Judge In Brazil Orders Netflix To Remove Jesus Parody
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Judge Orders Netflix To Remove Controversial Film
A Brazilian judge has ordered Netflix to stop airing a Christmas special that insinuates Jesus is gay.
Millions have signed an online petition for the film to be removed from Netflix.
The Portuguese-language satirical film is called "The First Temptation Of Christ," and is about Jesus coming home for his 30th birthday. In the film, Mary and Joseph have thrown a birthday party for Jesus. Jesus' friend Orlando hints that he and Jesus might have something going on.
The film, created by Porta dos Fundos, premiered in Brazil on Dec. 3.
Comedy Makes Claim Jesus Is Gay
At one point in the 46-minute movie, when Jesus takes Orlando to meet his family, and when they ask where Jesus knows Orlando from, he says "the desert."
Then, according to Sky News:
"Orlando later plays a keyboard and sings a song which includes lyrics such as: "God is so good, He created the world in seven days. And after a little while, He drowned his creation."
Ruling Contradicts Earlier One
The new ruling was brought down by Rio de Janeiro judge Benedicto Abicair, and was apparently in response to a Catholic group in Brazil that said "the honor of millions of Catholics" was being affected by the Netflix special.
Abicair said the withdrawal of the movie “is beneficial not only to the Christian community, but to Brazilian society which is mostly Christian.”
The judge's ruling contradicts an earlier ruling which rejected censorship of the movie. Either way, it remains valid until another court order comes through.
Company Says It's 'Artistic Freedom'
Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has also come under fire amid claims he's fomenting a "cultural war," since funding there has been cut for artistic projects that oppose "Christian values."
On Dec. 24, Porta dos Fundos' headquarters was bombed with Molotov cocktails as a result of the backlash from the company's film.
Porta dos Fundos released this statement before the Dec. 24 attack:
“Porta dos Fundos values artistic freedom and humor through satire on the most diverse cultural themes of our society and believes that freedom of expression is an essential construction for a democratic country."
Three men have taken responsibility for the attack, in which no one was hurt.
Possible 'Cultural War'
This isn't Porta dos Fundos' first time facing controversy. Its film "The Last Hangover" is about Jesus disciples who are looking for him after the Last Supper. The film won the group won an International Emmy for best comedy web television special.
According to the Associated Press, Netflix said it would not comment on the matter. Porta dos Fundos also said it wouldn't comment.
