2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony Outrage (1 Viewer)

[Desertkiwi]

I managed to catch some of the French Olympics opening ceremony a few hours ago and at times was left shaking my head in disbelieve.

Brilliant seeing Celine Dion performing again, however the depiction of the last supper was a shocker, not that I'm a religious.

Maybe its my age (50s), but I found certain aspects of this ceremony truly disturbing........

 

[Desertkiwi]

Apologies for my poor grammar guys, misplaced my reading glasses and typing can be a challenge without them these days.

Found them again thank goodness.

 

[The Military Workshop]

Like Kiwi I am not religious and did not watch the opening ceremony. However seen many media reports and surprised about apparent inclusion of a last supper scene with drag artists. In fact the first imagery I saw relating to the opening ceremony was at top of a Daily Mail article. The image was of one of the drag queens with a beard. No doubt Daily Mail picked that image as click bait.​

However today read two different articles. First was below article from Daily Mail :​

Paris 2024 Olympics: Did everyone get it wrong about THAT controversial opening ceremony moment?​

The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics sparked outrage for the so-called blasphemous depiction of the Last Supper, but a new theory has emerged about what the bizarre performance was really about. ​

Reverend Benjamin Cremer, based in the US, shared a post on social media which dispelled the allegation that the controversial scene featuring drag queens was mocking Leonardo da Vinci's classic painting and therefore Christianity.

The post reads: 'It was a representation of the event called the Feast of Dionysus. Greek God of festivity and feasting and ritual and theater.'

'The Olympics are from Greek culture and tradition. French culture is deeply rooted in feasting and festivity and performing arts.'​

According to the theory the scene depicted in the opening ceremony was based on a painting called 'Feast of the Gods' by Johann Rottenhammer and Jan Bruegel, circa 1602.

Another social media post challenged the idea the scene was depicting the Last Supper.

Taylor Driskill Pafford wrote, 'This painting is not specifically Dionysus, but is showing how feasts were often depicted during the Renaissance period— with lots of Greek influence.'

'It can look like the feast of Dionysus and it can also be reminiscent of the Last Supper.'

'That's because during the renaissance, many paintings depicting a feast would have a table with people on one side (and maybe a few on the front ends) and have them seated and standing in differing positions.'

Adding weight to Ms Pafford's argument, her post was shared by a pastor.

The Rev. Cassie Rapko wrote, 'It wasn't the Last Supper, which is housed in Italy, not France. it was the Feast of Dionysis.'

Replies to Ms Pafford's post were in full support.

'Thank you. I didn't automatically make the leap that they were deliberately mocking the Last Supper, but some clearly did…,' wrote on Facebook user.

'Finally. A voice of reason,' wrote another.

French actor and singer Phillippe Katerine was playing the role of the Greek god of wine Dionysus - online he was referred to as the 'naked blue man'.

Spectators believed the performance was a recreation of the famous biblical scene of Jesus Christ and his twelve apostles sharing a last meal before the crucifixion.

But the artistic imitation, which also included a group of drag queens and a transgender model, has caused offence among some Christians for making a 'gross mockery' of the religion.

Complete with models, dancers, fashion icons and drag queens from the host nation, the performance took place on a bridge over the capital's river around a table, which also doubled as a catwalk.

At the centre was a woman in front of DJ equipment with a golden halo-style crown, surrounded by several drag queens and dozens of dancers and performers.

A fashion show which showcased clothing designed by some of France's most promising young designers took centre stage, as those seated on either side performed slick choreography.

Among those present was Drag Race icon Nicky Doll, who has appeared on the French franchise, RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World and now hosts France's own version.

Although also hampered by hard-to-hear music, many young people and fans of the popular TV show took to social media to praise the tableau, which aimed to echo the atmosphere of a nightclub and featured dancing and lip-syncing on the soaking-wet stage.


But others were less impressed, accusing organisers of creating a 'woke' parody of the Last Supper - a painting by Leonardo da Vinci depicting Jesus' last meal with his disciples.

Tesla and SpaceX owner Elon Musk, who has come under criticism for his conservative beliefs, including towards his own daughter, wrote on X - formerly Twitter - claimed the performance was 'extremely disrespectful to Christians'.

