Recently, one of our ‘not so honourable’ members of parliament purposely asked the PM whether the ‘Da Vinci code’ film would be shown in Mauritius without any prior consultation with the Church. Clearly, he wanted it either banned or censored on the basis of not hurting religious sensibilities in Mauritius. Whatever that means!
Yesterday, the film was also at the centre of a debate on Radio One. The guests were the president of the Censorship board, a theatre owner and a priest. I heard only parts of the show but my general impression was one of beating about the bush… as is often the case here.
What these people have forgot to mention is that this is a film that, according to the critics, is not even worth watching. So, raising debates about it is in fact serving the producers’ interests: it can only arouse curiosity and have more people watch it than it deserves, thereby helping turn it into a commercial hit.
A disappointing book
Anyway, I didn’t see the movie but I did read the book. And I wasn’t particularly impressed. The first 70% are OK but the rest is absolute crap with a hasty finish and loose ends. I was very disappointed after having heard so much about it. I’d rather read Asimov or even a simple but solid Agatha Christie book. Even Harry Potter stories are much more finely written.
Immoral Bollywood
Also, to come back to the issue of how the film could have a negative influence on people (!), shouldn’t we be taking some time to look at the content of those Bollywood films that are shown on MBC early in the evening and that attract large audiences in our movie theatres? Those are full of almost-nude actresses dancing erotically with extremely voyeuristic shots! And the scenes of violence are so apalling! Plus should I mention the lack of morality and indecency of those lavish backgrounds in which those perfect bodies evolve?
And what about those very popular serials like Tulsi, Sindoor and Muneca Brava? Absolute sh..
I’m sick and tired of the hypocrisy and double standards. Our children are watching films and serials that do not help them understand and face the real world at all, that are intellectually poor and are completely immoral.
Talk about blinding the people!
Hi,
I totally agree with you… except one thing: the Da Vinci Code book… les gouts et les couleurs ne se discuttent pas certes… but for me the book is simply a master piece… because of it’s factuality… and the repercussions and consequences that the story may have in the future… Dan Brown is a genius…
I totally agree about your views on the movie and on the senseless debate that the polico-religio-psycho mp has made…
It’s a weird weird world after all…
Yeah it’s true, sometimes Mauritius is full of sh…
Viva Maria Magdalene… 😉
Of course you’re entitled to your ‘gouts et couleurs’. I don’t dispute that…
I’m not too sure about the repercussions and consequences though.
The Jesus-Maria Magdalene liaison is not new though. There was a film made by Martin Scorcese called ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’ which evoked the liaison (based on a novel by Nikos Katzantzakis) and it created a very big scandal at the time… all completely forgotten now…
I just stepped on your blog post and I appreciate the fact that you point out the adverse effects such Indian movies and serials could have on our children and youth.
One can’t turn a blind eye since it’s already ‘killing’ our youth esp the way they dress, the way they act with their ‘loved ones’ in public and also their attitude towards their parents.What about the whole Mauritian family from grandpa to the toddler staring at ‘skin’ flicks and erotic parades (2hrs+ long)?
Also, I’ve read a lot of Internet posts regarding Indian movies’ high esteem for slightly European-looking actors/actresses these days and I do not know if you can share your views about it. I am no racist or skin-conscious bigot but portraying fair-coloured actors in Bollywood and serials like KSBKBT(aka Toolsi) and esp Sindoor(notice the very high contrast to make everyone appear ghostly white) is undoubtedly having disparaging effects on our youth, as if fair is better and so should be the case in Mauritius.
Yes, you’re quite right. Those serials have a heavy tendency to reinforce the ‘fair skin complex’. It is very rare to see positive first roles attributed to dark-skinned people in Bollywood movies and serials and, even so, they’ll use all the tricks of photography to make them ‘whiter than white’.
Have you noticed the sheer number of adverts for cosmetics to make you fair/clear/white on the local market? I’ve even heard some women literally risked their skin for this whitening effect as they either burned their skin with javel-based products or got dermatological problems.
But what irritates me most in those films and serials is not the fact that we see half-nude people, or fair-skinned cos one could argue that this is case for all films across the world.
What bothers me most is that these films are empty shells that are devoured ‘treize a la douzaine’ by people to the exclsuion of any other artistic or cultural form. This is true intellectual, cultural and social poverty….
Hi! Just stumbled on your blog and just wanted to recommend reading Angels & Demons, also by Dan Brown, if ever you have not read it. it’s perhaps a question of taste but i find it way above Da Vinci Code, and sincerely hope they do not decide to make a film out of it…and even if you end up not liking it..well, i don’t think chewing any book can do any harm =)
cheers