Life of Brian to be shown at church

A place of worship may seem an unlikely setting for a screening of The Life of Brian '“ but fans of the comedy can enjoy it in a Leamington church next month.
The film caused controversy upon its release, with some Christians claiming it was blasphemousThe film caused controversy upon its release, with some Christians claiming it was blasphemous
The film caused controversy upon its release, with some Christians claiming it was blasphemous

Released to more than a little controversy in 1979, Monty Python’s The Life Of Brian follows the struggles of Brian Cohen, a man at odds with the Roman occupation and who is definitely not a messiah, but rather a very naughty boy. The Life Of Brian will be supported by ‘Music You Don’t Normally Hear Played On A Church Organ’ performed by Florence Ellis.

Leamington Underground Cinema has teamed up with the fundraising group Friends of All Saints’ Parish Church for the screening.

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Fr Christopher Wilson, the vicar of All Saints’, said: “Just as church buildings were the centre of all sorts of community activities in medieval times, we hope the film will bring in people who wouldn’t normally think of entering this spectacular place.

“The Life of Brian caused upset when it was released almost 40 years ago. Most of us have grown up since then. We’ve learned to laugh at ourselves and to understand the difference between faith, which inspires us from deep within, and the foibles of human nature which are so humorously depicted in the film.

“Brian is not Jesus. That’s made clear right at the beginning of the film, where the Wise Men mistakenly visit Brian, before finding the real Jesus. We already know that there were other people claiming to be the Messiah at the time of Jesus – Brian is one of them.

“As we observe his escapades, two things in particular stand out for me – firstly, the importance of thinking things through rather than just going along with the crowd, and secondly, striving always to ‘look on the bright side of life’.

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“We’re hoping people will come along to enjoy an evening out, and we won’t be preaching to them – but if watching the film encourages anyone to pick up a Bible and understand the huge difference between Brian and Jesus, we’d be delighted.”

The screening takes place on Saturday May 28. Tickets cost £10 each in advance or on the door. Half of the profits from ticket sales is going towards the continued upkeep and maintenance of the church.

Tickets can be bought from leamingtonundergroundcinema.co.uk or from the cafe in the church.

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