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| Saturday, 18 September 2004 |
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by Deeptha Leelarathna The producers of the controversial movie Hollywood Buddha held a press conference in Beverly Hills on September 16 followed by a special screening of the movie attended by Sri Lankan and Thai Buddhist Monks. Sri Lankan Consul General Pradeep Gunawardana said he has invited all Sri Lankan Temples in Southern California to send representatives to the press conference called by director Phillippe Caland and to the screening of the movie at the Charles Aidikoff Screening Room on the fashionable Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. "This gave us all an opportunity to see firsthand what the movie is about," said Gunawardana. Former Ambassador and Buddhist Scholar Dr. Ananda Guruge as well as a representative of Sri Lanka Express, the Los Angeles based biweekly newspaper were also invited to this special event. Buddhist Monks from other countries including Thailand and Vietnam were also expected to be present at the advance screening. Following protests by Buddhists here, primarily the Thai Consulate, the controversial movie poster depicting a man seated atop a Buddha Statue has been pulled out. A new poster will be revealed September 23. The movie will be released on September 24 to the general public at theatres in West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Encino and Pasadena. Caland who plays the lead role in the movie has already offered an apology to all Buddhists in which he stated "The film never makes fun of Buddhism or any religion, but instead shows how fraudters commercialise religion for their own gain. I have the greatest respect for Buddhists and people of all faiths and peace and hope this apology begins to express my regret for pain this image has caused. |
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