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A New Biblical Epic and the Israeli Cast Controversy

Nov 21, 2024 at 2:28 AM

A new Biblical epic is set to grace Netflix this Christmas, but it has sparked significant online backlash. The film, "Mary," starring Israeli actress Noa Cohen as Mary and Israeli actor Ido Tako as Joseph, has drawn the ire of anti-Israel critics. Netflix's announcement of the coming-of-age tale, directed by D.J. Caruso and written by Timothy Michael Hayes, detailed how it follows Mary, Joseph, and their newborn son Jesus as they flee the pursuit of King Herod. Since the trailer dropped on November 12, social media has been flooded with attacks from those upset by the casting.

Director's Defense

Director D.J. Caruso previously defended the casting of Israeli actors, stating that it was crucial to select them from Israel to ensure authenticity. In an October interview with Entertainment Weekly, he emphasized the importance of having a cast that represented the story's origins.

However, this decision has led to a wave of criticism. Many online are now calling for a boycott, claiming the film is historically inaccurate as they believe Mary and Joseph were actually Palestinian. One account with a Palestinian flag in its profile demanded a boycott, stating that instead of casting Middle-Eastern Christians, European Israelis were chosen for "authenticity" reasons. Another video post with over 1.6 million views on X called the director's decision "diabolical" and called for a boycott.

Controversy and Backlash

The film's release on December 6 has only intensified the controversy. With Israeli actors in the lead roles, social media has been ablaze with comments. One profile with "Free Palestine" in its bio wrote, "First Netflix taking all Palestinian content down and now they stream a movie about Mary with an all Israeli cast whilst those same people are bombing the birthplace of Christ? Boycott that s—." Another account posted, "This is falsehood, antisemitism and blasphemy. Jesus, Mary and everyone in this show should be Palestinian."

An X account identifying as "ProPakastani" wrote, "It's utterly disrespectful to portray religious figures in such a trivialized manner, especially when it's done for profit or entertainment. The casting of an Israeli actress to play Mary is a clear political statement that trivializes sacred beliefs. Christians worldwide hold Mary in reverence, and to commercialize her image like this is sacrilege."

Director's Perspective

In a press release for the film, the director, Caruso, said it was essential to stay true to the biblical narrative. He emphasized that the plot remains faithful to the scriptures with thoughtful interpretations that enhance the film's central themes. He aimed to honor the scriptures through this adaptation.

Some pro-Israel accounts have poked fun at the backlash. One account shared a 2023 clip from the Israeli satire show, Eretz Nehederet, parodying liberal college students who go back in time to lecture Mary and Joseph that they are not Jews but actually Palestinians.

Netflix did not immediately return a request for comment.