Ideologiekritik & Film 5: Das Leben des Brian

I let you pray, you let me laugh
Good Friday is a "silent holiday". According to the law, in order to protect religious feelings and moral sensibilities, no public events for entertainment purposes may take place: No theater, no music, no exhibition, no lecture, no dance, no party, no sport, no cinema film.
There is an explicit public screening ban for over 700 films. In addition to "Heidi", "Mary Poppins", "Feuerzangenbowle" and "Ghostbusters", this long list naturally also includes the Monty Python classic "The Life of Brian".
Fewer and fewer people are prepared to accept the state-imposed special privileges of the church, as there are now more non-denominational people in Germany than church members.
In a pluralistic, secular, open society and an ideologically neutral state, the following should therefore apply: I let you pray, you let me laugh.
As a political sign and in recognition of the fact that the majority of Düsseldorf's urban population has long since ceased to belong to any Christian church (22% Catholics and 12% Protestants), we are therefore showing "The Life of Brian" on Good Friday at 2 pm in the Metropol Cinema. Admission is free.
Click here to reserve a seat (click)

The life of Brian
The film "The Life of Brian" is a satire on the dogmatism of religious and political groups. After its release, it sparked fierce protests, especially from Christian, but also Jewish organizations. In several countries, including the USA, the UK and Norway, there were boycotts and bans on screenings, triggering a broad debate about freedom of expression and blasphemy. Although the accusation of blasphemy was largely refuted, the film remains controversial for some Christians and is seen as an example of the tension between artistic freedom and religious freedom.
At the center of the plot is Brian, who is born on the same night as Jesus in a neighboring stable and grows up as the son of a Jewish woman and a Roman soldier. As a young man, he falls in love with Judith and joins the resistance group "Popular Front of Judea" out of love. A chaotic kidnapping attempt in Pontius Pilate's palace fails, and Brian only just manages to escape captivity. After a series of absurd incidents, people mistakenly believe him to be a messiah and follow him fanatically. Despite his attempts to distance himself from this role, Brian is once again captured by the Romans and sentenced to death on a cross. At the end, he sings the song "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" together with other crucified people.

With a short introduction before the movie.
Click here to reserve a seat (click)