This, I think we all hope, is the last word on the insanity that has plagued a scene from Alexander. Here’s a quick summary of events to today:
- Alexander is released
- Rumours abound of gay scene being cut
- Announcement made to dissuade rumours
- 25 Greek Lawyers get together (non sexually) and begin suing for portraying Alexander as bisexual
- Film is due to be released in Greece
- Lawyers start proceedings to stop film from being shown
- Lawyers decide to stop all proceedings to go and see the movie
- Lawyers decide there’s nothing wrong with the movie and drop all action
That’s about it in a nutshell. Today, as reported in the Guardian, they’ve totally backed down and done a u-turn, again for any gatherings of Greek Lawyers out there, that statement contained no sexual innuendo against the Greeks.
…indicated late Thursday they had no plans to take legal action against the movie. The lawyers argue there is no historical evidence supporting claims that Alexander had male lovers and had threatened to go to court and ask that a disclaimer be shown before the filming warning audiences that it was not historically accurate. But after a special screening Friday, the group of 25 lawyers decided not to pursue legal options.
So we have to have a disclaimer against every movie that portraying historical figures to show that it is a movie and not accurate. I must admit then that this is concrete proof that the Scottish are the most intelligent race in the world, for we watched Braveheart and understood immediately that it wasn’t historically accurate, and indeed there was much public debate on the topic. However, the rest of the world can rest assured that 25 Greek Lawyers are looking out for your best interests…in the area of famous peoples sexuality at least.
“There is a kiss that can be interpreted in many ways, but we have avoided the worst” said Giannis Varnakas, one of the lawyers, after the screening. “Fortunately it was not what we had feared. The people can go and see the movie.”
“Avoided the worst”, “Not what we had feared”? Look, if you were that bent out of shape about the whole thing, why back down suddenly? It clearly depicts Alexander in that light so why not keep at it? Or has the publicity machine called time on this gaggle?
The lawyers insist that their protest is not aimed at homosexuals, but gay rights campaigners have condemned the lawyers’ campaign, contending it is a clear case of homophobia disguised as a quest for historical truth.
Dear me, what’s a spade? A spade. Correct answer. I really can’t be done with this, not only for the entire intolerance issue, which it is so clearly about, but also the idea of people censoring a piece of work that someone else has created. This should never be done unless the person who created it wants to. Sure, decency, etc should be upheld, and it is.
We have people like the BBFC in the UK who ensure that everything is certified or not, and any decision they make goes straight to the makers of the movie for them to understand the implications and do as they seem fit. They are never told to cut anything or change anything, the makers decide based on the certificate given. The BBFC rules are more relaxed than they ever have been, and now it is all in the hands of the filmmakers, not lawyers and groups of offended minorities with their own clear agendas.
Censorship angers me, it really does. Now let me rephrase that, censorship by third party or proxy angers me. If the Director wants to censor his film, then so be it, it’s happened many times before, and it is their right to do so. It’s their vision, their creation, no one elses. We hold the right and the amazingly under-used ability to switch off the TV, to tell our kids to go to bed, to leave the cinema, to not buy a ticket, to close a book, to turn away from someone speaking. You get the message.
As Jim Carey said introducing Eminem during an MTV Awards appearance:
…Ah, you know, he scares me, he scares me a little. Ummm, I’ve got to be honest, I enjoy his music, but he scares me. His lyrics are totally socially unacceptable, but you know what, I think if we just spend some time with our kids we’ll be okay.
…and there you have it. If you don’t like it, don’t go see it, and if your kids want to and they are of age, and you’re scared, let them. Don’t lecture them. Let people make up their own minds and let’s not let this world go politically correct mad or ignorant and intolerant. There is middle ground.
