Critics pan Da Vinci Code, but controversy still swirls

Hard to say whether the negative reviews of critics at the Cannes film festival will have any impact on The Da Vinci Code's box office.

The movie is bound to do well simply because of the success of the book. However, will the critics keep some people from seeing the film?

Strangely the movie is creating the most controversy in Asia where countries like India, Thailand, South Korea and the Philippines have talked of banning the film.


Audrey Tautou at the screening of The Da Vinci Code at the Cannes film festival on May 17. AP photo from Yahoo News.

Despite approval of censors, the film's opening may be delayed in India, and in Thailand they cut the last 10 minutes of the drama, but later reversed the decision after an appeal by Columbia Pictures.

It's likely all the hoopla from protesters will boost visibility of the Da Vinci Code, and thus may in the end increase sales for the Sony Pictures production.

A screening in China actually beat out the Cannes' "premiere" by about an hour, and the film appears to be generating much interest in that country.

Indian Muslims and Christians band together for Da Vinci Code ban

An unusual coalition of Christian and Muslim groups in India called for a ban on the controversial film The Da Vinci Code.

Leaders from both groups said the film, which depicts Jesus as a married man with progeny, insults the common beliefs of both groups.


Indian Christians demand ban of The Da Vinci Code movie on May 9 in Mumbai, India. Reuters photo from Yahoo News.

Muslims also believe in Jesus as a prophet although they disagree with Christians on details of his life and on the question of his divinity.

Both groups called for protests if the film airs, and Syed Noori, president of the Mumbai-based Raza Academy even threatened a violent response.

The Da Vinci Code movie, if it follows the path of the novel, also portrays the conservative Opus Dei organization as a murderous group bent on hiding the truth of the life of Jesus.


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Fireknife dancers vie for world title

Contests for the World Fireknife Competition are set to begin Thursday, May 18 and the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Hawai`i. The event runs until Saturday.

More than 40 competitors will compete for the title of world's best fireknife dancer won last year by Mikaele Oloa.



The dance form, which originated in Samoa, is now practiced by dancers coming from many different cultures.

A flaming knife is whirled around at high speeds as the dancer performs acrobatic dance moves and gyrations.


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