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Movie About "Pope Joan" Set for Release
CMR ^
| May 16, 2008
| matthew archbold
Posted on 05/16/2008 10:00:41 AM PDT by NYer
The armies of female ordination have just taken over Hollywood and are now set to march onto the Vatican. Coming soon to a movie theater near you is a "historical drama" about "Pope Joan." Shooting is set to begin in August, for a planned 2009 release, says Yahoo.
You've heard of Pope Joan, right? Pope Joan is the name of a female pope (also La Papessa) who supposedly reigned for less than three years in the 850s, based on a legend that circulated in the Middle Ages. Pope Joan is regarded by most modern historians and religious scholars as fictitious, possibly originating as an anti-papal satire.
But Hollywood is taking it seriously and making it into a movie, based on the Donna Cross book, which has all the accuracy of a Dan Brown novel.
Thankfully, the movie is running into all sorts of trouble. German actress Johanna Wokalek ("Barefoot") is rumored to be replacing Franke Potente as the 9th-century female pontiff in "Pope Joan."
Directors were changed. Production was called off after John Goodman, who had been cast to play Pope Sergius, pulled out. Lawsuits ensued.
The synopsis of the book says:
"The novel is based on the life of one of the most fascinating, extraordinary women in Western history--Pope Joan, a controversial figure of historical record who, disguised as a man, rose to rule Christianity in the 9th century as the first and only woman to sit on the throne of St. Peter.
Never mind that nearly everyone says she's completely made up.
That won't stop television shows from yacking about this great historic heroine who struggled against restrictions her souls would not accept. Oh. There will be press conferences, liberals will cheer about the movie "speaking truth to power. Larry King will ask the director "So why is the Church trying to silence you?" Let's hope this all doesn't work out.
TOPICS: Catholic; History; Moral Issues
KEYWORDS: joan; papacy; popefiction; popejoan
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![](http://www.reuters.com/resources/r/?m=02&d=20080515&t=2&i=4268457&w=&r=2008-05-15T073309Z_01_N15539275_RTRUKOP_0_PICTURE0)
German actress Johanna Wokalek poses during a presentation of the European 'Shooting Stars 2006' award winners in Berlin February 13, 2006.
1
posted on
05/16/2008 10:00:41 AM PDT
by
NYer
To: Salvation; narses; SMEDLEYBUTLER; redhead; Notwithstanding; nickcarraway; Romulus; ...
Hollyweird continues to rear its ugly head.
2
posted on
05/16/2008 10:02:40 AM PDT
by
NYer
(Jesus whom I know as my Redeemer cannot be less than God. - St. Athanasius)
To: NYer
I can see a list in my head of anti-Catholic Freepers who are just squirming with excitement at the thought of this one.
3
posted on
05/16/2008 10:06:10 AM PDT
by
Petronski
(Scripture & Tradition must be accepted & honored w/equal sentiments of devotion & reverence. CCC 82)
To: NYer
possibly originating as an anti-papal satire. But Hollywood is taking it seriously and making it into a movie
4
posted on
05/16/2008 10:06:30 AM PDT
by
ClearCase_guy
(Et si omnes ego non)
To: NYer
The most pathetic thing about the "Pope Joan" myth is that it wasn't even a satire - it was most likely dolts misreading the abbreviation
Ioan. (abbreviation for
Iohannes) in some set of annals.
The first mention of such a notion is around 1300 - 450 years after this supposedly took place.
5
posted on
05/16/2008 10:08:17 AM PDT
by
wideawake
(Why is it that those who call themselves Constitutionalists know the least about the Constitution?)
To: NYer
Hollyweird exercising its proclivity for anti-Christian, probably pre-lesbian, almost certainly anti-historical and written to be as ‘shocking’ as possible. I will be greatly suprised if the shock does not end up for the fools who finance this when it fails.
6
posted on
05/16/2008 10:14:56 AM PDT
by
SES1066
(Cycling to conserve, Conservative to save, Saving to Retire, will Retire to Cycle.)
To: Petronski
I can see a list in my head of anti-Catholic Freepers who are just squirming with excitement at the thought of this one.
No, not really. I see it as more Hollyweird silliness, with about as much theological significance as an Ah-nold Swartzeneggar film about the rise of Antichrist. Most of them are just tone deaf about Christianity.
7
posted on
05/16/2008 10:19:54 AM PDT
by
Lee N. Field
("Think of it as...an eschatological intrusion." BLAMBLAMBLAMBLAM!! BOOOM!!)
To: NYer
There’s already been a POPE JOAN movie, released in 1972 starring Liv Ullman. So this would be a remake.
8
posted on
05/16/2008 10:22:05 AM PDT
by
Argus
(Obama: All turban and no goats.)
To: All
9
posted on
05/16/2008 10:23:01 AM PDT
by
Alex Murphy
("Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" -- Galatians 4:16)
Comment #10 Removed by Moderator
Comment #11 Removed by Moderator
To: Lee N. Field
I haven't known you to be anti-Catholic.
No, not really.
Are you saying I cannot see such a list?
12
posted on
05/16/2008 10:24:13 AM PDT
by
Petronski
(Scripture & Tradition must be accepted & honored w/equal sentiments of devotion & reverence. CCC 82)
To: NYer
13
posted on
05/16/2008 10:25:53 AM PDT
by
Gunflint
To: NYer
So when is this one getting released? Good Friday? Christmas Eve? All Saints Day?
14
posted on
05/16/2008 10:26:05 AM PDT
by
weegee
(Vote NO on Marxism in 2008.)
To: NYer
They should just call this movie “Loser” for all the money it will cost.
Sheesh..
15
posted on
05/16/2008 10:26:42 AM PDT
by
TexanToTheCore
(If it ain't Rugby or Bullriding, it's for girls.........................................)
To: NYer
But Hollywood is taking it seriously and making it into a movie, based on the Donna Cross book, which has all the accuracy of a Dan Brown novel.There's a difference between an historical drama and a documentary.
The book or film doesn't have to be "accurate" - it's fiction, after all - only good. Which is the real problem with Dan Brown's book.
16
posted on
05/16/2008 10:30:53 AM PDT
by
highball
("I never should have switched from scotch to martinis." -- the last words of Humphrey Bogart)
To: NYer
Good grief. I am an American and a Catholic -- two affiliations that it's still permissible for Hollyweird to slander and bash to their hearts' content.
When does the revolution start? I'm ready.
17
posted on
05/16/2008 10:37:22 AM PDT
by
Antoninus
(Siblings are the greatest gift parents give their children.)
To: NYer
Good Lord they could only attach John Goodman to play the pope? I don’t think we have anything to worry about.
18
posted on
05/16/2008 10:43:34 AM PDT
by
Rutles4Ever
(Ubi Petrus, ibi ecclesia, et ubi ecclesia vita eterna!)
To: weegee
So when is this one getting released? Good Friday? Christmas Eve? All Saints Day? Lol ... we should set up a lottery and let freepers select the 'feast' day on which this movie will be released.
19
posted on
05/16/2008 10:47:49 AM PDT
by
NYer
(Jesus whom I know as my Redeemer cannot be less than God. - St. Athanasius)
To: NYer
20
posted on
05/16/2008 11:27:27 AM PDT
by
ichabod1
(If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it, and if it stops moving, subsidize it.)
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