Charles Darwin film 'too controversial for religious America' - Telegraph

Brunsell 's personal annotations on this page

Brunsell bookmarked on 2009-09-13

Charles Darwin film 'too controversial for religious America'
Movieguide.org, an influential site which reviews films from a Christian
perspective, described Darwin as the father of eugenics and denounced him as "a
racist, a bigot and an 1800s naturalist whose legacy is mass murder".
His "half-baked theory" directly influenced Adolf Hitler and led
to "atrocities, crimes against humanity, cloning and genetic engineering",
the site stated.
That's what we're up against. In 2009. It's amazing," he said.
"Charles Darwin is, I suppose, the hero of the film. But we tried to make
the film in a very even-handed way. Darwin wasn't saying 'kill all
religion', he never said such a thing, but he is a totem for people."
Early reviews have raved about the film. The Hollywood Reporter said: "It
would be a great shame if those with religious convictions spurned the film
out of hand as they will find it even-handed and wise."

This link has been bookmarked by 11 people . It was first bookmarked on 12 Sep 2009, by Adam Kenner.

22 Sep 09

Ed Webb
darwin evolution film religion USA UK fundamentalism
- A British film about Charles Darwin has failed to find a US distributor
  because his theory of evolution is too controversial for American audiences,
  according to its producer.
- Creation was developed by BBC Films and the UK Film Council, and stars
  Bettany's real-life wife Jennifer Connelly as Darwin's deeply religious
  wife, Emma. It is based on the book, Annie's Box, by Darwin's
  great-great-grandson, Randal Keynes, and portrays the naturalist as a family
  man tormented by the death in 1851 of Annie, his favourite child. She is
  played in the film by 10-year-old newcomer Martha West, the daughter of The
  Wire star Dominic West.
- 1 more annotations...
- - I'm surprised that only a few commenters have pointed out that this article is rather poor, lazy journalism.
    
    The reporter provides absolutely no evidence that religious controversy is the main reason the film failed to find a US distributor. The article is be built solely around a few quotes by a producer prone to sweeping generalizations (Religion rules outside of NY/LA?? The highest concentration of non-believers are actually in the Northwest and New England, not NY or LA, according to the Census Bureau!)
    
    Some American Christianist websites are quoted, but there is no indication that these sites had any influence on distributors. This seems more like an attempt at guilt by association.
    
    I can't say whether the producer is right. Maybe he is, or maybe they've just done a poor job marketing the film in the US so far. Either way it will be a shame if this film isn't shown here. What is clear is that this article desperately needs an editor.
15 Sep 09

walkure tang
religion
Jovan Maud
In a sharp reminder of the disparities between USA and, well, virtually everywhere else about religion, a new film about Charles Darwin has failed to find a US distributor.

evolution film
14 Sep 09

Colby Vorland
Darwin evolution
Richard Landsman
darwin evoltion creaation
13 Sep 09

Mike Mojo
A British film about Charles Darwin has failed to find a US distributor because his theory of evolution is too controversial for American audiences, according to its producer.

american audiences charles darwin religious america theory of evolution producer british film
Brunsell
- Charles Darwin film 'too controversial for religious America'
- Movieguide.org, an influential site which reviews films from a Christian
  perspective, described Darwin as the father of eugenics and denounced him as "a
  racist, a bigot and an 1800s naturalist whose legacy is mass murder".
  His "half-baked theory" directly influenced Adolf Hitler and led
  to "atrocities, crimes against humanity, cloning and genetic engineering",
  the site stated.
- 3 more annotations...
- - That's what we're up against. In 2009. It's amazing," he said.
  - "Charles Darwin is, I suppose, the hero of the film. But we tried to make
    the film in a very even-handed way. Darwin wasn't saying 'kill all
    religion', he never said such a thing, but he is a totem for people."
  - Early reviews have raved about the film. The Hollywood Reporter said: "It
    would be a great shame if those with religious convictions spurned the film
    out of hand as they will find it even-handed and wise."
wwessellsjr
Film on Darwin, "Creation" and not being shown in the U.S.
12 Sep 09

Adam Kenner
A British film about Charles Darwin has failed to find a US distributor because his theory of evolution is too controversial for American audiences, according to its producer.

"...ACCORDING TO ITS PRODUCER." Is this a realistic scenario? Perhaps an attempt to provoke offers or start a bidding war for US distribution rights for this film?

media culture darwin film religion evolution marketing