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Kirk rejects boycott calls for Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' film, and publishes leaflet to mark its release

The Church of Scotland is looking forward to a major cinematic event this winter. The film adaptation of the first book in Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” fantasy trilogy is set for general release in the UK on 5 December.

The film in question, "The Golden Compass", is an adaptation of the book published in the UK as "Northern Lights" and is set to star Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig.

There have been calls from some sections of the Christian community for the film to be boycotted because of its attacks on organised Christianity. However, the Kirk's Mission & Discipleship Council takes the opposite view, and believes that the film provides a golden opportunity to stimulate discussion on a wide range of moral and spiritual issues.

As a trilogy, the books present the struggle between good and evil as an adventure story featuring a streetwise girl as heroine. Lyra Silvertongue is a subversive figure, one of the powerless who turns out to be a saint, and so the film is an invitation to dialogue on human purpose and destiny, the abuse of power, the making of choices and the meaning of life.

Far from boycotting the film, the Church of Scotland is set to publish a leaflet to mark its release. This leaflet will be made available to C of S congregations, and other denominations, the length and breadth of Scotland. The Kirk's Mission & Discipleship Council believes that "The Golden Compass" will enable congregations to engage with young people, and adults, in terms with which they can relate.

So, far from condemning the film, the Kirk looks forward to its release and the opportunities that it presents.

Ends.

Note to newsdesks

nr/119/11/07

Thursday 29, November 2007

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