SCORSESE FILM TRIGGERS HEATED DEBATE BETWEEN NATIONAL TV AND BELIEVERS

Society | January 16, 2002, Wednesday // 00:00

Protests by the church and viewers against the broadcasting of Scorsese's film “The Last Temptation of Christ” led to changes in the program of the National Television. Initially the film was scheduled for 9.30 p.m. on January 18. Representatives of the Bulgarian Christian Orthodox Church Holy Synod, describe the film as outrageous in a letter to the Electonic Media Council chairman and the Parliamentary Speaker. They point out that the film has been banned in Italy, Greece, Russia and other European countries because of its blasphemous rendering of the life of the Saviour. “The Last Temptation of Christ” is based on the novel by the Greek author Nikos Kazantzakis, who was excommunicated by the Church for this work. Paul Schrader adapted the novel to the screen. When it was released in 1988 it brought an Oscar nomination to director Martin Scorsese and Golden Globe nominations to Peter Gabriel (for original score) and Barbara Hershey (for supporting actress).“To be a human, Jesus had to have all human weaknesses, be a victim of all temptations and possess a free will. This film tells us how Jesus faced one temptation and defeated it," the National Television statement, issued after the protests, reads.

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