THE BAPTISM OF JESUS CHRIST - UNCOVERING BETHANY BEYOND THE JORDAN

LOUISVILLIAN'S PRODUCE GROUNDBREAKING FILM

Written by Lucie Blodgett   

Thursday, 07 February 2008

The Voice-Tribune, Louisville

An audience of 200 people of all faiths came to the premiere of the film “The Baptism of Jesus Christ: Bethany Beyond the Jordan” on Sunday, Jan. 13, in the Eifler Theater at the Clifton Center. An audience of 200 people of all faiths came to the premiere of the film “The Baptism of Jesus Christ: Bethany Beyond the Jordan” on Sunday, Jan. 13, in the Eifler Theater at the Clifton Center. The date was chosen for the event as it is the liturgical date of Christ’s baptism. The documentary was made by two young men, Clay Morton and Mustafa Gouverneur-Henry, both 36, of Louisville, who have been friends since kindergarten.

“We knew nothing of filming,” Clay Morton said on stage before the movie began. Clay was the producer of the gorgeous photography, while Mustafa was the director. Clay’s father, also named Clay Morton,  is the son of the late Sen. Thurston Morton. Clay’s mother is Penelope Tarrant Morton. Both parents are longtime supporters of the Thomas Merton Institute, which put on the event. Mustafa’s mother is Gray Henry, publisher of Fons Vitae books from the world’s great spiritual traditions, and friend of the Dali Lama and other leading religious leaders. This interest she shares with her husband, Neville Blakemore.

Clay introduced the film saying, “Two years ago, we were talking at Heine Brothers [cafe] about how we’d like to make films together. A few months later Mustafa called and said ‘We’ve got a film! – making  a documentary about the exact location on the Jordan River where Christ was baptized by John the Baptist.’ ”

He described the recent discovery of the actual site of the baptism, Wadi al Kharrar, on the east bank of the river.  Both were drawn to the idea of filming the story of how the site was lost from human memory for a thousand years.
Clay told the audience what it was like to arrive in Jordan and, following teas and coffees in the Royal Palace, to proceed by stretch golf cart with Prince Ghazi to the sacred site.

Clay voiced his concern to Mustafa. “What in the world have we gotten ourselves into?” he said. Mustafa replied, “Would you rather be back at Heine Brothers drinking coffee?”

The documentary is a powerful exposition of beautiful images and insightful words from countless spiritual leaders, including Huston Smith and Bishop Kallistos Ware as well as Jordan’s  King Abdullah and his first cousin Prince Ghazi bin Muhammed – and of course the archaeologists plus local Bedouin tribal chieftains. Visitors have included Pope John Paul II, who blessed the site, and Prince Charles, who came to see it.

Featured in the film are detailed accounts from pilgrims’ journals who visited the site for more than 1,000 years and several re-enactments from the lives of monks and hermits who traveled there between the first and  the 11th century. All this is interwoven with stunning aerial footage of Mount Nebo, the Dead Sea  and the wilderness beside the site.  The  sound of the wind in the wilderness transported us – enhanced by the stunning sacred art and music – making the spirit and  image of this land, which is holy to Judaism, Christianity and Islam,, unforgettably imprinted on our inner spirits.

After the screening, Clay asked for questions or comments from the audience. I said, “Your photography was breathtaking. It let the spectacular Biblical landscape speak to each of us spiritually. It is a work of art.” The audience burst into unanimous applause. They came up to me after, over punch and cookies, to tell me I expressed the powerful impact the film had on them as well.

I have studied and loved the Bible, but this film brings it alive. To see the Biblical land in person, beautifully shot, brought a comfort and calm and to all of us in the theater.

I hope you see this beautiful documentary. I will print your reactions and comments as well.

Film sponsors
The 53-minute premiere was presented by the Merton Institute for Contemplative Living whose newly-opened retreat center near Gethsemane in Bardstown is similarly named Bethany Spring, from the Bethany Spring of the River Jordan where Christ was Baptized.

The film was made possible through the support of institutions  and  individuals, many from Louisville, as are a number of religious scholars and clergy who appear in the film and its bonus footage.

For more information, visit, www.baptismsite.com  and www.tenthousandfilms.com/Baptism-of-Christ-film.html 
Attending the premiere were Bob and Mary Ellen Toth (Bob is head of the Merton Institute for Contemplative Living); Gray Henry, mother of Mustafa Gouverneur-Henry; Philip Newman and his wife, Eleanor Tarrant Newman (aunt of Clay Morton); Clay’s father Clay Morton; Clay’s mother Penelope Tarrant Morton; Father John Eifler; Eleanor Bingham Miller; Dr. Bodley Stites and Sister Kemp Stites; Lucy Jones; Greg Cheney; Jonathan Montaldo; Brother Patrick Hart, Merton’s secretary; and Neville Blakemore.

Site of National Park
The historical site is also where many other important spiritual events occurred in the Bible. It is where the Israelites, led by Joshua, first crossed into the Promised Land, and it is where Elijah was taken into heaven on a chariot of fire. It is also the site where St. Mary the Egyptian and other early Christian holy figures lived and died.

The site is a legally protected National Jordanian Park run by an independent board of trustees appointed personally by King Abdullah II of Jordan, who considers its maintenance “an honor and a sacred trust for future generations of Jordanians and Christian pilgrims from all over the world.”

1) Read original article with images: "Louisvillian's Produce Groundbreaking film"

2) Read article online: http://www.voice-tribune.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=382&Itemid=25