Chinese Studies - "Da Vinci Code" under investigation in Italy

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"Da Vinci Code" under investigation in Italy

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-06-19 09:41









The cryptex from the movie 'The Da Vinci Code' is displayed at Chicago's
Museum of Science and Industry May 18, 2006. More than a year after its
premiere, 'The Da Vinci Code' is being investigated by Italian state
attorneys on the grounds that it is 'obscene' from a religious
perspective. [Reuters]



TAORMINA, Italy (Hollywood Reporter) - More than a year after its
premiere, "The Da Vinci Code" is being investigated by Italian state
attorneys on the grounds that it is "obscene" from a religious
perspective.

Earlier this year, a complaint against the film was filed by a group of
clergy near the Italian village of Civitavecchia, where the state
prosecutor's office said it would open a criminal investigation into the
film. The complaint says the film violates Article 528 of Italy's Penal
Code.

The complaint names 10 people, including director Ron Howard and author
Dan Brown.

The investigation means the case will have its day in court in the
seaside port village about 40 miles north of Rome, though a judge could
elect to throw out the charges. But it is significant that the state
prosecutor agreed to investigate it.

It is unclear what the unnamed complainants -- reported by the state
prosecutor to be Catholic clergy from the area -- are seeking.

Under the terms of Article 528 of the Penal Code, if found guilty the
defendants will have a criminal record in Italy and would each face jail
time of at least three months and fines of at least 103 euros ($139).
Jail time is capped at three years, but there is no upward limit on the
fines, legal experts said. The defendants cannot be extradited for the
charges, but they can be apprehended if they are already on Italian soil.

The development comes as Howard is beginning preproduction work here on
"Angels and Demons," the highly awaited sequel to "Da Vinci," also
authored by Brown.

Asked why the case is being opened now, some 13 months after the film
debuted at least year's Cannes Film Festival, an official at the
Civitavecchia state prosecutor said he wasn't sure.

"I don't know," the official said in a telephone interview. "Maybe they
(the clergy who filed the complaint) have just seen the film."

Both the book and film version of "Da Vinci" attracted widespread
criticism from religious groups, but this appears to be the first time
parties have taken legal action against the work.








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