Da Vinci Code: Much-a-do about nothing

Paris, France, May 16, 2006 / 22:00 pm

“The Da Vinci Code: A film which, finally, the Church has little to be concerned about.” These are the words from Signis, the  Catholic communication association, after viewing the much announced movie yesterday. .

As the movie was presented yesterday at the opening of the Cannes Movie Festival, in France, many Christians from different backgrounds and sensibilities were anxious about the release of the film of The Da Vinci Code, directed by Ron Howard.

The Catholic association described the film as  “simply a popular entertainment. While the early scenes set us on an exciting treasure hunt, the wordiness of the drawn out twists of the later part of the film will disappoint many cinemagoers.”

“The film wants rather to please everyone and not upset them too much. The writers have added quite a number of dialogue exchanges which downplay the more controversial statements of the novel about the Church, the divinity of Jesus, the role of Mary Magdalene and even Opus Dei.

Signis wished that “the Church can benefit from this phenomenon in explaining the theological foundations of faith and the hopes of all Christians.”

Signis is a non-governmental organization that includes members from 140 countries. As the "World Catholic Association for Communication", it brings together radio, television, cinema, video, media education, Internet, and new technology professionals.

The association usually through an ecumenical jury, is one of only three Juries, along with the Official Jury and the Jury of the Film Press (Fipresci), entitled to give awards and commendations in the official competition.

The Ecumenical Jury has a particular perspective on the films. It honors works of artistic quality which witnesses to the power of film to reveal the mysterious depths of human beings through what concerns them, their hurts and failings as well as their hopes.