Cannes to kick off with Da Vinci Code controversy

CANNES, France, May 17: As the 59th Cannes film festival prepares to kick off, there are only four words on everyone's lips: ''The Da Vinci Code''.

One of the most eagerly anticipated movies in years opens the annual event tomorrow, bringing glitz and controversy to the red carpet.

Its star Tom Hanks will join a host of 'A'-listers descending on the palm-lined Croisette waterfront to mix the business of interviews and photocalls with the pleasure of parties, luxury yachts and exclusive hotels over 12 days.

Director Ron Howard's adaptation of the Dan Brown bestseller has triggered a new wave of protests among Christians for suggesting Christ married Mary Magdalene and they established a dynasty which the Church stopped at nothing to try to cover up.

In South Korea today, a court rejected a petition by a Christian group to block the movie release in the country, which has one of the highest proportions of Christians in Asia.

In the mainly Catholic Philippines, censors gave The Da Vinci Code an ''adults only'' rating, saying that it required ''mature discernment'' because of the plot that involves Jesus having a child with Mary Magdalene.

And in India, the government has decided to show the film to Catholic groups before taking a decision on clearing it for a scheduled release later this week.

The controversies, alongside calls from the Vatican to boycott the book and film, have given studio Sony Pictures the kind of publicity money can't buy.

''I don't think this was a movie that set out to be controversial,'' said Hollywood Reporter's Gregg Kilday.

''It was always meant to be a mainstream glossy Hollywood thriller. But because of the religious elements in the book that have attracted the attention of a lot of religious leaders ...it promises to be a big controversial bow for the festival.''

REUTERS