Season 5 of the “The Chosen” series, a historic drama that is based on the story of Jesus, will have the first two episodes debuting in theaters on April 10 – even before they arrived at their own streaming, with the same name in the series, and the Prime Video later this year.
Unlike previous seasons, which covered years of Jesus’ life, it focuses on one week: from arrival in Jerusalem to the last supper, and the events that lead to crucifixion and resurrection.
In an interview with CNN The creator of the series, Dallas Jenkins, said that the biggest challenge was to tell such a known and exciting story.
“Sometimes we think of these stories like paintings or statues, but they are real,” he explains. “We want to understand what we can learn from these stories or just enjoy seeing them on a TV show, without looking far from us, even if they have happened 2000 years ago.”
Jenkins also commented on the fact that the series, which to this day is an independent production, has reached so many people, whether faithful or atheists. But for him, it is not necessary to have religion to have faith.
“Religion is sometimes created by man, an attempt by humanity to reach God,” he says. “But I believe God is the one who is reaching us. He does not need the structure of the organized religion created by men. He wants our hearts and a personal relationship.
There are already four seasons, and it seems that the last supper is an even greater challenge. How was your approach to telling this story?
Dallans Jenkins: What makes the fifth season challenging is that we have famous Bible moments that everyone knows, even not believing. “The Last Supper,” the triumphant entrance with the Palmeira branches, irritated Jesus turning all the tables in the temple. And of course Judas and his betrayal. The challenge is to customize these moments, make them human and exciting. Sometimes we think of these stories like paintings or statues, but they are real. We want to understand what we can learn from these stories or just enjoy seeing them on a TV show, without something far from us, even if they have happened 2000 years ago.
You mentioned Judas. He plays a crucial role in history. What can we expect from your traitor’s interpretation? And do you believe we all carry a little Judas inside us?
Dallans Jenkins: Yes. Judas is fascinating this season because, even though the season he moves away from Jesus, we still show what is going on in his heart and mind. He is very confusing. He doesn’t understand. And I think it represents us sometimes. When we don’t understand something or someone, we simply reject it. We do not seek a greater understanding or even consider that we may be the wrong ones. We always think, “I don’t understand, so it’s your fault. I can’t connect, so I can’t trust you.” I think this is an important lesson: seeking to understand before rejecting someone.
“The Chosen” resonates with both faithful and atheists. Some people who did not believe before end up becoming after watching. How do you feel about these testimonies?
Dallans Jenkins: Well, it is wonderful to hear when someone gets to know, understand and even love more Jesus because of the series. If this leads them to read the Bible and learn things they might not know before, it’s amazing. But when I write and drive, I don’t think about the results. I don’t think about what the public will find, because if I did it, it could try to avoid criticism or seek more compliments and respect. And that would be death to an artist. I want to please God, I want to please my wife and I want to do a good series. What happens in the viewer’s heart and mind will be different for each other. And this is not my responsibility. This is between them and God. So I just invite you to watch, and that’s it. What happens next and how you respond to this is not up to me.
Do you have any unpopular opinion about Christianity? Something that most people disagree with you.
Dallans Jenkins: There is always something in our series with which someone will disagree. In every episode we have Catholics, Protestants, Mormons, Greek Orthodox and even atheists watching. I do not see religion in the traditional way. Religion is sometimes created by man, an attempt by humanity to reach God. But I believe God is the one who is reaching us. He does not need the structure of organized religion created by men. He wants our hearts and a personal relationship. This can be controversial to some people because I go to church, I love my faith and my church, but God wants my heart. So I believe more in a personal relationship with Jesus than in a formal religious structure, if it makes sense.
Some people were surprised that not all of the series team are Christians. How important is you to gather these people and prioritize work above all?
Dallans Jenkins: In the end, I am responsible for the content, and no one interferes with it. But anyone who wants to work hard for this project is welcome. In the US, we have something called “Religious Purity Test”, which determines whether or not someone fits certain religious groups. I don’t do that. All are welcome to help tell these stories. And what God does in the hearts of each one when watching does not depend on me.
Check out the video interview:
This content was originally published in the creator of the series “The Chosen” says that Faith does not need religion on the CNN Brazil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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