Buddhists Lodge Complaint Against U.S. Film Poster

September 28, 2004

Source: Canada.com

Wire Service: AP

http://www.canada.com/entertainment/story.html?id=44f5f104-fbce-4c78-80c3-8177458dab68

On September 28, 2004 the Associated Press reported, "The Cambodian government lodged a complaint Tuesday with the U.S. Embassy about a Hollywood movie promotional poster depicting a man sitting on the head of a Buddha statue. Many in the predominantly Buddhist country find the advertisement offensive, said Religious Affairs Minister Khun Haing, who presented a letter of complaint to U.S. Ambassador Charles Ray. In Buddhism, the head is considered the most sacred part of the body, and touching it is considered insulting. The movie, Hollywood Buddha, has not been released in Cambodia and none of the posters have been distributed here. Controversy surrounding the image was sparked after local media reported on the posters ahead of its release elsewhere. Thailand and Sri Lanka have lodged similar complaints."