This article originally appeared in
February 19, 2007
Opus Dei thanks 'Da Vinci Code'
By ERIC J. LYMAN
ROME --Opus Dei, the ultraconservative Catholic group demonized in last
year's hit film "The Da Vinci Code," is thankful to the U.S.-made blockbuster
for helping to make organization better known.
The Italian media reported Sunday that Giuseppe Corigliano, the head of
public information for Opus Dei in Italy, said that despite a negative
characterization of the organization the film was more of a positive light for
Opus Dei than a negative one. "We could denounce the film because it
depicted one of our members as an assassin," Corigliano is quoted as
saying. "Instead, we have only asked that at the end of the film there should
be a phrase stating that it is only fiction. 'The Da Vinci Code' did not please
us, but it at least drew the public's attention to our organization."
Corigliano made his comments while announcing plans for a big budget
film on the life of Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer, Opus Dei's founder, who
was named a saint by Pope John Paul II in 2002.
According to reports, producers Lux Vide have approached Antonio
Banderas and Robert De Niro about playing starring roles in the film.
Opus Dei -- Latin for "God's Work" -- operates in some 60 countries and has
some 85,000 members, who seek to incorporate religion into every day life.
Despite weak reviews, "The Da Vinci Code" was one of the most successful
films in recent years, raking in more than $800 million in global boxoffice
receipts.
By ERIC J. LYMAN
ROME --Opus Dei, the ultraconservative Catholic group demonized in last
year's hit film "The Da Vinci Code," is thankful to the U.S.-made blockbuster
for helping to make organization better known.
The Italian media reported Sunday that Giuseppe Corigliano, the head of
public information for Opus Dei in Italy, said that despite a negative
characterization of the organization the film was more of a positive light for
Opus Dei than a negative one. "We could denounce the film because it
depicted one of our members as an assassin," Corigliano is quoted as
saying. "Instead, we have only asked that at the end of the film there should
be a phrase stating that it is only fiction. 'The Da Vinci Code' did not please
us, but it at least drew the public's attention to our organization."
Corigliano made his comments while announcing plans for a big budget
film on the life of Jose Maria Escriva de Balaguer, Opus Dei's founder, who
was named a saint by Pope John Paul II in 2002.
According to reports, producers Lux Vide have approached Antonio
Banderas and Robert De Niro about playing starring roles in the film.
Opus Dei -- Latin for "God's Work" -- operates in some 60 countries and has
some 85,000 members, who seek to incorporate religion into every day life.
Despite weak reviews, "The Da Vinci Code" was one of the most successful
films in recent years, raking in more than $800 million in global boxoffice
receipts.
| (c) 2007 The Hollywood Reporter All rights reserved. |
| Volume 77; Number 9 |
| Volume 77; Number 9 |
October 26, 2007
Howard's 'Angels' ready
to fly
June 20, 2007
'Da Vinci' case dropped
June 19, 2007
'Da Vinci Code' under
investigation in Italy
February 19, 2007
Opus Dei thanks 'Da Vinci
Code'
May 24, 2006
Copycats follow 'Da Vinci'
May 17, 2006
Silent night for 'Da Vinci'
May 16, 2006
'Da Vinci' protests,
boycotts spread
April 26, 2006
'Code' cracked by clergy
Howard's 'Angels' ready
to fly
June 20, 2007
'Da Vinci' case dropped
June 19, 2007
'Da Vinci Code' under
investigation in Italy
February 19, 2007
Opus Dei thanks 'Da Vinci
Code'
May 24, 2006
Copycats follow 'Da Vinci'
May 17, 2006
Silent night for 'Da Vinci'
May 16, 2006
'Da Vinci' protests,
boycotts spread
April 26, 2006
'Code' cracked by clergy