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Wednesday, May 17, 2006
RP censors give 'Da Vinci Code' R-18 grade
MANILA -- Amid the furor over the controversial "The Da Vinci Code", the Movie Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) on Tuesday gave the movie an R-18 rating, which means that the 148-minute film is strictly for adults only.
MTRCB board members Edmund Sicam, Eric Mallonga, and Betty Molina conducted the review Tuesday morning or two days before the film is due for release in Manila.
"The Da Vinci Code", a film adaptation of the novel with the same title written by Dan Brown, is top-billed by Tom Hanks. It will be released across Asia on May 18 or a day after its premier in France on May 17.
In the US, the film was given a PG (Parental Guidance)-13 rating.
The Catholic Church said it respects the MTRCB's decision and will not appeal the ruling.
But while the MTRCB has allowed the exhibition of the movie in the country, it will have rough sailing in Manila, if two councilors of the country's capital will have their way.
Manila Councilors Rolando Valeriano and Benjamin Asilo filed a resolution opposing the showing of the motion picture.
The resolution was filed Tuesday but debate on the proposed measure did not push through as there was no quorum during the council session. The debate was reset to Thursday.
The MTRCB gave the movie an R-18 rating because the "thematic, verbal and visual content of this fictionalized drama-thriller, from an over-all perspective, requires mature discernment."
The committee said there were some parts of the film that involved highly visualized corporal mortifications, self-flagellations, clerical assassinations and violent images, a fleeting sexual ritual and thematic elements that question the basic beliefs of Catholics. The committee said it needs adult maturity to distinguish fact from fiction and discern good from evil.
"Minors who are highly impressionable should not be allowed as moviegoers because of the thematic issues raised on the divinity and celibacy of Jesus Christ and the inner warnings of the Catholic Church, which say that adults are in a better position to evaluate the controversial issues raised herein. Sensibilities of the audience have to be considered within the cultural norms of society," the MTRCB review committee said in its report.
Several sectors, including non-Catholic groups, have opposed to the showing of the film in the country for its "blasphemous content". Among those who opposed the film are Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Manila Representative Bienvenido Abante, and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The MILF feels that a film that promotes irreligiousness in a Catholic country is blasphemous as it attacks Jesus Christ whom they consider as a prophet in Islam while Ermita said the film might create confusion among those of weak faith and the impressionable youth. Abante views the film as a direct attack against the Catholic Church.
The MTRCB contradicted Abante, noting that an X-rating or not allowing the film for public viewing would have been given if there was a "clear, expressed or direct attack on the Catholic Church or religion" which was not established.
"Although some critical issues are raised on generally accepted Catholic or Christian dogma, neither does this movie libel or defame any living or dead person and that arguments on the divinity and celibacy of Jesus Christ are tackled within an academic discourse or theoretical content by the movie's characters," the review committee added.
Monsignor Pedro Quitorio, spokesman of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said they respect the decision of the MTRCB to allow the showing of "The Da Vinci Code" with an R-18 rating.
"We respect the MTRCB's decision and we believe that this decision is a fruit of their tough study and their technical and judgment (knowledge) that comes from the technical analysis," Quitorio told reporters.
Quitorio said the real issue here is not whether it should be banned from being shown in the country but the claim that it would affect the faith and belief of many Catholics should they decide to watch the movie.
"Faith is bigger than a movie. The Christians' belief is much, much, much bigger than a movie, the reason why we are ignoring this hype," Quitorio added.
He also said the Catholic Church, particularly the bishops, have more important things to attend to than the movie.
"I can just surmise that you simply watch the movie and nothing happens because if by merely watching this film, it would twist your faith, then that's going to be very queer," Quitorio said.
Manila Councilors Valeriano and Asilo, on the other hand, appealed to the MTRCB to reconsider its decision to have the movie shown in the Philippines.
Valeriano said "The Da Vinci Code" is offensive to the established beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church.
He said the movie violates not only the constitutional provision on freedom of religion but also Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code, which makes it a crime to exhibit films that offend a certain religion.
"Actually, Manila Ordinance 7780 already prohibits the showing of obscene and immoral movies, including those that are contrary to morals, good customs or religious beliefs, principles or doctrines. 'The Da Vinci Code' made erroneous and unsubstantiated claims against the fundamental doctrines of Christianity," Valeriano said.
"There is therefore no doubt that the showing of the movie should be prohibited," said Asilo, who co-authored the resolution.
The two local officials also said the people behind the movie, at the pretext of exercising their freedom of expression, "should not be allowed to enrich themselves at the expense of desecrating our religious institutions and impairing our relationship with our God."
"It is very sad that after all that was written about why 'The Da Vinci Code' should not be shown, no person or organization has been bold enough to call for an outright ban on its exhibition," they said.
Earlier, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. said Malacañang will have the final say on whether or not the controversial film will be shown in the country, despite a ruling of the MTRCB on its showing.
Gonzalez said the MTRCB is just another branch of Malacañang whose authority is limited to classifying a film.
"The Da Vinci Code" movie talks about Jesus Christ's alleged marriage to Mary Magdalene and the royal bloodline of Christ that was kept a secret by the Church.
Author Dan Brown has defended his novel saying it is merely "fiction".
The last film banned by the Philippine government on grounds of being blasphemous was the "The Last Temptation of Christ" directed by Martin Scorsese and released in other countries in 1988. (JMR/ECV/MSN/Jonathan M. Mactal-UST intern/Sunnex)
(May 17, 2006 issue)
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