May 23, 2009
Why can’t the BBC understand that we are STILL a Christian country?
Stephen Glover wonders “why the BBC can’t understand that we are STILL a Christian country” in an article in the Daily Mail, writing “At every possible opportunity it will wheel forward one of those professional atheists who are not happy to live silently with their own non-belief but are determined to shove it down everyone else’s throats. I am thinking particularly of the biologist Richard Dawkins, the novelist Philip Pullman and the philosopher A. C. Grayling. Can you think of a Christian biologist, novelist or philosopher who is afforded one-tenth of the airtime of these militant, omnipresent non-believers?”
Between Narnia and His Dark Materials
Another article has appeared comparing and contrasting the His Dark Materials and Narnia series. “Philip Pullman may have been influenced by C.S. Lewis, but he departs from Lewis’ imaginative use of fantasy to create a world of adventure that is rooted in realism.”
May 9, 2009
God’s Storytellers – From Milton To CS Lewis And Philip Pullman
Chichester Cathedral chancellor Canon Dr Anthony Cane is exploring his fascination with storytelling in a new series of Chichester Cathedral lectures named “God’s Storytellers – From Milton To CS Lewis And Philip Pullman“. “For many people, stories will mean entertainment – and so they are,” said Anthony. “But stories also help us to understand ourselves and our society and our culture. Stories also help us understand what religious faith is all about.” The Pullman lecture takes place at the cathedral on May 19 at 6.30pm.
February 23, 2009
Philip Pullman in Conversation at the Oxford Playhouse
Philip Pullman will be at the Oxford Playhouse on April 24th for a discussion of His Dark Materials as part of the Playhouse’s 70th anniversary celebrations. He will talk about “the genesis of an alternate Oxford” and “his impressions of the adaptation of his epic trilogy, in the week before it takes to the Playhouse stage”. He will also talk about the differences between stage and screen, comparing the play with the film of The Golden Compass. Tickets can be purchased for £11(£9) through the Oxford Playhouse website.
September 27, 2008
Banned Books Week Begins in the US
September 27 marks the start of a week long celebration of freedom to read and opposition to censorship. According to the American Library Association, more than 400 books were challenged in 2007. The Golden Compass came in at #4 most challenged, with the primary complaint being its “religious viewpoint”. The week will feature displays in public libraries and events with authors reading sections from their favourite banned or challenged books.
The censorship issue has been a topical one, appearing in the 2008 US presidential elections when it was revealed that Republican Vice-President nominee Sarah Palin had once enquired to her town librarian about the procedure for banning books with inappropriate language, although there have not been any reports of further action being taken. The controversy surrounding The Golden Compass movie is also fresh in the minds of His Dark Materials fans, with the “misdirected” attacks lamented by Mr Pullman for their effect on the film’s box office receipts in the US.
Further details about the anti-censorship week can be found on the banned books website.
The censorship issue has been a topical one, appearing in the 2008 US presidential elections when it was revealed that Republican Vice-President nominee Sarah Palin had once enquired to her town librarian about the procedure for banning books with inappropriate language, although there have not been any reports of further action being taken. The controversy surrounding The Golden Compass movie is also fresh in the minds of His Dark Materials fans, with the “misdirected” attacks lamented by Mr Pullman for their effect on the film’s box office receipts in the US.
Further details about the anti-censorship week can be found on the banned books website.
July 19, 2008
Subtle Knife movie uncertainty continues
Philip Pullman cast fresh doubt on the big screen future of the trilogy, revealing he has yet to receive any contact regarding filming for The Subtle Knife. Talking to The Independent, he explained:
In a separate interview with The Telegraph Mr Pullman lamented the role of religious protesters on the U.S. box office figures. Although he thought the attacks were misdirected, he had “no doubt to say it did influence a number of people not to go to see it.” In spite of this, he played down fears that the sequels had been scrapped, insisting it was quite normal for potential films to remain in limbo for some time before a final decision is made. He remains “hopeful” that the sequels will be made.
