Click here to read a Guardian article about the current "media campaign" surrounding the release of Disney and Walden Media's "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe" feature film.
"To millions 'The Chronicles of Narnia' are a childhood tale of wonder and triumph now made into a film that could inspire millions of children to read. To others, including the celebrated fantasy author Philip Pullman, they are stories of racism and thinly veiled religious propaganda that will corrupt children rather than inspiring them."
Essentially this film is turning into yet another "the public eye is on this one so let's all turn it into a religious debate" film. This year's "The Passion of The Christ"if you will (although obviously with that film it was pretty obviously intended to provoke). Whenever there is a contentious issue such as this one I find it odd how as an artist working on the film you become so consumed in "making it look cool" that the broader context of how the work will be received eludes you. Of course, it comes up in casual conversation all the time amongst the artists, but you never really feel that you are contributing to an agenda of any kind. The idea that "hey, I am making Jesus in the guise of a huge photoreal computer generated lion" never really crossed my mind. Those who worked with me might beg to differ as they recall a bellowing "ooooh ggggeeeeezzzzuuuzzzzz" or two as my renders went horribly wrong. In reading Pullman's comments (I am a big Pullman fan) I am inclined to think that his criticisms are valid given that in general I share his "spiritual perspective." Nothing like a devout atheist to get you biting the hand that feeds you!
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