French block Passion of the Christ

The age ^ | March 1, 2004 | By Kim Willsher

[miltonim]

French cinema chains are refusing to distribute or screen Mel Gibson's controversial film The Passion of the Christ because of fears that it may spark a new outbreak of anti-Semitism.

France is the only European country where there is still no distribution deal for the film, which depicts the last days of Jesus Christ in graphic detail and is accused by critics of stoking anti-Jewish sentiment.

The film was released in America and Australia last week but French distributors are wary of its impact on audiences and want to gauge its reception elsewhere in Europe, where it is due to open next month. A veteran film industry figure said: "We don't want to be on the side of those who support such anti-Semitism. When we distributed It's a Beautiful Life we were worried about the risk of making a comedy about the Holocaust, but that was different. There's enough anti-Semitic stuff circulating here already without us throwing oil on the fire."

The debate over the film is highly sensitive in France, where a spate of fire-bombings of synagogues and Jewish schools and attacks on rabbis in the past year has led Israel to denounce it as the most anti-Semitic country in Europe. Anger with Israel among France's large and growing Muslim population, combined with the strength of right-wing parties in some French districts, have contributed to an atmosphere that has alarmed political and Jewish leaders.

Last year Paris police were forced to set up a unit to deal with anti-Semitic crimes. Schoolteachers complain that they face a hostile reaction among Muslim students when trying to teach the history of the Holocaust, which some equate with Israel's actions against Palestinians. Now a string of major distributors have signalled they are not interested in the film. "We could have asked to see it but we haven't," said Jean-Claude Borde, director of Pathe Distribution.

[Dante3]

It is absurd to say that this film will promote anti-Semtism or prejudice against Italians. It happened far too long a time ago.

This same argument could be made that films about Vikings would promote anti-Scandinavian sentiments. There been many WWII movies made recently and none have led to rioting against Germans.

[Dante3]

France and Eurpean countries have been admitting people who are strongly anti Isreal. Makes one wonder why they want them in their countries.

[AMDG&BVMH]

"Lol... Mel Martel has a great ring to it . . ."

Well, you are the one who identified the need for more Martels! And Braveheart fits the type . . .

"(by the grace of God) ended up winning. "

God does indeed sometimes use the most unlikely, imperfect humans to accomplish something truly beyond their power.

"(And, furthermore, I believe Mel Martel may have struck a pretty good blow in this battle... that is why some are out there to destroy him. We can't let them succeed!)"

Exactly. And his human imperfections are no barrier to that, as he admits he is a sinner, and has turned his talents to the service of God's Will. I am amazed . . . but shouldn't be. ;)

[Dog Gone]

I'm not clear whether this is a decision by French distributors or by the French government. I'm guessing it's the former, but that seems a little weird. Money talks, and nobody has beat up a Jew upon exiting the movie yet.

[William Martel]

Honestly, who would have imagined 10 - 15 years ago that Mel Gibson would be a champion of our cause. We don't get support from those in Hollywood often, so we have to take who we can get.

Gibson just so happens to be a talented mega-star who shares traditional values (after I saw Braveheart he became my favorite actor. I love that movie).

It takes a lot to admit one is a sinner. It takes even more to stand by that admission and to embrace the grace of God to transform us into that which God would have us to be. I believe God desires to work through all of us, if only we would submit to his will and turn from our own pride.

Personally, I know I still have a long way to go... still... ad majorem Dei gloriam!

[AMDG&BVMH]

"The "Religious Wars" of the 16th and 17th Centuries (I include the Thirty Years War) involved millions and millions of deaths, mostly of the innocent."

No argument there. But there was also political impetus to the battles credited to religious differences. Theology wasn't all, maybe not even most, of what set the Swedes into Germany. Richeleu was Catholic (but French first?).

"~ even built this drowning machine. This got rid of them; ~ stupidity of the Revolutionaries."

Yes, the revolution tends to eat its own, in addition to many others.

"When you are doing a genealogical search . . ."

Yes, you have to learn about history, too. My French ancestors were Catholic rather than Huguenot; I found them, but boy did Napoleon's date system cause me grief. (I am trying fill in the dots for some who were prob. Anabaptists from Switzerland.)

I read of the Prussian Huguenots in an autobio. of Fred. the Great, and in Guenter Grass' Too Far Afield.

[muawiyah]

Regrding the Third-Years-War, when we get to the Danish phase, it's definitely a religious war, but one that seems to be between the Lutherans and the Presbyterians!

