With the I&B Ministry in India "temporarily suspending" the release of the much awaited Da Vinci Code movie (the adaption of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code), the expectations among people to watch it only has increased. The veteran actor and my all-time favorite Tom Hanks takes the lead in the movie depicting Langdon's character. The movie is slated to release all over the world on May 19. I hope the air is cleared in this controversy and audiences in India will get to see it.
Here's a theatrical preview of the Da Vinci Code
Here's a theatrical preview of the Da Vinci Code
The Da Vinci Code may be cleared with disclaimer
ReplyDeleteChristian groups want an advisory indicating that the film is fiction.
NEW DELHI: A decision on releasing the controversial The Da Vinci Code is expected to be taken by evening today, according to Information and Broadcasting Minister PR Dasmunsi.
Some members of Christian groups said after a special screening on Wednesday that a ban on the film is unlikely. It is learnt that the most probable outcome would be to recommend the inclusion of a disclaimer before and after the film to clarify that it is a work of fiction.
Dasmunsi, along with officials of his ministry and eight representatives of Christian groups, watched the film at a private screening. The film is due for release tomorrow.
The Christian groups will meet in the capital today and convey their view to the ministry by 11am. The ministry will make that view known to the censors. Dasmunsi said the final decision will be taken by the censor board. The censors had earlier in the week cleared the film without any cuts, but the government decided to review it before release.
Indicating that the government is only playing a facilitator on the issue, Dasmunsi said the Christian groups were invited to watch the movie as it was "an issue of religious sensitivity".
Though he refused to say what, if at all, he found objectionable in the film, he said "the film is okay as a product of art and fiction".
Father Alex, a member of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, said, "We appreciate the minister's gesture to invite us for watching the film." Although he said there were some serious concerns to be addressed, he acknowledged that the film is "a piece of fiction".
Another Christian representative said, "There should not be any ban on the film. Our faith is not so fragile."
Bishop Anil Kuttu, who was present at the screening, said, "We will give our response tomorrow morning." Although there are concerns, he said he did not find the film "too objectionable".
This is not the first time a film is being reviewed by the government before its release. Recently, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee had viewed Rang De Basanti before its release to suggest changes in the film.
The Da Vinci Code is being distributed by Sony Pictures.
As protests against The Da Vinci Code gather momentum, Mumbai comes out strongly in favour of freedom of expression
ReplyDeleteI was invited by the Censor Board to watch The Da Vinci Code. The film drags on and, to me, is not very special. The book was much better. It was a racy thriller.
I am a practicing Christian and there's nothing in the film that's spurred me to give up my religion. However, I cannot speak for anyone else. There may be people who are offended by the film.
I am against all such bans. It's ridiculous to have such an attitude. Anybody who is offended can choose not to see the film. It's ironic that the only Christian country in Asia — Philippines — has not banned the film, whereas people in India are clamouring for a ban. I see no reason why the film shouldn't be screened.