Censors Reverse Tack, Da Vinci Code Approved

[dezeure]

Well, our office in Antwerp rented the whole movie theatre tomorrow and about 3000 people of our office are gonna go watch the movie...

We'll see tomorrow if its good or not, but I think all of us are looking forward to the reception and drinks after the movie... (read free booze...)

Cheers,

[britmaveric]

There's a huge problem with Hollywood movies in general regarding the smearing of all things Christian; be it the setting fire of a Christmas tree, a horrific killing taking place at the same time showing a church scene, killing of priests, priests portrayed as evil, pissing on santa claus etc etc. We've seen this stuff over and over in movies for many decades. I rarely see a movie where there is no trace of this type of thing. No, banning is not the answer but they really pushed it hard in the face of Christians this time. As for me, I am non religious but I must say I get tired of all the shit thrown at the cross in movies. When was the last time we saw a star of David get desecrated and laughed at? It seems they push the shit farther and farther, this may well be the farthest yet but then again maybe not. Hollywood is full of scum

Ever watch South Park - they by far mock every religion to the extreme.

Edited May 17, 2006 by britmaveric

[monochaser]

Indeed South Park does just that and it is very unique in that regard. Matt Stone and Trey Parker are great entertainers

[yoda4806]

Now it's time to reverse the censorship to online poker sites such as Party Poker.

[nikster]

"The panel voted six to five to keep the movie as it is,"

That's what I find scarey. one vote dif.

Might just be Thai politeness towards the protestants. Give them some respect, you know, without giving in to their demands. Smart.

[Theo007]

Breaking News:

Censors reverse tack, Da Vinci Code approved

BANGKOK: -- The police censorship board has upheld the appeal of film distributors, and will allow The Da Vinci Code to be shown uncut and unchanged.

"The panel voted six to five to keep the movie as it is," said James Dhiraputra of Buena Vista International, the company which made the appeal.

Just one remnant remains of the censorship. Exhibitors must show a disclaimer at the start and end of the film stating that it is fiction. Christian groups have protested against its thesis that Jesus Christ married Mary Magdalene and had children.

The decision reverses a decision by the same board 24 hours previously, which ordered that the film's last 10 minutes be cut, and changes made to the subtitles and opening.

Protestant groups had urged that the film be banned or at least cut. The major Christian church in Thailand, the Catholics, have made no public comment on the controversial film.

According to Reuters, the evangelical Christian alliance which brought the censorship request accepted the final decison. "We respect the ruling," Thongchai Pradabchananurat, chairman of the Protestant Coordinating Committee told the news agency. "We have already expressed our feelings in this case and we will just have to forgive."

Foreign film critics, allowed to see the film for the first time today, just 24 hours before it opens in Thai theatres, roundly and apparently unanimously panned it.

Reuters reported that at a press screening late on Tuesday in Cannes, members of the audience laughed at the thriller's pivotal moment, and the end of the $125 million picture was greeted with stony silence.

"'Da Vinci' never rises to the level of a guilty pleasure. Too much guilt. Not enough pleasure," said Kirk Honeycutt of the Hollywood Reporter. Other critics agreed.

Lee Marshall of Screen International told the news agency: "I thought it was plodding and there was a complete lack of chemistry between Audrey Tautou and Tom Hanks."

For 24 hours, Thailand was the only country on Earth which agreed to censor the film. After the Tuesday decision by the film censorship board, the distributors appealed - and won.

Pol Maj Gen Somwong Lipiphun, who serves as chairman of the censorship committee, told reporters this evening that the film "can be screened without any cuts," a total reversal of Tuesday's censorship.

--Bangkokpost.com, Agencies 2006-05-17

[dob310870]

Once again Thailand looks stupid - think they thought other countries would edit/ban it. So once they were alone they did a 180 degree change.

That is one way to look at it. Another way might be that the board realised that the protests were from a tiny but (as usual) shrill minority trying to dictate what people could or could not view and decided to ignore them.

I really wish xtians would just shut up and fark off. If they want to believe then fine, but why do they always try to project their corrupt beliefs and values onto others?

Personally I won't bother to see the movie. Then again I don't watch movies about the easter bunny or santa either, fairy stories and movies related to them don't interest me.

