The current edition of Big Issue Scotland features an article about the religious aspects and impacts of the upcoming Golden Compass movie. However, the article is something of a rarity, covering not the controversy, nor the opponents of the film (e.g. The Catholic League) – rather it discusses the themes of atheism within the books and film and whether they are appropriate for a Christmas movie.
The scientist, God denier and friend of Philip Pullman, Richard Dawkins, is quoted as saying
“Censoring a story like this is completely deplorable. I think it’s pathetic to change a story just to suit religious sensitivities.”
The article also features input from the president of the national secular society, Terry Sanderson, who argues that despite the lack of religion found in the movie, it will promote Pullman’s values as people are driven to read the novels.
Perhaps most interestingly, are a number of quotations from Richard F. Holloway, the retired Bishop of Edinburgh and current head of the Scottish Arts Council (and was paired with Pullman for a book a festival debate a couple of years ago). The highlight of the article is his response to ‘all the fuss’ surrounding the movie:
“I don’t think God’s that bothered to tell you the truth.”
To read the article in full, click on the thumbnails below.
The clothing store GAP is offering the chance to one child in the UK, aged between 7 and 13, to win a day on set in the UK during the shooting of The Subtle Knife movie, including a ‘walk on part’ as an extra, although the part will be non-speaking.
To apply, you need to visit your closest GAP store and pick up an application form (click on thumbnails below to enlarge images of application form), and describe in 50 words or less why you would like to win. The deadline for applications (which must be left in store) is December 22nd. 20 applicants will shortlisted and asked to submit an audition tape during early 2008, after which a winner will be selected. The prize includes standard class return train travel from the winner’s nearest train station and two nights hotel accommodation, for both the winner and their parent or guardian.
GAP does not guarantee that the ‘walk on’ will make the final cut, and have anticipated the possibility of no movie being made with the statement that there will be an alternative prize (a trip to Los Angeles to record a screen test) if the movie does not go into production before March 2009.
Last weekend’s Sunday Times featured in its travel section an article entitled Lyra’s Oxford, which previews scheduled tours of Oxford run by the tourist information centre through Lyra and Philip Pullman’s Oxford. The tour which lasts around two hours, takes in many of the landmarks featured in His Dark Materials, from the Pitt-Rivers museum, to the Botanic Gardens. Tours will take place on June 13th, July 25th and September 5th next year (with further dates added if demanded), with tickets priced at 7.50GBP per person. You can read the article in full and find more information here.
Of course, it isn’t always necessary to join an organised tour – you could always do your own, as writer Ann Giles did last July. You can read her own account of her ‘Materials day out’ here.
