The Last Temptation of Christ (film)
Artist: Martin Scorsese
Year: 1980-1990
Date of Action:
Region: Europe
Subject:
Medium: Film Video
Confronting Bodies:
Description of Artwork: Cinema
The Incident: In 1988 a Catholic extremist group in France set fire to a movie theatre during the screening The Last Temptation of Christ, protesting “anti-Christian racism”
Results of Incident: Not provided yet.
Source:
• https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1988/11/09/461888.html?pageNumber=6
Date: 1988
Region: North America
Subject: Religion
Medium: Film Video
Artist: Martin Scorsese
Confronting Bodies: Various Christian groups
Dates of Action: 1988
Location: No specific location
Description of Artwork: The Last Temptation of Christ is an adaption of the novel by Nikos Kazantzakis. It is a portrayal of a Jesus who was plagued by doubts and fears about being the son of God. The portion of the film that proved to be the most controversial was during the eponymous last temptation while Christ was on the cross. The viewer would watch him come off the cross, marry Mary Magdalene, start a family with Mary and Martha (Lazarus's sisters), and die an old man. However, that sequence was just a temptation, and Jesus ends dying on the cross.
The Incident: The film was met with a wave of displeasure from many groups. A French Christian fundamentalist group through Molotov cocktails at a theater in Paris to protest the film. It was banned in several countries, such as Turkey, Chile, Argentina, and Mexico.
Results of Incident: The film has become more accepted as people started to realize the real message of the movie. Many countries that banned it lifted the ban. Also, many Christian groups have accepted the film and even agreed with its portrayal. However, the film remains banned in Singapore and the Philippines.
Source: Release Information