monica Bellucci	...	Herself
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sergio Albelli	...	Himself
Toni Bertorelli	...	Himself
Giovanni Capalbo	...	Himself
Jim Caviezel	...	Himself
Rosalinda Celentano	...	Herself
Luca De Dominicis	...	Himself
Emilio De Marchi	...	Himself
William J. Fulco	...	Himself
Claudia Gerini	...	Herself
Lello Giulivo	...	Himself
Greg	...	The Dog
Christo Jivkov	...	Himself
Evelina Meghnagi	...	Herself

Storyline

What are the first existential queries that lead us to question the absolute and consult teachers, parents, priests or older siblings? "The Big Question" is based on an idea that is very simple yet rather complex: it poses extremely direct questions to a large and varied group of people regarding their own intimate perception of the divine. The peculiar microcosm, a surprising sociological container, is the backdrop where these inquiries take place; it acutally is a 'non-place' par excellence: the set of 'The Passion of the Christ' by Mel Gibson. The documentary, that has nothing to do with a 'making of', reads as a singular notebook of laic catechism, and its essence is the cultural, religious, social and geographical variety of those interviewed. The topics suggested through the assorted questions are confronted by a subtle, sometimes humorous research, which touches everyone: believers, atheists, agnostics, or the undecided. The allegoric and hieratic soul of "The Big Question" is ...

---

Plot Keywords:

documentary filmmaking | metaphysics | irony | religion | spirituality

---

Taglines:

All of us in our life has been touched by this question...

---

Genres:

Documentary

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for a brief reference to drugs

Details

Official Sites:

Ganga [it]

Country:

Italy

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

8 November 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Wielkie pytanie

Filming Locations:

Craco, Matera, Basilicata, Italy

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$466 (USA) (17 March 2006)

Gross:

$1,609 (USA) (24 March 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ganga

Technical Specs

Runtime:

76 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Greg, the dog present during the whole film is a half dog-half wolf who has never been trained, his owner is the assistant director, Nando Irene.

---

Connections

References The Passion of the Christ (2004)

User Reviews

All walks of life share their own stories and ideas on God

This is a very thoughtful and charming documentary directed by Francesco Cabras and Alberto Molinari. Of the cast and crew from the motion picture "The Passion of Christ" get asked about their own personal beliefs and faith when it comes to God. Over 200 people were interviewed. Everyone from Jews, to Christians, to Muslims, to Atheists, to people who are still looking for the answers give a very open and honest take on the big theological questions we all ask at least once in our lifetime. Yet, the best part about this documentary is that it is not preachy, rather, we merely sit back and listen to people's individual life experiences and stories. There is a rich pallet of ideas as we hear people's frank and personal opinions about God, Religion, and how they see the world around them.

This documentary consistently remains thoughtful, never breaks into a sermon, but lets us think and come to our own conclusions. Instead of trying to force the concepts on us, we learn from others, and as God would have it allows us to freely make the choice to come to Him. This film is more about a discourse than any one specific message, but if it has a message it is that we all are wonderful and unique as human beings.