Da Vinci Code under Investigation in Italy

[AnneMarble]

Read more here (http://www.thebookstandard.com/bookstandard/news/hollywood/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003600516).

"More than a year after its premiere, The Da Vinci Code is being investigated by Italian state attorneys on the grounds that it is "obscene" from a religious perspective.

Earlier this year, a complaint against the film was filed by a group of clergy near the Italian village of Civitavecchia, where the state prosecutor said it would open a criminal investigation into the film. The complaint says the film violates Article 528 of Italy's Penal Code."

What's odd (well it's not the only odd thing but odd on top of everything else) is that they're filing the complaint against the movie. From what I have read, some of the spiritual/religious stuff in the movie was supposed to be watered down a bit. But I guess if they sue over the book, they can't involve Ron Howard, etc. in the suit. Besides, surely they have had books, movies, etc. come across their country that had stronger messages about the church. But maybe those didn't garner as much attention?

Hmmm. I wonder if they're suing now because Ron Howard is beginning production on "Angels and Demons," the prequel to the Da Vinci Code? This might be one way to prevent them from being able to film in Italy.

[RumpleTumbler]

Why is it so difficult for people to understand that this is a work of "fiction?" I so despise ignorance.

[MelodyO]

Maybe they'll send an albino after Ron Howard.

[seun]

More free publicity. Not that the book needs it.

[callalily61]

This made me laugh. The movie tanked. The book was a snoozer. Why are they bothering?

Repeat after me: It's FICTION, people!

Although Opus Dei is real. I was temporarily hounded off a religion site by an Opus Dei priest who thought the fact that I was an outspoken ex-nun was abominable. He cyber-stalked me on every board I posted. I was freaked out.

The site banned him. :Sun:

[BenPanced]

The investigation's been dropped (make with the clickity here). (http://www.javno.com/en/lifestyle/clanak.php?id=55012)

[callalily61]

Oh, well. I was secretly hoping this would bump Paris Hilton off the radar.

[AnneMarble]

The investigation's been dropped (make with the clickity here). (http://www.javno.com/en/lifestyle/clanak.php?id=55012)
Interesting. I wonder if the conversations involved someone shouting "What are you doing?! We need the money from the movie production company!"

Oh, well. I was secretly hoping this would bump Paris Hilton off the radar.
Even if that happened, she would end up in the news again when Dan Brown connected her to the Merovingians. ;)

[callalily61]

Even if that happened, she would end up in the news again when Dan Brown connected her to the Merovingians. ;)

:roll:

Better yet: Paris will turn out to be the one direct linear descendant of Jesus+Mary Magdalene. She'll star in Dogma II--WWPD?

[AnneMarble]

:roll:

Better yet: Paris will turn out to be the one direct linear descendant of Jesus+Mary Magdalene. She'll star in Dogma II--WWPD?
:Jaw:

[C.bronco]

I should be sent immediately to aid the investigation. I'll need tickets for 5, first class please, and must include stops in Paris, Rome and London. Comps to the Lourve and various eateries where DaVinci may have eaten. It should take me about 4 weeks to complete my assessment. I will also require a clothing allowance in France, and a shoeing allowance in Italy.

[Plot Device]

The complaint says the film violates Article 528 of Italy's Penal Code."

What's odd (well it's not the only odd thing but odd on top of everything else) is that they're filing the complaint against the movie.

I'm guessing that penal code only applies to cinema and not literature. Perhaps there is greater freedom in Italy for literature than for cinema.

Cinema has a tremendous history in Italy--not just spaghetti westerns either. Cinema has been very active in Italy since the beginning of the 20th century, and Italy rightfully considers itself one of the important early pioneers of world cinema. (In fact, in Turin, Italy, there is a world famous museum called "The National Cinema Museum" of Italian --and world-- film history.)

But I suspect various decency laws were probably passed quite early on to regulate the industry/art form. And whatever that penal code article 528 is, it's probably a cinema-only rule with no bearing at all on literature.

(Meanwhile, I still haven't opened the link you posted to actually READ what the hubbub is all about, nor to confirm my suspicion of the penal code in question. :D But I'll get around to it. ;) )

[Plot Device]

Okay--just got done reading the article from the OP--nothing in it explains what the heck "Article 528" from the penal code is all about.

I need to do more research.

[BenPanced]

I'm guessing that penal code only applies to cinema and not literature. Perhaps there is greater freedom in Italy for literature than for cinema.

Cinema has a tremendous history in Italy--not just spaghetti westerns either. Cinema has been very active in Italy since the beginning of the 20th century, and Italy rightfully considers itself one of the important early pioneers of world cinema. (In fact, in Turin, Italy, there is a world famous museum called "The National Cinema Museum" of Italian --and world-- film history.)

But I suspect various decency laws were probably passed quite early on to regulate the industry/art form. And whatever that penal code article 528 is, it's probably a cinema-only rule with no bearing at all on literature.

(Meanwhile, I still haven't opened the link you posted to actually READ what the hubbub is all about, nor to confirm my suspicion of the penal code in question. :D But I'll get around to it. ;) )
It doesn't really say what 528 is about, just that people have complained it's been violated. I tried looking it up, and all I've gotten were articles on the suit.

[Plot Device]

The investigation's been dropped (make with the clickity here). (http://www.javno.com/en/lifestyle/clanak.php?id=55012)


Okay--so I went ahead and made with the clickety. But the article never said what that penal code artcile is all about.

What an empty, crappy piece of journalism. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon8.gif

[Plot Device]

It doesn't really say what 528 is about, just that people have complained it's been violated. I tried looking it up, and all I've gotten were articles on the suit.


Somebody somewhere needs to cough up some answers on that question. I think it bears exposition.