Athens Acropolis museum hit by censorship row

Photos

Acropolis museum hit by censorhip row

see larger image

uploaded by Teacher Dude

Just months after its opening the Acropolis museum in Athens, Greece, has found itself embroiled in a row over censorship of the monument's turbulent history. Responding to calls by Archbishop Ieronymous, Greece's most senior religious leader, minister for culture, Antonis Samaras has ordered the removal of scenes from a short film depicting the turbulent story of the country's most recognisable landmark.

The short sequence which depicted 8th century icons of Greek Orthodox officials destroying parts of the Acropolis provoked the ire of top religious leaders and a demand that the film stop being shown in the museum.

The 13 minute movie, the work of Oscar winning film director, Costas Gavras has been part of the museum's exhibition since the building opened earlier this year. Gavras, who made Missing, The Music Box and Z said that he found it sad and unacceptable that  the Greek government would give in to the pressure by the church, adding that he had believed that the country had left behind such petty mindedness.