Showing 5 results for the tag: Kostas Gavras.

August 10, 2009

Video depicting the iconoclasm on the Parthenon escapes censorship

Posted at 12:52 pm in Acropolis, Greece Archaeology, New Acropolis Museum

More coverage of the reversal of the original decision to censor depictions of the iconoclasm from a short fim about the history of the Athenian Acropolis which is on display in the New Acropolis Museum.

From:
Agence France-Presse

Agence France-Presse – 8/4/2009 4:02 PM GMT
Acropolis Museum backs down in Parthenon video row

Greece’s new Acropolis Museum on Tuesday said it will undo controversial editing of a video showing the Parthenon temple vandalised by early Christians in a row that has sparked complaints of Church-backed censorship.

The video will be restored after its maker, renowned French-Greek filmaker Costa-Gavras, said he meant to attach no blame to Christian priests for the destruction, museum director Dimitris Pantermalis said.
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Film depiction of iconoclasm on the Athenian Acropolis will not be censored

Posted at 12:46 pm in Elgin Marbles, Greece Archaeology, New Acropolis Museum

Following coverage of the decision to censor parts of a film on show in the New Acropolis Museum, it now appears that the decision has been reached that for the time being, the film can continue to be shown in its original un-edited version.

From:
Deutsche Presse Agentur

Acropolis Museum decides to leave film of priests hacking Acropolis
Europe News
Aug 5, 2009, 10:52 GMT

Athens – The new Acropolis Museum decided to leave a short film, depicting long-robed Christians hacking away at the Acropolis, uncut despite angry protests by the powerful Greek Orthodox Church, reports said Wednesday.

Just weeks after its opening, the new museum released an informative short film to visitors about the history of the 5th century BC Parthenon temple which shows figures in long robes hacking away at the monument.
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New Acropolis Museum accused of censoring iconoclasm from film

Posted at 12:40 pm in Acropolis, Greece Archaeology, New Acropolis Museum

More coverage of the removal of depictions of the iconoclasm from a film on display in the New Acropolis Museum.

From:
Agence France Presse

Acropolis Museum accused of muzzling filmmaker
(AFP) – 20 hours ago

ATHENS — A rights group has accused Greece’s new Acropolis Museum of censoring a video that shows early Christians vandalising antiquities after complaints attributed to the country’s Orthodox Church.

The Greek section of the Helsinki Monitor (GHM) on human rights on Monday said it had filed an injunction application against the museum, demanding that the video by prominent French filmmaker Costa-Gavras be restored in full.
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July 27, 2009

Record of iconoclasm cut from video in New Acropolis Museum

Posted at 1:13 pm in Elgin Marbles, Greece Archaeology, New Acropolis Museum

Following their complaints about the depiction or priests damaging sculptures on the Parthenon in a video on show at the New Acropolis Museum, the Greek Orthodox church has been successful in getting these scenes removed from the film.

The original video can still be seen here.

From:
New York Times

Scene Cut From Athens Museum Film After Protests
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: July 25, 2009

Filed at 5:48 p.m. ET

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A scene from an animated film shown to visitors at the new Acropolis Museum that depicts Christian priests destroying parts of the Parthenon has been deleted following protests by the Greek Orthodox Church.

The creator of the segment, Greek-born French filmmaker Constantin Costa-Gavras, has demanded that his name be taken off the film credits in protest.
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Video in New Acropolis Museum angers Greek Orthodox church

Posted at 12:54 pm in Elgin Marbles, Greece Archaeology, New Acropolis Museum

Greece’s Orthodox Church has complained about the content of a video about the history of the Parthenon, on display in the New Acropolis Museum. They want the removal of sections showing priests destroying some of the monuments sculptures in the eighth century AD.

Whilst the church leaders may object to this clip within the video, its depiction of the iconoclasm is based on evidence of what actually happened. Surely blocking things like this to revise history merely amounts to censorship, in much the same was as the priests then were trying to censor the pagan sculptures on the buildings. A far better way of dealing with it would be to actually explain in detail why things happened the way that they did then, followed by the reasons why we have moved on from that now & that such practises would no longer be condoned.

From:
GR Reporter

New Acropolis Musem aggravates the Church
24 July 2009

The Greek Orthodox Church has reportedly become angry with administration of the new Acropolis Museum. The grudge is caused by a 13-minute documentary, projected in one of the halls of the museum, which shows, using digital animation, a group of priests in robes destroying sculptures of the Parthenon in the VIII century AD. Interestingly enough, creator of the documentary is the world-famous Greek director Kostas Gavras. The film itself dates back to 2004 and has been shown in front of a big audience at the New York Cultural Olympics, organized during the summer Olympic games of 2004.

The film is devoted to the legendary Athenian chief Pericles and his urban plans. It’s precisely the period under Pericles when the Parthenon has been built on the hill of the Acropolis. The director spends too much time unfolding the temple’s decorations, and only briefly describes the events in the 25 centurial history since it was first built. The first disaster to befall the temple was a big fire in 267 B.C. Next is the early Christian period, which damages a number of the ancient Greek cultural monuments, including the Parthenon which is turned into a church. Other historic events are also visited by Gavras – during the fourth Crusade, the Parthenon is converted into a Roman church. Also in 1458, when the Turks conquer Athens, it is turned into a Muslim mosque. The marble structures, which lord Elgin takes to Britain are also mentioned.
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