(sorry for the rant)

That is a bit of an insult to Christians, comparing the subject matter of the Da Vinci Code to Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny. I thought the discussion was about the censorship of the movie not the validity of Christianity.

They are pretty much one in the same. If Brown says he worte the book based on facts and Christians are saying that it's not factual, thus it should be banned, well validity is what is being discussed. Who has the true facts?

That is the whole point, it doesn't matter what the facts are when comes to faith. It is a personal belief. Lots of people who have faith believe in spite of facts. It is not any individuals' place to demean another persons beliefs just because they don't share the same faith.

I need to stress that I am not a devotee of any particular religion, although I was raised a Catholic.

I personally try to be my own person and try to be as good a person as I can be.

Some people need to worship a God because that's the only way that they know how to do it.

I disagree but I am not going to denounce their faith because of it.

Quite frankly, people would be lost without faith - because without faith, for some, there is nothing else, an emptiness.

People need to believe that there is more than just life, death and then nothing. (Heavy OR WHAT?!! )

[nikster]

I actually read the Da Vinci Code on my last trip to Thailand. To be honest, as a work of complete fiction the book was only okay. I have read better. As regards the book being anything more, then I think, it should really be irrelavent to Christians. I was raised a Catholic and I can safely say that I was not offended or changed in any way by the contents of the book (maybe that's just me). If Jesus Christ actually did have 'relations with that women', does that change the words that he was to supposed to have spoken and the message that he tred to spread?

If a persons faith is based on the words and actions of their God or prophet then a strong faith can't and shouldn't be broken by what anyone says.

Faith, most of which is blind anyway, should be an internal knowing and certainty that what you believe in is right, just and wise.

If Jesus is supposed to have helaed the sick, fed the hungry and been crucified for our sins then does him having a wife and kids make the healing untrue or his sacrifice any less?

As usual the human race are children, only content to fight over trivia and be controlled by ego instead of just following the guildlines of every, non satanic, religion or philosophy.

Just be happy, make others happy if you can and live your life the best that you can.

At least try and leave this world as good a place as you found it, but if you are really lucky you will get to make a difference and make it a better one.

Quoted for truth.

I was raised catholic, too, and found nothing even remotely offensive in the book - I can imagine that it really pisses off Opus Dei and some "official" Vatican institutions simply because it doesn't present them in a good light. But then, these organizations have only themselves to blame - they _are_ scary.

To summarize: It's a work of fiction. It doesn't offend Christianity. And it gets an amazing amount of free publicity from the religious nuts cases coming out of the woodwork.

[cclub75]

Once again Thailand looks stupid - think they thought other countries would edit/ban it. So once they were alone they did a 180 degree change.

Yep. Or they got a phone call from some "superior entity" (alien ?), about money for instance (we are talking about Columbia, with a movie that makes the opening of the Festival de Cannes, and costs 125 millions USD !).

"Allo Somchai ? What the XFSFT are you doing ? Go back home, your tom yam is getting cold".

And at the end of the road, once again, Thailand looks ridiculous.

And as Britmaveric said, only 1 vote margin in favor of the ban of the ban, that is really scary...

[pjallittle]

Why should they care anyway?

The film is relates to Christianity and Thailand is Buddhist...

Remember the less than flattering cartoons of Muhammed? They were published by a newspaper in a country otherwise dominated by Christians, weren't they? It created a worldwide ruckus with protests and deaths, all because of a few cartoons.

So maybe the censorship board had that in mind, just possibly?

[thaibebop]

There's a huge problem with Hollywood movies in general regarding the smearing of all things Christian; be it the setting fire of a Christmas tree, a horrific killing taking place at the same time showing a church scene, killing of priests, priests portrayed as evil, pissing on santa claus etc etc. We've seen this stuff over and over in movies for many decades. I rarely see a movie where there is no trace of this type of thing. No, banning is not the answer but they really pushed it hard in the face of Christians this time. As for me, I am non religious but I must say I get tired of all the shit thrown at the cross in movies. When was the last time we saw a star of David get desecrated and laughed at? It seems they push the shit farther and farther, this may well be the farthest yet but then again maybe not. Hollywood is full of scum

Okay, you have picked three movies to help you make your point. Two of which I might add are comedies.

