'Mary Magdalene' film resurrected in U.S. for Easter

Movie set in Holy Land features multiple Israeli actors.

By AMY SPIRO
Mary Magdalene movie poster (photo credit: TRANSMISSION FILMS)
Mary Magdalene movie poster
(photo credit: TRANSMISSION FILMS)
Mary Magdalene, a Hollywood film about the woman who became a disciple of Jesus, is set to finally hit movie theaters in the US next month, a year after its international release.
The film will be released in the United States on April 12, a week before Easter Sunday, and more than a year after its global premiere. The American release was held up because at the time, its distribution rights were held by The Weinstein Company. The film company was undergoing a dissolution following the bombshell accusations against Harvey Weinstein, and the movie was shelved until it was picked up by IFC Films, which is now handling its distribution.
Joaquin Phoenix plays Jesus in the film, while Mara Rooney portrays Mary Magdalene. Amid the slate of supporting cast, however, are a bevy of familiar Israeli faces. Fauda’s Lior Raz, almost unrecognizable with hair and a full beard, makes an appearance, as does his Fauda co-star Tsahi Halevy. Hadas Yaron (Fill the Void, Shtisel) appears in the film, as well as Shira Haas (Shtisel, The Zookeeper’s Wife, A Tale of Love and Darkness), Uri Gavriel (The Baker and the Beauty, Fauda), Zohar Strauss (Srugim, Shtisel) and Irit Sheleg (Fill the Void, The Wedding Plan).
While the film features a wide range of Israeli actors and is set in the Holy Land, it was filmed entirely in Italy.