Associated Press – June 16, 2008
ROME – Rome’s diocese said Monday it has barred the producers of “Angels & Demons” from filming in two churches for the prequel to the “The Da Vinci Code,” the popular book and film that angered many Catholic leaders.
Producers of the film, directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks, were turned down because the movie “does not conform to our views,” said Monsignor Marco Fibbi, a spokesman for the diocese.
The crew had asked to film in the churches of Santa Maria del Popolo and Santa Maria della Vittoria, two architectural jewels in the heart of Rome that include paintings by Caravaggio, sculptures by Bernini and a chapel designed by Raphael.
Permission was denied in 2007, but the issue surfaced only now that filming is ongoing in Rome, Fibbi said. The Sony-produced film was put on hold during the Writers Guild of America strike that ended in February and is now scheduled for release in May 2009.
Fibbi’s comments first were reported this week by the Italian entertainment magazine “TV Sorrisi e Canzoni.” “It’s a film that treats religious issues in a way that contrasts with common religious sentiment,” Fibbi told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. “We would be helping them create a work that might well be beautiful but that does not conform to our views.”
Fibbi acknowledged that the controversy over writer Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code” and its blockbuster movie version had weighed on the decision.
The story drew anger and prompted calls for boycotts by church leaders worldwide with the idea that Jesus married and fathered children and by depicting the conservative Catholic movement, Opus Dei, as a murderous cult.
“This is a prequel to ‘The Da Vinci Code’ and it’s clear that the theme is similar,” Fibbi said. He added that the ban would not stop the crew from filming the exterior of the churches.
Brown’s “Angels and Demons” is a religious thriller combining an ancient secret brotherhood called the Illuminati, code-cracking, a papal conclave and a high-tech weapon threatening to destroy the Vatican.
It features Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon of “The Da Vinci Code” fame, played by Hanks in the movie.
Calls to Sony Pictures in London and Rome were not immediately returned Monday.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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posted June 16, 2008 at 6:34 pm
It’s their church and have the authority to say “No”. End of story.
However it also proves that the Church really doesn’t like any information, fictional or not, to be different than what it teaches. People might start thinking….
posted June 16, 2008 at 8:00 pm
I really can’t blame the ‘powers that be’ for their decision not to allow filming in their church. They are being lenient to allow filming of the outside, actually. The studio will be able to build a set or sets depicting what they need or want. This will allow artists, set construction people, etc., jobs. This will bring money to CA, I hope in the construction, and for the food industry to serve the workers. Can’t wait to see the movie!!
posted June 16, 2008 at 10:04 pm
ps and Henrietta, I agree with you. Their church, their right.
posted June 16, 2008 at 11:27 pm
It is unfortunate that the authrities will not allow them the use of the location. However, modern film technology and some good old fashioned set design will allow them to recreate the parts they truly need. I am sure some of the footage of the critical statuary will be gotten for a price. All in all, this may save them some money. I do like “Angels and Demons” a little better than “DaVinci Code”. However I am not as anxious to see this film as I am to
Read
His
Next
BOOK!!!!!
posted June 17, 2008 at 10:19 am
This is a pretty simple one. Would you want someone to make a film about you, at your house, that is based on made up speculation and slander? Plus, the last movie sucked anyway.
posted June 17, 2008 at 11:23 am
jramone, it’s fiction!! Even though it won’t be filmed in the churches, the story will be told on the screen…and has already been a book. And besides, what’s wrong with speculating on JC and churches and other religious things? Nothing. The Bible has a lot of speculation in it…
posted June 17, 2008 at 11:38 am
Just happened to think, jramone, is it really fiction? Only the RCC knows for sure.
posted June 17, 2008 at 12:58 pm
The movie might be fiction, but it’s fiction that caters and appeals predominantly to those who tend to think, or at least hope, that there’s at least some truth to it. There’s no need for the Church to invite its enemies into its home.
posted June 17, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Agreed Nate, as I said above, it is up to the church to say yes or no…have no problem with that. If the movie bothers someone, easy, don’t go see it. That too is a choice.
posted June 19, 2008 at 8:28 am
The movie might be fiction, but it’s fiction that caters and appeals predominantly to those who tend to think, or at least hope, that there’s at least some truth to it. There’s no need for the Church to invite its enemies into its home.
True, true. The book and movie can say what it wants as long as it presents itself as fiction, but the Church is under no obligation to help that along, especially when it puts the Church in a negative light.