While anger is a valid emotion that can make things happen, it also causes emotional reactions which are many times foolish and regrettable. (Proverbs 19:11, Proverbs 29:11)
If you are a person who nitpicks your way through movies only going for those that you are sure would prove to be eternally and critically relevant, then we have something for you. This movie series is a Loaves and Fish production, co-produced and distributed by Angel Productions. In a time such as ours, when old movies and screenplays are being rewritten and reenacted using more contemporary equipment, time-honed skills and modern techniques, the great stories of the Bible are not left behind.
Meet The Chosen. The Chosen is a story of a man on a mission to tell his people about God in the face of Roman colonization. It is set in 20-30 AD Israel. The characters are familiar to those who may have read the Autoptic gospel of John or the synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. The slow storytelling and great acting make for a compelling story by Dallas Jenkins. The plot of The Chosen is non-fiction and based on the life of Jesus Christ. The series aims to showcase Christ “through the eyes of those who met him”.
For anyone who has seen any movie about the life of Christ while he was physically on Earth, the plot will prove enchanting and fully immersing.
The Chosen is a Vidangel adaptation of The Shepherd, a short film also created by Dallas Jenkins. The Chosen is a massively crowdfunded project. Infact, The Chosen is now the top crowdfunded filmed project, having raised over $16.2 million from 316,000 investors.
Yes, there are long moments and the progression is quite slow, but it all adds to the reverence with which Christ is portrayed in this record breaking screenplay. Dallas Jenkins has said that he wishes for the movie series to reach the eyes of a billion people, so it is safe to say that everyone is the target audience.
In a time of a full spectrum of intellectual and cultural perspectives, The Chosen appears to be the chosen Jesus’ story of our time.
Unlike other depictions of the life of Jesus, such as A.D., Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus, The Passion, Jesus: His Life; The Chosen comes away from the usual technique of following Jesus around as he delivers analogies, dissertations and life-changing miracles. The Chosen series also takes the dynamic perspective of portraying Jesus as a shared character in the lives and stories of characters like Matthew, Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter, Andrew, John, James and others.
From wide shots of the choice locations, mid shots of threatening Roman soldiers and close shots of thoughtful Jews; the cinematography is quite engaging, coupled with a rural ambience and sounds that leave you “waking up” from each episode.
The Cast features Jonathan Roumie as Jesus, Paras Patel as Matthew, Shahar Isaac as Simon Peter, Elizabeth Tabish as Mary Magdalene, and Erick Avari as Nicodemus. The Cast is succinctly chosen and proves their mettle from episode to episode; and you can watch the other movies mentioned in this article for a sort of template for the characters. From December 24th 2017 till now, the Chosen has been distributed by Angel Studios.
All in all, The Chosen is a serious project and its impact is just beginning to be felt beyond the circles of cinema enthusiasts, internet explorers and critics.
With Season 2 airing its last episode in July, we are starting a new series of reviews on The Chosen’s season 1 episodes. We hope our perspective on the series’ storytelling will enjoin you to watch it and more importantly, read up The Synoptic Gospels for more understanding on the life of Jesus.
Download The Chosen App here to watch the series for free.
For every symbolic event in history, there is a defining moment. A lot of activities could contribute to culminate that historic event, but there is always this moment when it will be conspicuous that history will be made.
The 78th minute goal scored by Victor Ikpeba during the 1996 Olympic semi final game between Nigeria and Brazil was obviously the defining moment of that historic game.
During the historic marathon race of 1960, the defining moment in that race was the sight of the Obelisk of Axum by Abebe Bikila as he strode towards the finish line. For a great part of the game, he tried to keep abreast of the race favourite. But the sight of that statue became his springboard to writing his name in the history books.
Out of all the things going on in your life now, there is that particular one that is your springboard to victory and greatness. You will need to pray for sensitivity in order to make the most out of it. That difficult situation you are in today that has brought you to the point of almost throwing in the towel, could just be the spring board to victory. Hang in there, don’t give up yet, you are just one step away from winning. Just step on the spring board and win.
During the Second World War, towards the end of 1935, Italian troops invaded and conquered Ethiopia. During their raid, they made away with a statue known as the Lion of Judah, a bronze statue and symbol of the Ethiopian monarchy. Alongside this statue was another statue of national importance to the Ethiopians, the Obelisk of Axum. Both Statues were taken as war booty by the Italian troops in their conquest of Ethiopia.
The Obelisk of Axum stood tall at the Porta Capena square during the historic 1960 Olympics in Rome. As a matter of fact, the Marathon route was planned to show the world as much as possible of Rome’s architecture, splendour, and history. Therefore, the race designed to neither start nor end at the Olympic Stadium.
On the path of this Marathon route stood this over 1000 years, 24 meter and 160 tonnes Obelisk of Axum. This statue turned out to spark a history defining moment in the Olympics competition.
Stay with me, we are on a very interesting journey.
I have come to believe that life is a race. As a matter of fact, the race starts even before life on earth begins. What am I saying? I am talking about the race that happens before one is born. The fiercest and most abrupt race ever.
Picture this:
A race involving sixty million athletes and only one has to win. It is fierce as the rest of the athletes, who did not win, dies. There is no second chance to compete in another race.
Well, if you are reading this, then you won that race. I want to congratulate you for making it into the main tournament. You passed the first hurdle.
It would have been safe to say that if you won that race, then the main tournament should be a piece of cake. But no, you are now in a race where the rules are extremely different. It is the main tournament. Brace up for the challenge.
Christ a poet 