Church
leaders have vowed to screen a controversial film
about a terrorist atrocity amid accusations of
insensitivity.
The Glasgow West End Action of Churches Together
intend to show One Day in September as part of
a film festival at the city’s university.
The 1999 documentary, which attracted criticism
but won an Oscar, chronicled the massacre of Israeli
athletes by Palestinian terrorists at the 1972
Munich Olympics.
The film will be shown at Gilmorehill Cinema at
Glasgow University as part of a five week festival
aimed at exploring the media and public’s
attitudes towards violence. The decision to show
One Day in September was made prior to the 11
September suicide hijackings in New York and Washington,
and will be followed by a public debate.
Last night, critics condemned the timing of the
planned screening as offensive and inflammatory.
Glasgow City Councillor Bashir Mann, a Muslim
community leader, said: "It’s grossly
insensitive to show a film of this nature at this
time. It could deeply offend people and it could
also inflame tensions between Muslims and Christians.
"We need to be building bridges between the
faiths at the moment."
MSP Mike Russell, the SNP’s culture spokesman,
said: "I do not want to tell people what
they can and cannot see or show at a cinema, but
I feel the timing of showing this particular film
may be a little insensitive."
However, Blair Robertson, a spokesman for Wellington
Church in the city’s West End, who is organising
the festival, defended the timing of the screening.
He said: "I admit that the choice of title
is very unfortunate in the light of what happened.
I would apologise to anyone in advance who may
be offended or consider the screening of the film
offensive in light of the circumstances.
"We feel showing it may be a very constructive
thing and open up the debate about terrorism."
The Very Rev Professor Robert Davidson said he
was happy to speak at the event.
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Church
leaders have vowed to screen a controversial film
about a terrorist atrocity amid accusations of
insensitivity.