Egypt Bans Jim Carrey God Flick

cbs ^ | CAIRO, Egypt, Nov. 7, 2003 | cbs/ap

[dennisw]

Egypt Bans Jim Carrey God Flick

CAIRO, Egypt, Nov. 7, 2003


 

Morgan Freeman as The Almighty in a scene from the movie "Bruce Almighty."  (Photo: AP) "The name of the movie -- 'Bruce Almighty' -- indicates that there is someone who can do anything and everything. Such traits belong only to God." Madkour Thabi Egypt Film Censor   Jim Carrey and Jennifer Aniston in "Bruce Almighty."  (Photo: UNIVERSAL PICTURES)

(AP) Authorities have banned the American film "Bruce Almighty,'' starring Jim Carrey and Morgan Freeman, from being shown here in Egypt, saying it infringes on God's sacredness, the state film censor said Friday.

Madkour Thabit, who heads the state-run censorship body responsible for audio and visual productions, criticized the movie for featuring "actors playing the role of God."

"The name of the movie -- 'Bruce Almighty' -- indicates that there is someone who can do anything and everything," Thabit said in a statement faxed to The Associated Press. "Such traits belong only to God."

Censorship authorities decided Wednesday to ban the film in Egypt. The movie's distributors have the right to complain against the banning.

The 2003 comedy, which also stars Jennifer Aniston, revolves around Carrey's character -- a TV reporter who complains to God for not helping him.

God played by Freeman introduces himself to Carrey's character and gives him a shot at being God for a week.

Thabit said one of the most "dangerous" reservations he had with the movie was the bid by Carrey's character to "write a book for humanity similar to the Holy Bible and the Quran."

"In another scene from the movie, he (Carrey) manages to take a monkey from inside a person, indicating that he is capable of creation, which is only God's domain," Thabit added.

In June, Egyptian censors banned the international box office hit "The Matrix Reloaded" on religious grounds, saying it explicitly challenged the topics of existence and creation.
 

[clee1]

state film censor

Great job to have in an Islamic theocracy.

[BenLurkin]

Sad that it takes a government/cleric/censor when society itself should exercise good taste to avoid this kind of Hollywierd excess.

[Dave Elias]

I'm not surprised. It was crap.

[Impy]

"The name of the movie -- 'Bruce Almighty' -- indicates that there is someone who can do anything and everything. Such traits belong only to God."

God gave him the power Madkour.

Are you saying god lacks the power to give his powers to Jim Carrey or take the guise of Morgan Freeman? How dare you!!! Blasphemer!!!!

[mhking]

Just damn.

If you want on the new list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[beavus]

take the guise of Morgan Freeman

You mean Morgan Freeman isn't really God?

[Guillermo]

Egypt is becoming more theocratic by the minute.

But, I'm not surprised that there is a lot of resentment outside the US over our highest-profile exports >>> Hollywood Trash.

[wku man]

Jim Carrey should be banned...everywhere. As if there isn't enough stupidity in the world without him.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[verity]

Would it have been acceptable is Freeman's first name was Mohammed?

[Flux Capacitor]

----You mean Morgan Freeman isn't really God?----

No, Morgan Freeman's the President of the United States.



-Dan

[Capitalist Eric]

God gave him the power Madkour.

Yes, of course you're correct! But, like any typical government lackey, he attempts to understand a literal interpretation, and fails to understand the subtle message.

But then again, with a religion like Islam (literal translation = "submission"), and Islamic messages like "if someone doesn't agree with you, they must convert or die," should we really be surprised?

I thought it was a great movie, with a good message. That the censors are too stupid to understand that message, bothers me not at all...

Be well,

[Burr5]

Now if we could just get this stupid POS banned in America.

Despite being both a quasi-libertarian and an athetist, I thought it was profoundly offensive and demeaning to the idea of divinity.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Well, of course we should never confuse movies with false prophets who claim to be God.

[Joe 6-pack]

"No, Morgan Freeman's the President of the United States."

I thought clintler was our first black president!

(btw, love your tag!)

[Centurion2000]

I thought it was profoundly offensive and demeaning to the idea of divinity

I'm a hard core Christian believer and thought it was funny as hell.

In some ways it reminded of the story of Job. And tried to give an insight into how tough the 'job' God has.

We can never know why God does the things that he does .... our job (so to speak) is to live in accordance to his laws and under his Grace.

[KansasCanadian]

I also think it is a terrific movie and plan to buy the video in a few days. Bruce Almighty spent a great number of days in the local Palace, a discount theater

[GreenHornet]

I haven't seen the movie "Bruce Almighty", so I can't comment on it. I would, however, support a ban on his "Ace Ventura" movies.

[weegee]

Keep repeating the ad campaign from some 1970s sleazy horror film "It's only a movie, only a movie, only a movie...".

Did they ban George Burns' "God" movies too?

Think they will permit Mel Gibson's The Passion?

[Capitalist Eric]

There is an interesting dichotomy, on this thread...

You have the group that takes the literal (Islamic censorship) side, being offended by the concept, and then you have the side that understands the underlying message of the movie- which has nothing to do with religion...

Does that about sum it up?