SELLING JESUS
Thursday 9 September 2004 10.30pm-11.30pm; 1.55am-2.55am; Sunday 12 September 1.25am-2.25am (Saturday night)
This is the story of what is alleged to be the most watched film in history.
The Jesus Film is virtually unheard of in the UK, yet the organisation that made it claim that it has been seen by almost two billion people. It has won endorsements from public figures including George Bush senior and David Copperfield.
Made 25 years ago, it is a film about the life of Jesus and has been screened in nearly every country in the world, even those where preaching Christianity is against the law. Its cast is mainly white and the role of Jesus is played by the British actor Brian Deacon.
Now its makers are taking on a new frontier. They have developed an introduction to the film which is specifically designed to target the Muslim audience.
Shot over a six month period, this documentary follows a group of American missionaries who devote their lives to the Jesus Film Project. Their mission takes them into the heart of the Islamic world as part of a very 21st century mission in which the main tool is media.
