‘Penguins’ director: Christians hijacked my film
Luc Jacquet, the director of the suprising successful documentary, “March of the Penguins”, notes that Christians have misrepresented his film by linking it to Intelligent Design. Jacquet, scientist and firm believer in the theory of evolution, states his film should not be used in support of evolution or intelligent design.
The director of “March of the Penguins,” a documentary about the mating ritual of Arctic birds is lashing out against Christians and others who suggest the film helps prove “intelligent design” rather than the theory of evolution.“It does annoy me to a certain degree,” Luc Jacquet told the Sunday Times of London. “For me there is no doubt about evolution. I am a scientist. The intelligent design theory is a step back to the thinking of 300 years ago. My film is not supposed to be interpreted in this way. Some scientists I know find the film interesting because it can be a good argument against intelligent design. People should not jump on these bandwagons.”
Some Christian-oriented commentators in the U.S. have said the penguins are symbols for everything from monogamy to the right to life. Radio host and film critic Michael Medved, noted the story of the emperor penguins’ journey “most passionately affirms traditional norms like monogamy, sacrifice and child rearing.”
“If you want an example of monogamy, penguins are not a good choice,” Jacquet told The Times. “The divorce rate in emperor penguins is 80 to 90 per cent each year. … After they see the chick is OK, most of them divorce. They change every year.”
Writing in the Christian publication World magazine Andrew Coffin, wrote the complexity of the penguins’ lives was clear evidence of intelligent design, demonstrating it could not have come about through random selection.
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Source: WorldNetDaily.com © 2005 WorldNetDaily
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[...] Mission Network News Tue, 25 Oct 2005 15:56 Venezuela debates the expulsion of a mission agency. Christians need to remember Sudan, crisis continues Kids are raving over a programming lineup aimed at them. Some churches in Hurricane Katrina zone unsure if they’ll reopen The holiday season nears in the U-S, an inner city ministry gets ready In the Faith - News Service Tue, 25 Oct 2005 15:56 Luc Jacquet, the director of the suprising successful documentary, “March of the Penguins”, notes that Christians have misrepresented his film by linking it to Intelligent Design. Jacquet, scientist and firm believer in the theory of evolution, states his film should not be used in support of evolution or intelligent design.The director of “March of [...] ‘Penguins’ director: Christians hijacked my film [...]
Jacquet states: “My film is not supposed to be interpreted in this way. Some scientists I know find the film interesting because it can be a good argument against intelligent design. People should not jump on these bandwagons.”
Hmm, this is an interesting position for a modern film-maker to take. Jacquet believes his work should have a specific interpretation. According to some postmoderns (I don’t know if Jacquet would or would not classify himself as one) anything and everything is up for interpretation.
Although I agree that one can not coopt the intentional meaning of a piece of literature or work of art for one’s own end, it does remain that that work can impact the audience in significantly different ways. Film is an especially appropriate medium for this type of reflection.
More at Bloggin Outloud.
Thanks for your post.
lgp
his prerogative. I’m just amazed that he is marching to the tune of the evolutionists and, a priori, has dismissed God from the equation and would object to a good discussion. Who’s jumping on which bandwagons now? Related Links WorldNetDaily.com In The Faith penguin jokes
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