The hubbub over "The Golden Compass" calls to mind other big screen objections.
In 2006 it was outrage over 'The Da Vinci Code'
Who was offended? Catholics.
The Vatican, along with several Catholic groups around the world, objected strongly to the assertions made in the book and movie about the motivations of the Catholic Church in allegedly covering up a relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Additionally, the Catholic order of Opus Dei denounced the movie's depiction of it in the character of a murderous albino monk. All the ruffled feathers (and free publicity)didn't stop the film from raking in $758 million worldwide.
'The Passion of the Christ' (2004)
Who was offended? Jews.
Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" was one of the biggest hits of 2004. Its stark images of Jesus' crucifixion and the violence toward him, as well as villainous portrayals of many Jewish people, created a religious furor. Rabbis around the world said the film had the potential to transmit potent negative images, attitudes, stereotypes and caricatures about Jews and Judaism.
'September Dawn' (2006)
Who was offended? Mormons
"September Dawn" is described as a love story set against the backdrop of a 19th century massacre of a wagon train of Utah settlers. Though the massacre is documented, Mormons decry the portrayal of church members as murderers. Star Jon Voight denied the film was an attack on the church or Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
'Water' (2005)
Who was offended? Hindus
Part of an elemental trilogy that included "Fire" and "Earth," Deepa Mehta's "Water, " starring Lisa Ray and John Abraham (pictured), may have been the most incendiary of the three. Shooting on the film, which depicts the plight of Hindu widows, was disrupted when fundamentalists and supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party and its mentor, the Sangh Parivar, staged raucous protests.
'Submission' (2004)
Who was offended? Muslims
When Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh, a descendent of Vincent van Gogh, released the 10-minute film "Submission," with its criticism of violence against women in Islamic society and its images of seminude actresses with passages from the Koran displayed on their bodies, he became the target of death threats. He shrugged them off, but on the morning of Nov. 2, 2004, he was killed in the streets of Amsterdam by Mohammed Bouyeri, a Dutch citizen who was later sentenced to life in prison.
'Hollywood Buddha' (2003)
Who was offended? Buddhists
Director Philippe Caland's comedy about a struggling movie producer who buys a Buddha head and finds it changes his luck so enraged Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka and Thailand that they marched on government buildings, threatening to fast -- even to the point of death -- if the movie wasn't pulled from distribution. They were especially offended by the film's poster, which depicts Caland sitting on top of Buddha's head.
'Bowfinger' (1999)
Who was offended? Scientologists
The Church of Scientology has gained a reputation for being litigious in protecting its reputation. In fact, Premiere magazine reported in 1993 that the makers of the 1990 John Candy comedy "Delirious" felt heavy pressure from the church to remove a single line ribbing Scientology. "Bowfinger" screenwriter Steve Martin's riff on the religion, called MindHead in the movie, drew a more muted response. Makers of the movie downplayed the connection to Scientology, and Scientologists kept their protests to the pages of local newspapers, criticizing reviewers who drew any comparison to Scientology.
If the religion and or deity of your choice is not listed be assured someone in Hollywood is writing a screenplay right now to offend you. They apologize for the delay but suggest your god get a better agent who can push the production to the top of the list.
Coming Soon: "The Kabalah Affair" A heartwarming story of a Neo-pagan who joins a Unitarian church to meet a beautiful Jehovah's witness who was shunned for her friendship with a co-work who was into Zoroastrianism. It's directed by Atheist John Rastafarian and produced by PL Kyodan. Staring Ch'ondogyo Wonbulgyo and Jennifer Falun Gong.
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