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Cathedral defends screening The Wicker Man | Cathedral defends screening The Wicker Man |
(35 minutes later) | |
A cathedral has defended its decision to screen two films which include a graphic sex scene, full female nudity and a Pagan sacrifice. | A cathedral has defended its decision to screen two films which include a graphic sex scene, full female nudity and a Pagan sacrifice. |
Some Christians believe that showing horror film The Wicker Man and the thriller Don't Look Now at Derby Cathedral is inappropriate. | Some Christians believe that showing horror film The Wicker Man and the thriller Don't Look Now at Derby Cathedral is inappropriate. |
Wardens from other churches have called for the screenings to be cancelled. | Wardens from other churches have called for the screenings to be cancelled. |
However, the Dean said the films won't be "showing God anything that he hasn't seen before". | |
"They are actually really powerful stories about faith and doubt and some of the things people wrestle with," the Very Reverend Dr Stephen Hance said. | |
He added the cathedral was "for everybody" and it needed to serve a wide range of people in Derby. | |
"The first thing we're trying to do is open the cathedral to new people," he said. | |
"It doesn't just belong to the people who go to church; it certainly doesn't belong to me; it doesn't just belong to religious people. | "It doesn't just belong to the people who go to church; it certainly doesn't belong to me; it doesn't just belong to religious people. |
"This is Derby's cathedral and it needs to serve the needs of the people of Derby, as wide a range of the people of Derby as we possibly can." | "This is Derby's cathedral and it needs to serve the needs of the people of Derby, as wide a range of the people of Derby as we possibly can." |
Why are people objecting? | Why are people objecting? |
The Wicker Man, from 1973, centres on a devout Christian police officer who goes in search of a missing girl on an island where the inhabitants turn out to be practising paganism. | The Wicker Man, from 1973, centres on a devout Christian police officer who goes in search of a missing girl on an island where the inhabitants turn out to be practising paganism. |
It famously includes scenes in which Britt Ekland's character is shown dancing naked, and Edward Woodward's character is burned to death inside a giant wicker man. | It famously includes scenes in which Britt Ekland's character is shown dancing naked, and Edward Woodward's character is burned to death inside a giant wicker man. |
Don't Look Now, also from 1973, includes a graphic sex scene which was cut from the film by the BBC when it premiered on television. | Don't Look Now, also from 1973, includes a graphic sex scene which was cut from the film by the BBC when it premiered on television. |
Over the decades many observers have suggested that the leading actors, Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland, were having unsimulated sex, although Sutherland has always rejected this. | Over the decades many observers have suggested that the leading actors, Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland, were having unsimulated sex, although Sutherland has always rejected this. |
Steve Dunning, a church warden from within the diocese of Derby, said: "I just think it isn't appropriate to show these films in a place of worship that is consecrated and hallowed, and therefore it compromises the spiritual integrity of the cathedral. | Steve Dunning, a church warden from within the diocese of Derby, said: "I just think it isn't appropriate to show these films in a place of worship that is consecrated and hallowed, and therefore it compromises the spiritual integrity of the cathedral. |
"There is also a broader issue in terms of, why does the cathedral need to show films when there are multiplex cinemas in Derby?" | "There is also a broader issue in terms of, why does the cathedral need to show films when there are multiplex cinemas in Derby?" |
Kristin Simmons, a deputy warden from another church, said: "Derby Cathedral is a reflection of every parish church in Derbyshire. | Kristin Simmons, a deputy warden from another church, said: "Derby Cathedral is a reflection of every parish church in Derbyshire. |
"Of course the cathedral can and should be open and used for outside events, but they should not be adverse to the Christian perspective; the cathedral is primarily a place of worship. | "Of course the cathedral can and should be open and used for outside events, but they should not be adverse to the Christian perspective; the cathedral is primarily a place of worship. |
"One film depicts a human sacrifice of a Christian man who recites Psalm 23 and 'curses' people upon his death, and in the other, the protagonist is employed to restore a church building; it involves séances and communication with the dead and a very explicit sex scene. | "One film depicts a human sacrifice of a Christian man who recites Psalm 23 and 'curses' people upon his death, and in the other, the protagonist is employed to restore a church building; it involves séances and communication with the dead and a very explicit sex scene. |
"As someone else pointed out to me, Holy Communion will be celebrated nine hours later in the same seats." | "As someone else pointed out to me, Holy Communion will be celebrated nine hours later in the same seats." |
The films were chosen by Dr Alex Rock from the nearby Quad cinema, who is a member of the congregation himself. | The films were chosen by Dr Alex Rock from the nearby Quad cinema, who is a member of the congregation himself. |
"I have a really good relationship with Derby Cathedral and care about it a lot, and I thought this was a really good opportunity to stimulate discussion around the space itself and to kind of experience the space in a completely different light," he said. | "I have a really good relationship with Derby Cathedral and care about it a lot, and I thought this was a really good opportunity to stimulate discussion around the space itself and to kind of experience the space in a completely different light," he said. |
He described the films as "some of the greatest examples of British cinema that have ever been made". | He described the films as "some of the greatest examples of British cinema that have ever been made". |
"This programme is designed to celebrate the heritage of British cinema in a fantastic heritage space," Dr Rock added. | "This programme is designed to celebrate the heritage of British cinema in a fantastic heritage space," Dr Rock added. |
The films are part of a season of film screenings called Quad in Residence at Derby Cathedral, which begins on 7 September. | The films are part of a season of film screenings called Quad in Residence at Derby Cathedral, which begins on 7 September. |
Other films include Monty Python's Life of Brian, a religious satire telling the story of a man who is mistaken for Jesus, and which has itself sparked controversy in the past. | Other films include Monty Python's Life of Brian, a religious satire telling the story of a man who is mistaken for Jesus, and which has itself sparked controversy in the past. |
Sister Act, in which Whoopi Goldberg's character is forced to join a convent, is also being screened. | Sister Act, in which Whoopi Goldberg's character is forced to join a convent, is also being screened. |
Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. |