Sydney protest against film

Press, 12 June 1986, Page 32

Sydney protest against film

NZPA-Reuter Sydney Angry Christians clashed with cinema patrons and police in an unsuccessful bid to halt the Sydney premiere of a controversial French film which portrays the Virgin Mary as a petrol station attendant. The police said four men and a woman were arrested for assaulting the police, offensive behaviour, and resisting arrest as dozens of protesters attempted to block entry to the State Theatre. Christian groups claim the Jean Luc Godard film, “Je Vous Salue Marie” (Hail Mary), is blasphemous and pornographic. Bomb threats were also

made and protesters threatened to burn down the theatre, the police said. Italian Catholics, Lebanese Maronites and evangelist groups are among those upset at the Virgin Mary’s portrayal as the petrol station attendant and Joseph as a taxidriver. The film is the centrepiece of the Sydney film festival and will go on general circulation with a restricted censorship rating. The festival director, Rod Webb, said it would not be withdrawn because of what he termed a small band whipped up by a hysterical campaign.