With 98% of the folks in Scanderhoovia and environs being at least nominally members of the Lutheran state religion, it kind of looks like the Presbyterians "lost" ~ must be why they all moved here, eh?!

Regarding Richilieu, his Grandfather or (Great Grandfather depending on the record you look at) Champigny was the youngest son of a Huguenot noble family (even had Bourbon, Valois, and other well-known relatives). Once Richilieu got a chance he stole Grandpa Champigny's estate for himself. Richilieu stole many other properties from his relatives.

Of course, he was just the sort of fellow who would have done that even if they weren't his relatives, and without respect to anyone's religion. We call people like this "opportunity thieves".

[AMDG&BVMH]

"Honestly, who would have imagined 10 - 15 years ago that Mel Gibson would be a champion of our cause."

I didn't either. Apparently, he was doing some spiritual reading "behind the scenes."

"after I saw Braveheart he became my favorite actor"

I felt the sameway about Patriot. I haven't seen Braveheart - yet.

"the grace of God to transform us into that which God would have us to be. I believe God desires to work through all of us, if only we would submit to his will . . . a long way to go"

You are speaking for me, too.

".. still... ad majorem Dei gloriam!"

I'll second that ;)

[William Martel]

The Patriot was an excellent movie and confirmed the opinion I had formed during Braveheart (I enjoyed his earlier work too, but Braveheart was where he really established himself for me). I knew there was something special about Mel when I saw that movie and he gave the guns to his two sons to shoot at British soldiers... how many actors out there today would protest shooting such a scene?

".. still... ad majorem Dei gloriam!"

I'll second that ;)

Somehow, I had a feeling you would... ;)

[oyez]

Honestly, I can't see any French Muslims

Or any Muslims for that matter. I'm sure that has been arranged to be forbiden by the clergy.

[AMDG&BVMH]

"Once Richilieu got a chance he stole Grandpa Champigny's estate for himself. Richilieu stole many other properties from his relatives."

I didn't know that part; his self-serving opportunism extended apparently through the entire spectrum of his actions. No wonder he was willing to let Scandanavian Protestants try to wipe Catholicism out of Germany.

At least in that most horrible (Thirty Years) war, there were stories of towns saving themselves from devastation by pleading or drinking a liter of wine at one gulp. WW II was not very discriminate of innocent civilians, e.g. from the air.

[AMDG&BVMH]

"I knew there was something special about Mel when I saw that movie and he gave the guns to his two sons to shoot at British soldiers... "

Yes, "too cool" to use the vernacular. (After all, everyone "knows" guns and kids don't mix . . .) He had the courage of his 2nd amendment convictions, which is what I took it to be at the time. (BTW my daughter is going to 4-H shooting sports camp this summer. Filled out the ap. today. Doubt she'll have to fire a shot in anger; but, hey, it's a good, fun sport anyway.)

[miltonim]

lol

[Centurion2000]

The French surrender again! Time to get rid of the tri-color and officially adopt the white flag (with maybe a hint of yellow). No wonder Islam is thriving there...

White with a big yellow stripe running right up the spine of it.

Then add commie and islam symbols to taste.

[William Martel]

Good for you! I think it is great to teach kids a good appreciation of gun ownership. I was never given that when I was younger. I personally think the 2nd Amendment is the most important, because all the others (even the 1st!) hinge on it. As long as she has a proper respect, there is nothing wrong with that!

[Zack Nguyen]

Would it be out of bounds to wonder if France's anti-Jewish issues are caused by the sizable Muslim population there? Does anyone have any insight?

[AMDG&BVMH]

"it is great to teach kids a good appreciation of gun ownership"

The first year she took Gun Safety as a project, it was on one wing of a poster board with her laundry project. The 4-H judge said: guns? laundry? (but laughed)

She is also taking sewing: this year, a chemise and bilaut ala Eleanor of Aquitane. (She also wants to decorate her room in 12th century Gothic.) She also raises rabbits, does tree planting, and well, 4-H season wears me out! But it is all good education.

I agree with your assessment of the 2nd.

[miltonim]

lol

[sheik yerbouty]

Of course not. The French have already surrendered!

[Henry Belden]

Would it be out of bounds to wonder if France's anti-Jewish issues are caused by the sizable Muslim population there?
Does anyone have any insight?

Google: "Capt. Alfred Dreyfus".