If you've read The Da Vinci Code (Seriously, it's okay to admit you never read it -- we won't make fun of you.), then you're familiar with the mysterious Opus Dei featured prominently in the book. Well, the real-life organization, which is made to look like some sort of freaky Catholic cult in the novel, is protesting Ron Howard's refusal to include the "this movie is fiction" disclaimer they requested in his film.

The director, who has already faced a ton of criticism from the Vatican, states that there's really no need to have a disclaimer since it's obvious the film is fiction. You know, because it's, um, a movie. Sure, there will be groups and organizations featured that are real, but the characters and story are not. Howard says, "It's not theology. It's not history. To start off with a disclaimer ... spy thrillers don't start off with disclaimers."

And he's right. I think. However, seeing as the book and film's themes are so controversial, do you think it would be wise to throw up a disclaimer to keep the peace? I mean, I chose not to watch The Passion of the Christ for my own personal reasons -- I'm curious, did it open with a disclaimer? One that said something like, "We're not sure if this whole thing actually happened this way because we weren't there ... but you never know?"

It's just one thing after another for the poor, suffering team behind The Da Vinci Code -- another day, another round of free publicity. This time, it's not an author or a Korean Christian group that's angry, but Opus Dei. Again. And the Pope. So, because Good Friday is a time for publicly making sure everyone is properly respecting Jesus Christ, officials from The Vatican and Opus Dei (specifically the Japanese arm) both spent some time yesterday making sure the press knew about their objections to the film.

In Italy, Raniero Cantalamessa -- "the pope's personal preacher," no less -- described the release of The Da Vinci Code as an event that will cause increased "speculation" about previously accepted "Christian beliefs and ancient legends." Not content to stop there, he went on to imply that the movie is just one element in a betrayal of Christ that recalls the biblical actions of Judas. Man alive. Can we review here, for a second? This book is in the FICTION section of bookstores, people. And the movie? Fiction as well. Tom Hanks is not a pasty, intellectual action hero. Paul Bettany? Sadly, not an evil albino. Seriously. He's really not.

In Japan, meanwhile, Opus Dei made public a letter to Sony, in which they asked the company to attach a "this movie is entirely fiction" disclaimer to The Da Vinci Code. Sigh. According to the group's press release, such a  move would be "an expression of respect toward Jesus Christ, the history of the church and the religious beliefs of viewers." Sony said only that they haven't yet decided whether or not they respect Jesus how to respond. Happy Easter!

When Kim reported last week that Opus Dei once made an effort to change the way it is portrayed in The Da Vinci Code, the impression we all had was that the group had accepted the movie as it stands, and was instead publicizing its disagreements with the film's portrayal of its members. It turns out, however, that we were jumping the gun a bit: according to The Guardian, Opus Dei is back at it.

The group has actually released a statement, informing the public that "Sony Pictures still [has] time to make changes to the film...that would be appreciated by Catholics, 'particularly in these days in which everyone has noted the painful consequences of intolerance.'" Aw. Isn't that sweet? The fact that Opus Dei is selflessly trying to reduce intolerance in the world today makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And, as an added bonus, they're also helping us all remember the right way to live: "'Correct behavior is to avoid offense while it's still possible." Riiiight. At least when you're the ones who are offended, right?

Alright then, hands up: who thinks that Ron Howard is going to suddenly see the horribly intolerant error of his (fictional) ways and scurry back into the editing room?

The New York Times has a piece up about how Roman Catholic organization Opus Dei has PR wheels in overdrive trying to distance itself from the upcoming film The Da Vinci Code. The book (and film) features a psychotic albino monk named Silas (played by Paul Bettany)  who is affiliated with Opus Dei, and depicts the secretive group as a powerful cult. According to the Times piece, Opus Dei leaders even contacted Sony Pictures last year, asking that any mention of the group be removed from the film, to no avail.

Opus Dei's website has an entire section devoted to The Da Vinci Code, which answers a number of issues presented in the book as factual. For instance, the Opus Dei site declaims the existence of a monastic order within the group, refutes any suggestion that it is a cult, and denies having any wealth or power to speak of (well, except for that $2.8 billion in assets and power positions in the Vatican).  

It's not all bad news for Opus Dei, though. The group has had significant publicity from the book and film (and isn't it true there's no such thing as bad publicity?), and the interest spurred by The Da Vinci Code has paved the way for Doubleday to publish an upcoming book, The Way, a collection of writings by the group's founder, Father Josemaría Escrivá, who was canonized for sainthood in 2002.

[ via Under a Neon Sign at Indiewire.com ]