MOVIES - March 31, 1989

“The Last Temptation of Christ,” Martin Scorsese’s film that has been branded as blasphemous by many Christians, has run into more trouble this week in opposite parts of the world. Iran is going to boycott the Istanbul film festival in Turkey because the controversial film is scheduled to be shown. Tehran radio, in a broadcast monitored in Nicosia, Cyprus, quoted the Culture and Information Ministry’s film division as saying, “The showing of this film, especially in a Muslim country, is an insult to . . . all those who believe in God.” Muslims consider Jesus a prophet. The film has been condemned for a dream sequence in which Jesus fantasizes about making love to Mary Magdalene. Additionally, “The Last Temptation” has been banned in Chile after a ruling by that country’s Council of Cinematic Control that it “contradicted Bible teachings.”