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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Time’s Up for Watching "The Lizard" -- Still Time for Skating at Airport |
| 2004-05-16 |
| The makers of an Iranian box-office hit seen as satirising the religious establishment have decided to withdraw the film. The producers of Marmoulak (The Lizard) say the award-winning film will be withdrawn by next Friday, following pressure from the authorities. The film had been playing to packed cinemas since 21 April - but attracted criticism from the conservative clergy. It is about a convicted criminal who disguises himself as a mullah. .... But hardliners have found it offensive. Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, head of the powerful Guardian Council, said the film was a "bad influence". The audience lapped up the comedy, as the film’s lead character - Reza the Lizard - revels in the privileges and power his clerical robes bring him. Eventually he captivates his congregation’s imagination by his simplicity and brings worshippers flocking back to the mosques. |
| Posted by:Mike Sylwester |
| #5 "One wonders if they're so insecure in their beliefs that they won't allow it to be questioned, because they know that if it turns out to be untrue, their entire world falls apart?" http://www.prophetofdoom.net |
| Posted by: Anonymous4885 2004-05-17 9:03:10 AM |
| #4 Convicted criminal dressing up as a mullah . . . funny thing, that; I figured it was the norm. Something our society does very well is force us to be confident in our own beliefs, because free speech allows us to criticize others. If you can't do that, you can't hope to progress. And that's partially why the Islamic world has fallen behind. One wonders if they're so insecure in their beliefs that they won't allow it to be questioned, because they know that if it turns out to be untrue, their entire world falls apart? |
| Posted by: The Doctor 2004-05-16 6:09:49 PM |
| #3 Actually, the movie is about a mullah who disguises himself as a convicted criminal, and goes out among the people, robbing the rich and giving to Actually, it started out as a reality show, and then the plot ran away from its creators....And then.... |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2004-05-16 6:00:56 PM |
| #2 Well, let's see... movie about a "lizard," check. Closed expensive airport, Just Like Denver's... check. (Haven't been able to check it for creepy artwork). Flying saucer sightings... check. Am I missing anything? |
| Posted by: Phil Fraering 2004-05-16 2:58:45 PM |
| #1 The airport problem and this movie make me think maybe Charles Johnson making his move. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-05-16 10:43:30 AM |