Mary Magdalene (2018)

Twelve men heard and spread the message of Jesus. Only one woman understood it.

Director:

Garth Davis

Writers:

Helen Edmundson, Philippa Goslett

Stars:

Rooney Mara, Joaquin Phoenix, Chiwetel Ejiofor

2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rooney Mara	...	Mary Magdalene
Joaquin Phoenix	...	Jesus
Chiwetel Ejiofor	...	Peter
Tahar Rahim	...	Judas
Ariane Labed	...	Rachel
Denis Ménochet	...	Daniel
Lubna Azabal	...	Susannah
Tchéky Karyo	...	Elisha
Charles Babalola	...	Andrew
Tawfeek Barhom	...	James
Ryan Corr	...	Joseph
Uri Gavriel	...	Philip
Shira Haas	...	Leah
Tsahi Halevi	...	Ephraim
Michael Moshonov	...	Matthew

Storyline

Judea, 33 AD. Mary is a faithful young girl from the village of Magdala (close to Galilea Lake) unsure to follow the traditions and destiny reserved to the women, living only as wife and mother, in her wish to be free. After to reject a marriage proposal of Ephraim, a family friend, her brother Daniel and her father Elisha make her an exorcism in the belief that she is possessed by a demon. Trying to find a solution Elisha asks help Jesus, a healer who is earning fame between the Jews of the zone with his speeches about a kingdom of peace and love free of hate, tyranny, oppression and prosecution, to heal Mary and that finally she obeys and submits to their will. Astonished by the charisma, personality and words of Jesus, Mary decides to follow him despite the strong opposition of her family. She meets a few men who too walk with Jesus as Peter, Andrew, James, John and Judas, who have their personal interests and ideas about Jesus' words and his revolution. At the same time that Mary ...

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Plot Keywords:

resurrection | jerusalem | judea | crucifixion | treason | 

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Taglines:

Her story will be told.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some bloody and disturbing images

Did You Know?

Trivia

Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara previously played a married couple in Her (2013).

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Quotes

[first lines]
Mary Magdalene: And she asked him, "What will it be like? The kingdom?" And he said, "It is like a seed, a single grain of mustard seed, which a woman took and sowed in her garden. And it grew and it grew. And the birds of the air made nests in its branches."

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Connections

Referenced in Flat Earth & Revelation 10: Reach the Oxygen (2016)

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Soundtracks

Psalm 121
Traditional, arranged by Sophia Brous
Performed by Sophia Brous

User Reviews

Interesting and thoughtful film concerning only one and first woman who understood Jesus' message

It is set in Judea, 33 AD, governing Herod Antipas, under brutal Roman rule, there lives Maria, Rooney Mara, a young woman from the village of Magdala, close to Galilea lake, who desires freedom, and autonomy. She wants to flee from the destiny and traditions reserved for the Jewish female. After rejecting a marriage engagement to Ephrain : Halevi , a family friend, Mary is harassed by his brother Daniel: Menochet and her father : Elisha : Tcheky Karyo, as they believe she is possessed. Then, Mary doesn't obey them, she escapes and amazed by the personality and charisma of a strange person, she joins this healer and mysterious figure, called Jesus : Joaquin Phoenix. And she, eventuality submits herself to his will as well as his holy teachings and each time pays more attention to Jesus and vice versa . Jesus is accompanied by the ordinary disciples as Peter : Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thomas : David Schofield, , John : Shtrauss, Mathew : Babaloa, Philip : Gavriel. But they feel jealous and disturbing for Mary 's presence in the group, thinking she weakens Jesus' messages. The various disciples walk with Jesus preaching his doctrines, his own words and his social revolution, despite they have their personal interest. Along the way and through Samaria territory , Jesus goes on delivering his provoking messages that will change the whole world. Finally, in Pascua celebration , Jesus and his followers arrive in Jerusalem where he will find his fateful fate. 12 disciples and one woman heard and spread the deep message of Jesus. According to Gospels, Mary Magdalene was in death and burying of Jesus and she is considered to be the first witness of his Resurrection. In 591year, Pope Gregorio declared Mary Magdala was a prostitute, a false idea that has prevailed until today. In 2016 Magdalene was identified as apostle of the apostles and the first messager of the risen Jesus.

A thought-provoking and religious film dealing with Jesus life from sight point his only female disciple : Mary Magdalene and made in "New Age" style . As Mary and mainly the spectators become involved into the astonishing teachings told by Jesus, his grateful speeches, his goodness and final sacrifice. The film is paced in "Gospel according to Saint Matthew" by Pier Paolo Pasolini and "Christ Passion" by Mel Gibson wake, more than "King of Kings" by Nicholas Ray and "The greatest story ever told" by George Stevens. Main and support cast are pretty good. Rooney Mara gives a nice and spiritual acting as the faithful young girl who rebels against usual traditions, avoiding to be only a wife and to have children. Joaquin Phoenix is frankly fine as a thoughtful Jesus who promises a kingdom of love and peace, free of oppression and hateful . That's why Mary follows to Christ in spite of the strong opposition his family. The motley group of apostles are finely acted by good actors, though mostly unknown, exception for David Schofield as Thomas and Chiwetel Ejiofor as the first African-American Peter, though long time ago Carl Anderson played an African-American Judas Iscariot in "Jesuschrist Supertar" .

It contains a sensitive and rousing musical score by Johann Johannsson and Guonadottir. As well as evocative and atmospheric cinematography by Greig Fraser. Shot on location in Italy, several locations as Trapani, Sicily, Naples Campania, Gravina di Puglia, Matera, Basilicata. This latter location Basilacata was also filmed Gospel according to Saint Matthew by Pier Paolo Pasolini and Passion of Christ by Mel Gibson. The motion picture was well and originally directed by Garth Davis in his second movie. His prior films were the successful Lion, and some Shorts and TV series. Rating 7/10. Better than average.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Site

Country:

UK Australia USA

Language:

English Hebrew

Release Date:

16 March 2018 (UK)

Also Known As:

Mary Magdalene

Filming Locations:

Trapani, Sicily, Italy

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$46,646, 14 April 2019

Gross USA:

$124,741

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$11,710,110

Company Credits

Production Co:

See-Saw Films, Porchlight Films, Universal Pictures International Production (UPIP)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1