Movies
Catholic group urges 'Da Vinci' changes
Published Wednesday, Feb 15 2006, 14:24 GMT | By Fiona Edwards
Catholic group Opus Dei have asked that The Da Vinci Code not include"references that hurt Catholics."
The group have previously called for the movie to be given an adult rating, but now want the storyline to be changed.
"The Da Vinci Code offers a deformed image of the Catholic Church," Opus Dei said in a statement released in Rome.
The book that the movie will be based on portrays the group as power-hungry and determined to cover up a conspiracy involving the bloodline of Jesus Christ. Which particular parts of the story that Opus Dei have asked to be removed have not been made clear, but studio Sony are stating that the movie and book will be considered as complete works of fiction and treated as such.
"[The film is] not a religious tract, and it is certainly not meant to criticise any group, religious or otherwise," said Jim Kennedy of Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Opus Dei have said that changes to the film would be of benefit to all Catholics "particularly in these days in which everyone has noted the painful consequences of intolerance." However, they will not be encouraging a boycott of the movie and will instead follow "more constructive" paths.
The group have previously called for the movie to be given an adult rating, but now want the storyline to be changed.
"The Da Vinci Code offers a deformed image of the Catholic Church," Opus Dei said in a statement released in Rome.
The book that the movie will be based on portrays the group as power-hungry and determined to cover up a conspiracy involving the bloodline of Jesus Christ. Which particular parts of the story that Opus Dei have asked to be removed have not been made clear, but studio Sony are stating that the movie and book will be considered as complete works of fiction and treated as such.
"[The film is] not a religious tract, and it is certainly not meant to criticise any group, religious or otherwise," said Jim Kennedy of Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Opus Dei have said that changes to the film would be of benefit to all Catholics "particularly in these days in which everyone has noted the painful consequences of intolerance." However, they will not be encouraging a boycott of the movie and will instead follow "more constructive" paths.
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