Hey folks, gosh... Talk Back on yesterday's DOGMA story sort of got a bit out of hand. For me DOGMA is a religious satire, albeit I haven't read the script, that I'm looking at with the same set of eyes that I have looked at JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and THE LIFE OF BRIAN. Now it is my understanding that perhaps DOGMA goes a bit further with it's satire, but you know... I have heard the rumor that Kevin Smith has said that Dogma is to religion, what pulling the pigtails of that girl you secretly loved on the school bus every morning was to love. Both are heartfelt expressions, both can be misinterpretated. But let's see if we can be civil this time....
Bob and Harvey Weinstein to Personally Acquire Rights to Kevin Smith's "Dogma" Through Private Corporation Separate From Miramax Films
New York, NY, April 7, 1999 -- Bob and Harvey Weinstein announced today that they are forming a corporation to acquire all rights to writer/director Kevin Smith's film "Dogma," a satire that deals with religious issues. The announcement comes after speculation about the film's distribution by Miramax Films and the potential controversy that could arise.
The Weinsteins, who will personally buy the negative and film rights, plan to sell domestic distribution rights to a third party and work with individual distributors internationally as well. Miramax has recently collaborated with several studios -- Paramount, Universal and Sony -- on co-productions.
The decision to acquire the film through a corporation of Bob and Harvey Weinstein was reached amicably by all parties involved with the film, including Kevin Smith and the film's producer, Scott Mosier.
"We all agreed that this is the best way for the film to be presented," said Bob and Harvey Weinstein. "All of us look forward to the time when audiences will be able to see this film; it will be properly understood and viewed for film as film's sake."
The Weinsteins added, "Now that we are ending speculation as to 'Dogma's' distribution, we believe the film will speak for itself and be understood for its artistic intentions and merits."
"Through the new corporation, we intend to work with a distributor that shares our vision of the film," said the Weinsteins. "We are confident that we will find a marketing and distribution partner that will fully realize 'Dogma's' potential as broad entertainment."
The film boasts an all-star cast that includes Ben Affleck, George Carlin, Matt Damon, Linda Fiorentino, Salma Hayek, Smith regulars Jason Lee and Jason Mewes, Alanis Morisette, Alan Rickman, Chris Rock, as well as Smith himself. Early preview screenings of the film have played to enthusiastic and receptive audiences who have wholly embraced it.
"It has been our hallmark to grow with and support our artists," said the Weinsteins. "In fairness to Kevin, we do not want to jeopardize 'Dogma' from being seen as the mainstream entertainment he has imagined it to be. We feel that this action is the best to remain true to the film and to our corporate parent."
Through the resources and support of Disney, the Weinsteins have grown Miramax into their vision, producing, acquiring and releasing dozens of critically acclaimed films including Academy Award-nominated Best Pictures "Shakespeare in Love," "Life is Beautiful," "Good Will Hunting," "The English Patient," " Il Postino," "Pulp Fiction," and, in addition, Kevin Smith's own "Clerks" and "Chasing Amy," among many others.
Kevin Smith said, "As per usual, Bob and Harvey are the only ones willing to stick by us or back our goofy little flicks. In this instance, I would say they've shown great courage, however, I wrote the film, I directed the film, I have seen the film many times -- in my opinion, 'Dogma' is in no way blasphemous or worthy of the mild controversy that seems to be brewing around it."
"Dogma" is an adult fairy tale, a fantastical journey about a lone hero joined by a band of misfits marching on to a common goal to save humanity. While each traveler has his and her own set of beliefs, in their quest to save mankind, each will be forced to confront their faith, and ultimately find their own relationship with God. At the center of the fable is "Bethany" (Linda Fiorentino), who is called up by "Metatron" (Alan Rickman) to stop two renegade angels, "Bartelby" (Ben Affleck) and "Loki," (Matt Damon) from unmaking existence in their quest to return "home." Along the way, "Bethany" is aided by two unlikely prophets, "Jay" (Jason Mewes) and "Silent Bob," (Kevin Smith), a man who falls to earth claiming to be the 13th Apostle (Chris Rock) and a heavenly Muse, (Salma Hayek).
A cinematic fantasy filled with suspense, comedy, action and mystery, "Dogma" is intended not to skewer, but to satirize its subject matter with good humor, which is the point of sophisticated comedies. While plot points and characters may be taken out of context, appearing as if Smith is attacking organized religion, the film should be taken as a whole: a satire that comes from a filmmaker who himself is a practicing Catholic with a solid foundation of love and reverence to faith.
"Dogma was from first to last always intended as a love letter to both faith and God almighty," added Smith. "It's mind bending that as we come to the close of this century that anyone would still attack a work that has yet to see the light of day without having seen it themselves. I just hope that my intention with the film -- to make people, even if for only two hours, think about the reason we're all here in the first place -- isn't lost amidst religious politicking."