Michael Gubbins, the editor of Screen International, said it was unlikely that the film could be brought out by next year, especially in a tough box office environment with “trilogy congestion” in following months, but that the franchise was likely to be revisited in the future.
The full stories can be read at The Telegraph and The Independent.
Update (5 Aug 2008): After speaking to the producers, Mr Pullman has revealed the film’s recent developments to the Oxford Mail:
“I know everyone would like to see a sequel and I know I’d like to see it. When the first film was in production, I was talking to the studio and to Chris Weitz and producers quite frequently. I’m sure I would be now if the sequel was in production.”Director Chris Weitz declined to comment, stating he did not want to talk about the project while the studio responsible for the first film was refusing to discuss the future of the trilogy.
In a separate interview with The Telegraph Mr Pullman lamented the role of religious protesters on the U.S. box office figures. Although he thought the attacks were misdirected, he had “no doubt to say it did influence a number of people not to go to see it.” In spite of this, he played down fears that the sequels had been scrapped, insisting it was quite normal for potential films to remain in limbo for some time before a final decision is made. He remains “hopeful” that the sequels will be made.
Michael Gubbins, the editor of Screen International, said it was unlikely that the film could be brought out by next year, especially in a tough box office environment with “trilogy congestion” in following months, but that the franchise was likely to be revisited in the future.
The full stories can be read at The Telegraph and The Independent.
Update (5 Aug 2008): After speaking to the producers, Mr Pullman has revealed the film’s recent developments to the Oxford Mail:
“They are getting a script together and they have plans to get things going – in time all things are possible and I feel quite positive about it.”
June 4, 2008
Pullman protests age categorisation for children’s literature
From the autumn, leading publishers plan to introduce labelling to the covers of all children’s books indicating whether they’re intended for ages 5+, 7+, 9+, 11+ or 13+/teen. Outraged at the move, Philip Pullman is leading a group of over 80 authors, illustrators, librarians, teachers and booksellers who have joined together in protest. Pullman writes:
I don’t want to see the book itself declaring officially, as if with my approval, that it is for readers of 11 and upwards or whatever. I write books for whoever is interested. When I write a book I don’t have an age group in mind.Pullman himself will not be subject to this simplistic classification as his publishers (Scholastic) have agreed with his wishes to omit it. Read the telegraph article here.
April 3, 2008
Religious Debate at Oxford Festival
The Times reports on a religious debate which took place at the Oxford Literary Festival in which Philip Pullman was a participant. Amongst others taking part were Sarfraz Manzoor and Timothy Garton. Debate varied from the case of the anti-islamic Danish cartoon, to the work of Pullman himself who was unfortunately suffering from a heavy cold. Pullman was directly questioned by one audience member on the Golden Compass movie and the religious aspects found within and why New Line Cinema had seemingly played down such debate to avoid controversy. Pullman did concede that the questioner had a point and also told the audience how last year an Oxford mosque had received hate mail which had been signed by “Philip Pullman”. You can read the report in full here.
March 20, 2008
Emmerich Appointed New Line President
New Line Cinema, the production company behind The Golden Compass movie, have a new President. Toby Emmerich, previously a New Line production chief, has been named President and COO of the company and will be reporting directly to Alan Horn, President of Warner Bros, it was announced by Horn. Emmerich’s brief will be to reduce costs through extensive use of Warner Bros’ infrastructure. As a result of the restructuring, New Line will continue to retain all creative, development and production teams, while areas such as physical production, legal affairs and publicity will report directly to Emmerich in close conjunction with Warner Bros. There’s as yet no indication what this means for the future of the His Dark Materials film adaptations, but you can read the full story here.
March 18, 2008
His Dark Materials Audio Recommendation
Following Sue Arnold’s highly positive recommendation of the unabridged Philip Pullman-narrated Northern Lights audiobook in Saturday’s Guardian newspaper, the Bookwitch features a blog with her thoughts on the audiobooks. Something both critics seem to be fans of is the voice actor Sean Barratt, cast as Iorek Brynison and Lord Asriel in the readings. You can also take part in discussions about the audiobooks over in our dedicated area of the forum by clicking here.