Safran threatened with deportation
John Safran was threatened with deportation and forced to sign an affidavit pledging not to use footage mocking crucifixion rituals.
- Published by David Knox
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More reports are emanating from The Philippines following John Safran’s crucifixion re-enactment.
According to local newspaper The Star he identified himself as John Michael, 36, a part-time student in a university in Melbourne who is working as an accountant.
Safran was nailed to the cross erected in front of a concrete stage in a basketball court beside a chapel. His ordeal took less than 30 seconds. As the re-enactment unfolded, he closed his eyes and opened his mouth wide as if shouting in pain, but no sound came out.
“I felt a little sting when I was nailed and I imagined that Christ suffered more when He was on the cross. He suffered more than a hundredfold than me,” he told local media.
But Christians were devastated to learn that it might be included in a TV satire.
One local said his producer said he was making a National Geographic style show about different religious practices.
Safran and his crew were threatened with deportation and forced to sign an affidavit pledging not to use footage mocking crucifixion rituals.
Advice went to the National Bureau of Investigation and the Manila airport security centre to hold the ABC crew if they failed to apologise.
On the weekend ABC Director of Television Kim Dalton was quoted as saying he supported Safran’s ” unique creative style through which he investigates serious issues.”
Source: The Australian, PhilStar
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9 Responses
I thought the ABC’s standards precluded them lying to obtain permission to film?
Yes its a stunt and he is a clown but that is the point and there is nothing wrong with that! Comedy comes in all shapes, sometimes a laph track and a studio set, sometimes satire. Sometimes its a place ubique and deviates from comedy alltogether when it gets serious. I hope the footage is shown because like the last episode of VS God, John Safran is a one-man-Chaser well before the current wave of chosing your own adventure and wars on things. He is a tallented satirist lisping his way into some of the best Tv on our screens. Thank Christ he left SBS which would nolonger be able to accomodate his style.
good to see he’s still got it – I for one can’t wait to see what he’s got up his sleeve
its a stunt!
cant he do other things to create interest??
He’s not taking the piss, and anyone who thinks he is is an idiot and clearly doesn’t know John Safran very well.
he is a clown!
Ahh, sTop him I should have said (But I hope they don’t sop him either lol).
I hope they don’t sop him. Safran is a great asset to religious television – satire or not. He’s certainly willing to put himself out there and test these rituals.
Censorship much?