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Post Info TOPIC: AIE Ei Ei!


The Changeling

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Date: 1:29 PM, 09/20/10
AIE Ei Ei!
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From:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/sep/20/glastonbury-abbey-nicolas-cage-apology

Glastonbury abbey apologises after allowing Nicolas Cage to plug film

The director of Glastonbury abbey today apologised for any offence caused after allowing the Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage to promote his new film, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, from the site said to be King Arthur's grave.

Cage and a film crew were allowed into the abbey in the early hours of the morning so they could broadcast live to an American chat show earlier this year.

But some local people were upset that a film featuring magic was promoted in a place important for many Christians. One resident said he was "horrified and disgusted" that the abbey had been used to sell a film "full of sorcery and black magic".

The director of the abbey, Katherine Gorbing, apologised to "anyone who was offended" but argued that churches and cathedrals were often used as film locations. Gloucester cathedral has been used as a setting in some Harry Potter films while the big screen version of The Da Vinci Code had been partly filmed in Lincoln cathedral, she said.

"We continue to take great care when considering activities ... to ensure the abbey's spiritual significance, its Christian heritage and rich history and traditions are respected," Gorbing said.

During the broadcast, beamed live to ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live, Cage appears dressed in a thigh-length black leather jacket. Standing next to the spot reputed to be the resting place of King Arthur, he explains he is in a "very magical and sacred" place and says he could not think of a better place from which to launch the new trailer for his film.

Gorbing said Cage, who has a home nearby, personally requested to film at the abbey. She said: "Besides talking about his role in the film, Mr Cage demonstrated generosity in voluntarily promoting Glastonbury and the abbey to millions of Americans ... We hope Mr Cage's promotion will attract more American visitors to Glastonbury."

In a letter in today's Western Daily Press, Gorbing said Cage and his crew "took great care to honour the dignity and spiritual sanctity of the abbey", adding: "We wish everyone involved in activities at the abbey was as respectful."

A spokesman for the abbey said Gorbing had felt it necessary to apologise and explain because there had been "murmurings" in the Somerset town.

One letter writer to a local paper, Mike Derbidge, said he was "horrified and disgusted" that Cage "was let into Glastonbury abbey in the middle of the night to promote his latest film".

He continued: "This film (called The Sorcerer's Apprentice) is full of sorcery and black magic and I am shocked to think that the management of the abbey would allow this to take place. Glastonbury abbey first and foremost is a church and a place of worship.

"I am sure by using the abbey to advertise this film, it has given them a lot of money and confirms what a lot of locals are thinking - and that is that the management would like to see the wonderful abbey with all its history turned into a theme park."

Jane Bentley, a member of the grounds team at the abbey, argued that it had featured in "many (possibly hundreds) of television programmes over the years", many focusing on the "spiritual and mystical side of the abbey's allure". She added: "In these days of multi-faith inclusiveness, to be offended by such a minor thing as a Hollywood film is rather old-fashioned, surely?"



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Faery Queen of Cagealot Castle

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Date: 2:33 PM, 09/20/10
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oh my word... There's much I could say about ancient beliefs that predate Christianity and how King Arthur's tomb is considered sacred to many non- christian spiritual people. I'm afraid his complaint is incredibly misinformed, not only about what 'magic' is and isn't, but about the incredibly respectful intentions that Nic clearly has towards the Abbey and the whole City.
They should, perhaps, take a leaf out of his book and be a little more gracious and respectful in return!

I think we should write a counter complaint, that some busy body has now utterly ruined our sacred experience of a wonderful interview and a magical, special film!
And then we should sign it in the devil's blood, because we are clearly evil as well, for enjoying such a film 'full of sorcery and black magic'!

Give me strength! You know what, I'm a healer and a light worker. A christian would say i'm an evil sorcerer too! Ridiculous! Ancient peoples have had their own practices and beliefs for thousands and thousands of years, pre dating Christianity, the vast majority of them highly spiritual and working for the highest good. And my final word on the matter is the teachings of Christ include many phenomena including healing and more, he was the best sorcerer that ever lived! nana.gif

Sorry. I'm upset! please delete or edit me White Fay if needs be!


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Nicalicious

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Date: 4:56 PM, 09/20/10
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Here, here, Lula, my sentiments exactly.

Poor, close-minded person who wrote the letter, sorry for him really, he probably spends his days having fits about everything that doesn't fit his narrow set of moral values.

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Faery Queen of Cagealot Castle

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Date: 12:15 AM, 09/21/10
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He must feel very strongly about it to have taken such steps, but you are totally right Lady Trueheart it's the moralizing that is most upsetting. It would be understandable if the interview was done in a careless manner, but it wasn't. In my mind, this complaint is not about the historical building whatsoever, but about an imposition of a belief system. I think King Arthur would have enjoyed Nic's company and would have known the good intentions in his heart. lotus

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The Changeling

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Date: 12:28 AM, 09/21/10
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I think the idiot who didn't have anything better to do than critisize Nicolas and the Glastonbury Foundation needs to get a life.

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"Love one another but make not a bond of love.
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls"
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TTT


Nic Newbie

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Date: 4:50 AM, 10/01/10
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White Fay wrote:

I think the idiot who didn't have anything better to do than critisize Nicolas and the Glastonbury Foundation needs to get a life.



Though in defense of the gentlemen who complained, he was very clear is stating, he doesn't have anything personal against Nic at all infact, he loved him in World Trade Center!

Unfortunately, ANYTIME you're dealing with a structure that relishes religious sentiment, you run the risk of confrontation. blankstare

What's interesting though is, ONE newspaper ran the story on-line and it snow-balled from there with news agencies and gossip sites copying the story over and over and over...

But, I thought the Abbey handled the complaint appropriately by not undermining the gentleman who complained OR Nic - very classy indeed!!



-- Edited by TTT on Saturday 2nd of October 2010 05:48:15 AM

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Faery Queen of Cagealot Castle

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Date: 11:23 AM, 10/01/10
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Hi TTT,
That's very true, they handled it in the only way they could really and atleast confirmed that Nic and the film crew showed the utmost respect to the sacredness of the Abbey.
As the Groundsman pointed out though..the Abbey has a spiritual heritage of far greater scale than the complaint accounts for and it could possibly be seen as offensive to those with other spiritual beliefs that someone would complain in the manner this gentleman did.

But yes, on the whole the article White Fay shared was a very balanced one showing all points of view.flowerface

An interesting point worth mentioning is how many Abbey's and cathedrals in this country are used as film venues ( amazing ones as well ) and I'm sure all involved in the filmmaking process are so so aware of the sacredness of the building and the history. It would be flippant to assume otherwise I feel. Indeed here in the East uk, we have an incredibly historical cathedral that has been used as a venue for films and many tv series, and the relationship between the city, the cathedral and filmmakers is always a happy and mutually beneficial one! flowerface

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