One, many Christians will tell you that Santa has nothing to do with the religion.

Two, Caddysack........you took something seriously from Caddysack? The joke about men of the cloth and golf go back to the early 20th century, it's classic American humor, no one was offended byu that.

The Godfather.....the Godfather, does this really need explaining to you. Just because violence occured in a scene within a church or whatever is not trying to insult Christianity.

I think you are going over board here. There a tons of movies that come out every year with references to the religion that are positive and deal with aspects of the religion which show it's at it's best. Ever watch South Park - they by far mock every religion to the extreme.

Indeed South Park does just that and it is very unique in that regard. Matt Stone and Trey Parker are great entertainers

Now, after your little rant about how offensive "Caddysack" is to Christianity you post this? These guys get death threats for %^$# sake. I like 'em, but for you to attack these other movies and then praise these guys........

[monochaser]

no problem thailebop, lets just see some rabbis get pissed on

[Peter_in_Frankfurt]

Good news.

Heh.

Interesting to hear the protestant's protests, which shows they don't understand the issues, and the silence from the Catholics, which shows that they do. This silence is like an admission of guilt, which I hope will inspire people to see the fictional film, and to reflect on the facts on which it is roughly based.

I enjoyed the book, and WILL enjoy the film. May we all think more and trust less.

[thaibebop]

no problem thailebop, lets just see some rabbis get pissed on

Since Santa has nothing to do with Christianity then there would be no equivalent in pissing on a Rabbi, would there?

[stumonster]

Exhibitors must show a disclaimer at the start and end of the film stating that it is fiction.

in my mind that disclaimer is required in many more places , but the lobby is more than that vestiuble encompassing the space outside the lift.

[jdinasia]

There's a huge problem with Hollywood movies in general regarding the smearing of all things Christian; be it the setting fire of a Christmas tree, a horrific killing taking place at the same time showing a church scene, killing of priests, priests portrayed as evil, pissing on santa claus etc etc. We've seen this stuff over and over in movies for many decades. I rarely see a movie where there is no trace of this type of thing. No, banning is not the answer but they really pushed it hard in the face of Christians this time. As for me, I am non religious but I must say I get tired of all the shit thrown at the cross in movies. I could site example after example of this crap: In Fast Times at Ridegemont High a kid sitting on Santa's lap pisses on him; gee what's the message there? Caddyshack has a priest on a golf course get struck by lightening, hahaha so funny. The great classic The Godfather has the climactic end murder scenes intertwined with a church scene. When was the last time we saw a star of David get desecrated and laughed at? Perhaps if we saw rabbis get pissed on and laughed at then I wouldn't think anything off it. It seems they push the shit farther and farther, this may well be the farthest yet but then again maybe not. Hollywood is full of scum

OMG ... you know NOTHING about religion .... the "Christmas Tree" is Christian? "Santa Claus" is Christian?

for that matter even Christmas being Christian is kinda silly ... the dates are not historically accurate ... wrong season ... but the church needed a holiday to cover the pagan celebrations of the winter solstice

then the repeated remarks of Rabbis being pissed on? Anti-semetic much?

oh well ... didn't expect much more from your other posts contents

<<pardon folks ... am NOT slamming Christianity ....>>

Edited May 17, 2006 by jdinasia

[the_webninja]

Yeah it was pretty scary that they only approved it by ONE Vote! But at least they decided to show it at all. If they had a Movie about Buddhism in the US, none of the Theaters would even bother to show it! Much less debate whether they should show it or not. Now THAT's Censorship!

Wanna see some Really GOOD examples of Censorship in the US?

None of this stuff is covered by ANY of the News Media in the US, even though every example in these Videos, are documented with some kind of relavent FACTS, not Theories.

Check em out!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8260059923762628848

Then watch this one:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6517776133137328105

Make sure you're sitting down.

[grtaylor]

Why should they care anyway?

The film is relates to Christianity and Thailand is Buddhist...

For this reason: the laws concerning respect of religion in this country refer to ALL religions.