He added: 'Christianity has become toothless.'

and below from the main Australian national paper, The Australian. Both articles were published within an hour of each other.

‘Mockery of Christianity’: Outrage over France’s Olympics opening ceremony Last Supper​

The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics has been labelled a “mockery” and condemned by the Christian comunity after drag queens and dancers appeared in a section that resembled The Last Supper.
The scene included French actor Philippe Katerine, who was painted blue and wearing little more than a bunch of flowers.

The scene quickly went viral, with social media users around the world unleashing over the decision to insult Christians around the world.

Australia’s former deputy prime minister Michael McCormack accused the ceremony’s artistic director, Thomas Jolly, of undermining Australian Christians who sacrificed their life to defend France.


“The Olympics opening ceremony ‘artistic’ director who felt the need to mock The Last Supper & thereby Christianity should be reminded of the great sacrifice of Christian soldiers, including tens upon tens of 1000s of Australians buried in (French) soil who died to save that country,” Mr McCormack said on social media.

Jolly defended the show in the face of backlash and accusations of “wokeism”.

He said his intention was about “inclusion” and “diversity”.

“Our idea was inclusion,” he said in an official Olympics press conference. “We wanted to talk about diversity. Diversity means being together, we wanted to include everybody.

“In France, we have artistic freedom. We are lucky in France to live in a free country.”

AFL legend and devout Christian Corey McKernan questioned the thought process behind the planning. “What is amazing is if the shoe was on the other foot … if there’s even a hint of being offensive, the carry-on would be next level,” McKernan said in a tweet. “Imagine thinking of the concept at planning level – surely you’d think we may upset a few people?”

Melbourne’s St Peter and Paul’s Catholic Cathedral bishop Andrew Mukukuoi told The Australian the act was a distasteful joke. “I think it was offensive to all Christians around the world,” he said. “It was a mockery because they made a joke of something that was really important for Christians – the Last Supper was when Christ gave us his body.

“They didn’t mock any other religion but chose to make a joke of Christianity.

“It was a distasteful thing to watch; whoever commissioned this should be held to account.”
-------------------------------------------
It is not clear that the comments by the artistic director Thomas Jolly were in relation to specific questions about the last supper / feast of the gods imagery or about diveristy and inclusion in general. It is worth noting that Jolly is gay. When he conceived the idea he knew what it was but probably could not see how others might mix it up with the more well known imagery. However when you see it is a performance rather than a series of photo stills the impression might be far different. Based on photo imagery it is not surprising that many associated it with last supper. That association has damaged the reputation of the games in the eyes of many. If they had had a focus group watch it they might have got some feedback that might have warned them.

Either way considerable harm done to reputation of France.

 

[GICOP]

One of the worst Opening Ceremonies ever......and not because of the rain

 

[Desertkiwi]

I don't buy into the so-called inclusion/diversity angle in the slightest. It was designed to offend and it did many.

The icing on the cake was seeing the bloke in the tight black shorts (standing behind the table) with his tackle hanging out, briefly bending over whispering goodness knows what to a small child seated at the table. I haven't posted the imagery here as its currently all over the internet and not appropriate.

 

[The Military Workshop]

Seems the organisers have apologised.

 

[GICOP]

Seems the organisers have apologised.

Too little, Too late

 

[Desertkiwi]

Too little, Too late

The backlash has been relentless and rightly so. You have to ask yourself how on earth the organizers ever thought type of behavior would be acceptable on the world stage......maybe its the norm in France??

 

[OzDigger]

I have less interest in this Olympics than most previous, partly because the French seem to enjoy offending people/nations that have defended their country in the past. I was recently offered free TV connection to the Olympic games, no thank you, I'd won't support such an ungrateful people.

 

[Combat]

I have less interest in this Olympics than most previous, partly because the French seem to enjoy offending people/nations that have defended their country in the past. I was recently offered free TV connection to the Olympic games, no thank you, I'd won't support such an ungrateful people.

Agreed. I wasn't interested to begin with. An overhyped event that continues based on some type of inertia from the past that is quickly running out of energy. It's more a cultural or political spectacle than sporting event. Many of the US players are an embarrassment. Arrogant, narcissistic, and dumb as rocks espousing anti-American beliefs.