urm parents? i tot its the censorship board's decision?
Life! - Life Buzz
Da Vinci rated NC16
Jasmine Miller
401 words
10 May 2006
Straits Times
English
(c) 2006 Singapore Press Holdings Limited
The controversial movie The Da Vinci Code will be shown unedited as
authorities view it strictly as a work of fiction
THE Da Vinci Code movie, starring Tom Hanks, has been given an NC16
rating (no children below 16) .
It will be screened in cinemas islandwide on May 18 with no
cuts.
The Media Development Authority, in a press statement on Monday,
said the Board of Film Censors (BFC) had sought the views of the
Film Consultative Panel (FCP).
The FCP members comprise a cross-section of society, representing
different professions, age groups, races and religions.
After watching and discussing the film, most members came to the
conclusion 'that the film should be viewed as a thriller and a
piece of fiction. Members agreed that the film can be shown, but at
a higher rating as only a mature audience will be able to discern
and differentiate between fact and fiction', the MDA statement
said.
In making the recommendation, the FCP also noted that the film
adaptation had additional dialogue (not found in the book), which
emphasises the importance of religious faith.
Singaporeans will get to see the movie in its entirety as 'it's
been rated clean, with no edits', said MDA's senior manager,
communications, Ms Koh June May.
The National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) had objected
to the release of the movie two weeks ago because it said it
denigrates the Christian faith and questions the divinity of its
founder, Jesus Christ.
'We are disappointed that the Media Development Authority has
decided to allow the movie to be shown despite the concern we had
expressed, that the film would offend the sensitivities of
Christians,' NCCS general secretary Lim K Tham told Life!
yesterday. 'We feel strongly that in our multi-religious and
multi-racial society, films that denigrate a race or religion
should not be allowed.'
The NCCS is organising two free public talks by noted Bible scholar
Ben Witherington III, who will speak about The Da Vinci Code at St
Andrew's Cathedral on June 1 and 2.
The professor of New Testament interpretation at Asbury Theological
Seminary in Kentucky, in the United States, is considered one of
the world's top evangelical scholars. He has written over 30 books,
including The Jesus Quest, The Paul Quest and The Gospel
Code.
[email protected]