[Gary A]

I think the christians should start rioting and order hit squads to kill those people responsible for making this movie.

ALL organized religion is dangerous when people blindly follow fairytale books and hateful men. They refuse to consider the fact that other people also have rights.

From the crusades of old until today religion has done more harm than good. I respect the right to worship as you see fit, BUT if your beliefs demand that I change my life you can forget it.

Edited May 18, 2006 by Gary A

[ronw]

Good news.

Heh.

This book was just about the worst i have ever read,...unbelievable crass premise,poor or nonexistent characterisation,badly written......poorly plotted......obviously written as a film script...Mr brown is probably working under the belief that "one should never overestimate the intelligence of the public".....it MUST make loads of cash for him....but I ,for one, will never pay to see such crap.

[Galong]

Isn't it nice that we live in a world where everyone has to bow down to the desires of religion. First a cartoon causes riots and death and now the Christians are trying to tell people what they can watch.

Thanks to organized religion, we're still in the Dark Ages.

This movie is FICTION, just like the Bible. If you don't like it, don't go see it.

[slim]

Its pathetic.

First Muslims world wide bleating on about some tame cartoons containing images of the prophet Mohammed and now Christians bleating on about a 2nd rate work of fiction.

People with true faith would dismiss these works as irrelevant.

As John Lennon wisely sang "Imagine no religion".

[moddeydhoo]

I am sick of the incessant winging that goes on in this forum. It appears that any opportunity some ppl get to whine about Thais and Thailand they all jump in. Where I come from there is a saying ‘If you don’t like it, there is a boat in the morning’. I presume most of the whiners actually chose to live here, so either shut the f### up or find somewhere else to whine about. I chose to live here and love it for the people, the places, the food and the life style.

Nuff said

[jdinasia]

LOL ... now there's a bright response ..... if your eyes work and fingers work ... you do have choices

[farangtoone]

How could they even argue to cut it or not ... the book has never been cut has it?

[slackula]

Isn't it nice that we live in a world where everyone has to bow down to the desires of religion. First a cartoon causes riots and death and now the Christians are trying to tell people what they can watch.

Thanks to organized religion, we're still in the Dark Ages.

This movie is FICTION, just like the Bible. If you don't like it, don't go see it.

Needed to be repeated. Well said!

[Galong]

I am sick of the incessant winging that goes on in this forum. It appears that any opportunity some ppl get to whine about Thais and Thailand they all jump in. Where I come from there is a saying ‘If you don’t like it, there is a boat in the morning’. I presume most of the whiners actually chose to live here, so either shut the f### up or find somewhere else to whine about. I chose to live here and love it for the people, the places, the food and the life style.

Nuff said

If there is something here you don't like, then simply don't read it. Obviously there are many here who find problems within Thai culture, politics, etc. Thailand has problems just like everywhere else in the world.

"Whinning" is often the product of concern. I for one would not whine about anything if I DIDN'T CARE. I for one left the US because of having the religious beliefs of other rammed down my throat. I came from the Bible Belt. I would hate to see Thailand turn into a theocracy. I applaud the censors for NOT cutting the film. I care about freedom of speech both here and abroad.

So, either shut the f### up or stop reading... ######, that's a pretty easy choice isn't it. Get a life.

[planetvoyager]

Don't these censors get it.

The more they try to censor, the more press the movie gets!

[Insight]

Once again Thailand looks stupid - think they thought other countries would edit/ban it. So once they were alone they did a 180 degree change.

Yep. Or they got a phone call from some "superior entity" (alien ?), about money for instance (we are talking about Columbia, with a movie that makes the opening of the Festival de Cannes, and costs 125 millions USD !).

"Allo Somchai ? What the XFSFT are you doing ? Go back home, your tom yam is getting cold".

And at the end of the road, once again, Thailand looks ridiculous.

And as Britmaveric said, only 1 vote margin in favor of the ban of the ban, that is really scary...

Egg on the face of Thailand for sure, but do you really believe there was a vote? Personally reckon that figure was released as a bit of a face-saving exercise.

[chuchok]

Remember when they tried to ban the Life of Brian

Now the D code

really

maybe they need to put pasties on the rude bits and get on with it

Blessed are the cheese makers.