The writer/director for Last Days in the Desert met with Christianity Today to discuss the upcoming film, which features Ewan McGregor as Jesus and Satan.
Garcia said he is not a devout Christian, but grew up in the Catholic Church in Colombia. He is the son of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the author of Love in the Time of Cholera.
Garcia’s film is described as a “short story” and tells the story of Jesus’ final few days in the wilderness when he goes to the Judean Desert to fast and to pray for 40 days. During this time, he is tempted by Satan three times. Garcia’s film then describes what happens when Jesus comes upon a family who offer him hospitality.
“By choosing Jesus, I know what the end is," he says. "I have some freedoms because it’s an invented chapter, but I have to obey the origin and obey the destiny.”
Said McGregor: “I’ve never felt like a film was as important as this one for a long, long time. I was so moved by it, and so immediately passionate and connected to it.”
But Garcia told Christianity Today that Last Days isn’t just another Bible-based movie.
"I cringe a little bit when I think 'Bible movie,'" Garcia said.
“Well, I think we’re more of an art film. We’re not trying to make a Biblical story.”
The film premieres at Sundance next week.
Publication date: January 13, 2015
