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French jews failed to get passion banned { March 29 2004 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=484949§ion=news http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=484949§ion=news French Jews fail to get "Passion" film banned Mon 29 March, 2004 15:25 By Tom Heneghan PARIS (Reuters) - A bid by three Jewish brothers to have Mel Gibson's controversial film "The Passion of The Christ" banned in France as anti-Semitic has failed after a Paris court found no reason to stop its premiere this week. The court said Patrick, Jean-Marc and Gerard Benlolo had not proven the film would incite anti-Semitism in a country that has been struggling against a resurgence of violence against Jews and their property for the past three years. "The film in question, which is a very realistic adaptation of the final hours of Christ's life, cannot be considered an incitement to hatred and violence against Jews or an affront to their dignity and security," the ruling on Monday read. "Making Jesus's death the main motive for anti-Semitism and age-old persecutions of Jews would amount to a narrow and simplistic view of Mel Gibson's film," it added. Jewish critics in the United States, where the movie opened last month, have charged the film unjustly portrayed Jews as Christ's killers, but this appeared to be the first attempt anywhere to ban it. The film is due to open in France on Wednesday. The Benlolo brothers presented their case at a hastily called court hearing on Friday after they, judge Florence Lagemi and lawyers for distributor Quinta Communications had seen the film in a special private screening. Lagemi said in her ruling the film reflected Biblical texts accurately and presented Christ's crucifixion under Roman governor Pontius Pilate in a way that could not rationally be interpreted as showing Jewish guilt and rationalising pogroms. The dossier the brothers submitted to support their request was riddled with legal errors and crammed with quotes from U.S. movie reviews, which Lagemi said the court could not accept. In an emotional appeal, Patrick Benlolo, a doctor, said he and his businessmen brothers felt obliged as Jews to take a stand against the film. "There is so much violent anti-Semitism in Europe that we cannot let this happen," he said. The brothers said they would appeal the ruling. The distributor urged the judge on Friday to throw out the case because the brothers could not use their religion as the basis for a complaint. Its lawyer also argued they did not show how the film could cause public disorder. The film, which in the United States has raked in $315 million in five weeks, has met heavy criticism from the Catholic Church in France before its premiere here on Wednesday. Paris Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, who was born Jewish and converted as a teenager, denounced the film's violence.

Adl attacks gibson film { July 22 2003 } Adl concern gibson film { August 11 2003 } Adl stance on passion questioned { November 14 2003 } Critics apologise to mel Film distributed independently europe { October 10 2003 } Fox doesnt want gibson film { August 30 2003 } French jews failed to get passion banned { March 29 2004 } Furor just before gibson passion opens Gibson breaks hollywood 10 commands { March 17 2004 } Gibson spewing anti semitism Gibson to delete a scene in passion { February 4 2004 } Gibsons passion hit among arabs { April 4 2004 } Jewish leaders condemn gibson films depiction of jews { January 22 2004 } Lightning strikes gibsons christ Mel gibson movie causes stir { August 2 2003 } Mel gibsons father says holocaust was exaggerated { February 19 2004 } Mostile mood awaits gibson passion in france Passion a hit in beirut damascus Passion gets special treatment in egypt { April 1 2004 } Passion returns to box office for easter Passion works miracles at box office { March 30 2004 } Pastor creates furor with sign blaming jews { February 26 2004 } Pope dod not endorse movie says aide Pope says it is as it was { December 17 2003 } Vatican thumbs up Weary french get film distribution thanks to arab { March 2 2004 } Who killed jesus Will hollywood snub passion or fahrenheit 911 Files Listed: 28

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