China pulls The Da Vinci Code

09-06-2006 14:20

China has pulled 'The Da Vinci Code' from cinemas.The film is no longer being shown in the country but officials deny the move is due to the blockbuster's controversial religious storyline.Cyrus Man, a marketing executive with Edko Films Company, said: "They are transferring some films from the China market to other territories in Asia. It is mainly a business decision." UME Shanghai cinemas claim they have been told the film was "no longer permitted to be shown".Like the book, 'The Da Vinci Code' film has sparked controversy all over the world and has already been banned in Belarus, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and five of India's 25 states.The plot concerns an alleged conspiracy by the Catholic Church to hide the marriage of Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene and the child they had together.Religious groups have called the film "blasphemous" and have urged audiences not to see the movie or read the book.

Liu Bainian, vice president of the China Catholic Patriotic Association, fumed: "The movie has many details that go against Catholic teachings or are even insulting."

However, millions of people have ignored the protests, with the film already taking $231.8 million dollars in its opening weekends - the second-biggest film debut in cinema history.