It has to be the heat. Or perhaps the humidity. Or a combination of both that sends emotional quotients haywire. What else could explain the controversy in India over the release of a movie based on the book that has supposedly sold the largest number of copies worldwide, after the Bible?
Despite the Vatican’s objections, in the heart of Roman Catholic Paris, the anticipation before the show was to do with who could elbow their way in soonest, to be able to grab the best seats in the hall located in the heart of the Champs Elysées, right next to the Lido. Comfortably ensconced in the hall, chomping on popcorn, the first day crowd that had shoved its way in to watch the Da Vinci Code appeared at peace with the world. And when, towards the movie’s climax, a very wooden Tom Hanks says to Audrey Tautou, ‘so you’re the only living descendant of Jesus Christ,’ people collapsed all over their seats in laughter. Could it be the cool 21 degrees outside that helped everyone keep their calm and retain perspective?
No one felt their faith had been breached. The French, who pride themselves on their secularism, ‘La Icite’, are personally deeply religious. The French capital is dotted with magnificent churches, thronging with people, not just tourists. Also the stunning church named after Mary Magdalene, (La Madeleine) around whom the entire controversy of Dan Brown’s book revolves.
{{/usCountry}}No one felt their faith had been breached. The French, who pride themselves on their secularism, ‘La Icite’, are personally deeply religious. The French capital is dotted with magnificent churches, thronging with people, not just tourists. Also the stunning church named after Mary Magdalene, (La Madeleine) around whom the entire controversy of Dan Brown’s book revolves.
{{/usCountry}}Far away in India, states are banning the movie. Begun with Goa and Punjab, followed more leisurely by Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu and Andhra, all have refused to air the movie.
How could Jesus Christ marry, ask doubting Indian Catholics? Remarkably like the Forward Bloc’s refusal to accept that ‘Netaji’ Subhash Chandra Bose could ever marry and father a child, even though that was recent, documented history. Gods, after all, cannot be human.
At the Saint Sulpice church, vandalised by the albino monk in the movie because of what lies under the ‘Rose Line,’ (or so he thinks), curious visitors are looking for the signs. The church, is being renovated, and they are planning a special tour of the sites that featured in the movie. When asked, the Sister-Superieur said, “it is the way of the Lord.” I was, of course, referring to the way of the rose line, but she seemed satisfied with the interest.
She probably realises, like most of Paris, that God sells — the Louvre has a Da Vinci Code tour worth 10 euros, with breathless Americans and Japanese carrying copies of the book traipsing around the museum with earphones and in fervent consulting their guides. Or she enjoys a murder mystery on a cool summer day.