By Gill Pringle
While debate always rages about remakes, reboots, and sequels, the makers of the new version of the Biblical epic, Ben-Hur – which follows in the decidedly large, sandalled footsteps of the 1959 classic starring Charlton Heston – might just have a major player on their side that could work a few miracles when it comes to critics and box office. Yes, we’re talking about The Big Guy Upstairs…you know, The Holy Father…God! Not only is the film produced by the powerhouse husband-and-wife team of actress, Roma Downey and Survivor creator, Mark Burnett – who reaped enormous dividends with their hugely popular faith-based TV mini-series, The Bible – but there was also a little divine intervention when it came to Brazil-born actor, Rodrigo Santoro (300, Focus), who plays Jesus Christ in Ben-Hur.
With the film shooting in Rome, it meant that the production was in close proximity to The Vatican. “We had an opportunity on one of the days between filming to go up to Vatican Square,” Roma Downey tells FilmInk. “Rodrigo and Nazanin Boniadi [who plays Esther in the film] got a moment where they had a blessing from The Pope. That was really very special. Rodrigo got the blessing and he spoke to The Pope in Spanish. He told him that he was playing Jesus, and The Pope put his hands on Rodrigo’s head and blessed him. Then the next night, Rodrigo was filming the Garden Of Gethsemane scene, and I was like, ‘He still has that blessing with him! That was very cool. It was a cool moment for Rodrigo. There’s a picture of the blessing too.”
Actress, Nazanin Boniadi, takes up the story. “I was with Rodrigo,” she says. “I took that photo of him being blessed by The Pope, so it was a very surreal moment to witness and also to meet The Pope. I went to mass with Rodrigo a couple of times in Matera, because that helped us bond, but also he’s a friend. That Jesus/Esther relationship was easy for me. It was easy to look up to him and admire him. He is a wonderful human being and a very fine person to play that role. Not only is he gorgeous, but he’s equally gorgeous if not more gorgeous on the inside. It was very easy for him to tap into that world. It’s surreal to be part of a film where the theme is forgiveness, redemption, and love conquering hate. These are things that I aspire to, and that I hope to be and live by.”
Ben-Hur is released in cinemas on August 25.
