“Noah” Meets Stormy Religious Opposition
The Independent: ‘”Noah,” the $125m blockbuster starring Russell Crowe,[which is] described by its director as the “least biblical biblical film ever made,” is having to navigate choppy waters as religious groups raise opposition to the adaptation while some countries have already banned it. The epic retelling of the biblical flood story was a gruelling shoot, with filming having to be postponed when the set was threatened by Hurricane Sandy. Director Darren Aronofsky also had to battle with studio heads over the final cut. Now it faces further issues as Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have banned the film with Egypt, Jordan and Kuwait expected to follow suit. The Muslim countries are furious over the movie’s portrayal of a prophet, saying it “contradicts the teachings of Islam.”‘ Sort of makes you want to see the picture, doesn’t it?
