Darren Aronofsky's Noah faces ban in Muslim countries
Source: The Guardian
Ben Child
theguardian.com, Friday 7 March 2014 11.22 GMT
Darren Aronofksy's Noah could be banned across large swaths of the Middle East and parts of north Africa for contravening Islamic rules on the depiction of prophets, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The fantasy epic, which stars Russell Crowe as the biblical patriarch, has already been refused a licence by censors in Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Egypt could well follow suit, with Jordan and Kuwait also expected to outlaw the film on religious grounds.
"Al-Azhar renews its rejection to (sic) the screening of any production that characterises Allah's prophets and messengers and the companions of the Prophet (Muhammad)," said one of Egypt's leading Sunni Muslim institutes in a statement. "Therefore, al-Azhar announces the prohibition of the upcoming film about Allah's messenger Noah – peace be upon him." The institute, which is influential but does not have the final say on censorship, added that the movie "contradicts the stature of prophets and messengers ... and antagonises the faithful".
Noah is currently due to open in Egypt on 26 March, two days ahead of its US debut. The film has already caused controversy amid reports that US fundamentalist Christian groups were dismayed at Aronofksy's decision to produce a loose adaptation of the Bible story rather than a literal retelling. Studio Paramount, which is desperate to court religious filmgoers, last week issued a statement making clear that the movie is not intended as a direct translation.
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Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/mar/07/darren-aronofsky-noah-banned-muslim-countries
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...that those opposing these religious films are religious people? Apparently, the Christian Right does not like Noah either.
That invites the question, "Who's going to want to see it?" Well, I suppose there's always the Russell Crowe fans.
Who don't like being told that the Biblical stories are fiction.
But, although I have no desire to see the flick, I can understand why some would want to. My lack of interest has nothing to do with my atheism.
Maybe you can post a review. That would be cool.
It's a great story whether you are a believer or not.
And it's a story that many children grew up with, to say nothing of the famous Bill Cosby skit.
I am also a Russell Crowe fan.
I have no problem with people wanting to see it, and I did not intend to malign the film. I merely wanted to comment that some religious are going to boycott it (or try to ban it). I found that fact amusing.
Of course, Hollywood does not know how to stick to the storyline of the source material. They never have and never will. These days they need more explosions -- apparently.
I think the banning of this film is ridiculous, but then again I find many of the rules imposed in theocracies to be ridiculous (or worse).
The film will do fine, imo.
