By: Justine Axelsson
Posted In: Arts & Entertainment
Photo credit: Donna Harrington-Lueker
Cover of Dan Brown’s best-seller, ‘The DaVinci Code’
Catholics across the country are being asked by the Vatican and other clergy to boycott the upcoming film version of “The Da Vinci Code” which is being released by Sony on May 19 at the Cannes film festival, and stars Tom Hanks and Audrey Tatou.
“The Da Vinci Code,” based on the novel by Dan Brown, is an international murder mystery whose focus lies in uncovering a secret about the life of Jesus Christ that the Opus Dei, a murderous, power hungry religious sect, has been trying to protect for centuries. The main issue of the story is that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and had children. Church officials are saying that the film is against Christ and the Catholic church, however, there seems to be a different outlook on the film from the Salve Regina community. Dr. Anthony LoPresti, assistant professor of religious studies, took some time to answer a few questions about his feelings on the boycott.Q. As a professor of religious studies, do you feel that ‘The Da Vinci Code’ is a threat to the Catholic religion?
A. As far as I am concerned, neither the book nor the film claim to be history lessons; they are striving to tell entertaining stories that utilize the characters who actually existed in history.
Q. Do you think Dan Brown and Sony Pictures are guilty of being anti-Catholic?
A. Rather than criticizing the author of the book or Sony Pictures, I think Christians should see the release of the film as a good opportunity to discuss issues which are normally not on the front burner.
Q. What would you tell anyone that may be offended by what they see in the film?
A. I’m sorry some people will be offended by what they see on the screen, but I believe the true offenses in the world are issues such as the millions of AIDS orphans in Africa, the 24,000 children who die each day because of disease and hunger, the countless number of people who work ungodly hours in unsafe sweatshops for mere pocket change, and the millions of affluent Americans who are oblivious to it all.
Q. What would you say to people who are torn between going to see it and boycotting it?
A. Don’t ignore the movie, but let’s keep it in perspective.
