‘Dogma’ Controversy Heats Up

There’s no official word on how the possible sale of Kevin Smith’s film Dogma is going, though it appears that the controversy surrounding the film has just heated up… on both sides of the issue.

According to a number of sources, lawyers representing Bob and Harvey Weinstein sent a letter to William Donohue and his Catholic League of Religious and Civil Rights that threatened the organization would be "fully accountable for any wrongdoing, injury, or damage" that should happen at any screening of the film.

The reason cited for issuing the letter is based on a comment by Donohue in response to a recent comment that Ben Affleck made regarding the film that is "meant to push buttons." Donohue is said to have responded on the line saying, "The Catholic League has a few buttons of its own to push, and we will not hold back."

Daniel Petrocelli, a lawyer from the firm of Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp, who represent the Weinsteins, commented on the letter saying that it was sent in direct response to Donohue’s comments, saying, "Statements like [Donohue’s] may be interpreted to announce or imply an intention by the League to go beyond the bounds of legitimate and peaceful dissent or protest, and to stimulate, motivate, or incite danger or violence. Please be advised that any such impermissible activity authorized, committed or encouraged by the League that harms or threatens harm to any person will not be tolerated."

Donohue is completely denying that he and his organization plans to do anything of a violent nature towards the film suggesting simply protests be done. Regarding the letter, Donohue is quoted as calling the maneuver on the Weinsteins' part to be "a fascistic attempt to silence us."

Donohue adds, "The letter by the Weinstein attorneys is wonderful. It proves who the true enemies of free speech really are. The Catholic League protest of Dogma will now proceed with even more vigor than ever before."

Donohue, who has read the film’s script, is also quoted in the Hollywood Reporter with not taking issue with a number of points in the film saying, "I don't care if Jesus is black and God is a woman -- that's all within artistic parameters. I do care about insult humor against the faith." Generally speaking, Donohue’s organization is said to have declared the script as violent, profane and blasphemous.

Dogma, as yet, has no official distributor and, according to Variety, isn’t finished yet.