Brazil orders Netflix to pull movie portraying Jesus as gay
A Brazilian judge has ordered Netflix to take down a controversial comedy special in which Jesus is portrayed as a gay man.
Benedicto Abicair, a Rio de Janeiro judge, on Wednesday ordered Netflix to remove The First Temptation of Christ, a satirical Christmas special released last month in which it's suggested that Jesus is gay, saying that "the consequences of spreading and exhibiting this 'artistic production' ... are more likely to provoke more serious and irreparable damage than the movie's suspension," The Washington Post reports.
"The right to freedom of expression ... is not absolute," the judge also said, BBC News reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The First Temptation of Christ's release in early December sparked a fierce backlash in Brazil, and the Rio de Janeiro headquarters of the comedy troupe that created it was attacked with molotov cocktails on Christmas Eve. There were no injuries in the attack.
The judge's ruling this week came in response to a complaint from a Catholic institute. "For the time being, the ban is binding, unless another court rules otherwise," Variety reports.
The Post notes Netflix has faced pressure to remove content overseas before, having last year taken down an episode of Hasan Minhaj's Patriot Act in Saudi Arabia critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after a request from the Saudi royal family. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings defended that decision in November, saying, "We're not in the news business. We're not trying to do 'truth to power.' We're trying to entertain."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Netherlands split on WFH for sex workers
Speed Read Councils concerned over 'nuisance' of at-home sex work, but others say changes will curb underground sex trade
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'He adored Trump, and then rejected him'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Thursday Murder Club: who's in the film and what we can expect
Speed Read Author Richard Osman reveals starry cast set to play his 'septuagenarian sleuths'
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published