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Some IMAX theaters not screening volcanoes flick
Associated Press
The IMAX theaters in Myrtle Beach, Charleston and several others in the South have passed on showing a science film on volcanoes because of concerns it might offend those with fundamental religious beliefs.
"We've got to pick a film that's going to sell in our area. If it's not going to sell, we're not going to take it," said Lisa Buzzelli, director of the IMAX theater in Charleston. "Many people here believe in creationism, not evolution."
Buzzelli said while the Charleston theater doesn't rule out showing "Volcanoes of the Deep Sea" in the future, she considers people's religious views when showing films.
The film makes a connection between human DNA and microbes inside undersea volcanoes. Buzzelli said the handling of evolution was considered in her decision.
IMAX theaters in Texas, Georgia and the Carolinas have declined to show the film, said Pietro Serapiglia who handles distribution for Stephen Low, the film's director and producer who is from Montreal.
"I find it's only in the South," Serapiglia said.
Some people worry screening out such films will discourage filmmakers from making others in the future.
"It's going to restrain the creative approach by directors who refer to evolution," said Joe DeAmicis, vice president for marketing at the California Science Center in Los Angeles and a former director of an IMAX theater. "References to evolution will be dropped."
The IMAX Theatre in Myrtle Beach also decided against showing the film. The theater's director, Jerry Lennard, would not comment.
Some IMAX theaters are connected to science centers. Charleston's is next to the South Carolina Aquarium but has no formal relationship with the aquarium.
Whit McMillan, the aquarium's director of education, said while evolution is taught there, he didn't see a problem with the IMAX decision.
"They're a for-profit theater," he said. "It's basically none of my business."
Associated Press
The IMAX theaters in Myrtle Beach, Charleston and several others in the South have passed on showing a science film on volcanoes because of concerns it might offend those with fundamental religious beliefs.
"We've got to pick a film that's going to sell in our area. If it's not going to sell, we're not going to take it," said Lisa Buzzelli, director of the IMAX theater in Charleston. "Many people here believe in creationism, not evolution."
Buzzelli said while the Charleston theater doesn't rule out showing "Volcanoes of the Deep Sea" in the future, she considers people's religious views when showing films.
The film makes a connection between human DNA and microbes inside undersea volcanoes. Buzzelli said the handling of evolution was considered in her decision.
IMAX theaters in Texas, Georgia and the Carolinas have declined to show the film, said Pietro Serapiglia who handles distribution for Stephen Low, the film's director and producer who is from Montreal.
"I find it's only in the South," Serapiglia said.
Some people worry screening out such films will discourage filmmakers from making others in the future.
"It's going to restrain the creative approach by directors who refer to evolution," said Joe DeAmicis, vice president for marketing at the California Science Center in Los Angeles and a former director of an IMAX theater. "References to evolution will be dropped."
The IMAX Theatre in Myrtle Beach also decided against showing the film. The theater's director, Jerry Lennard, would not comment.
Some IMAX theaters are connected to science centers. Charleston's is next to the South Carolina Aquarium but has no formal relationship with the aquarium.
Whit McMillan, the aquarium's director of education, said while evolution is taught there, he didn't see a problem with the IMAX decision.
"They're a for-profit theater," he said. "It's basically none of my business."
I won't argue that the movie SHOULD be shown. It's the theatre's right to show or not show what they want to.
I just think it's a sad state of affairs when all references of "evolution" must be removed from a SCIENCE MOVIE just because of fear of a fundie backlash or boycott.
But can we begin bombing parts of the South yet?
So begin standard creationism vs evolution discussion.
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