Kevin Smith shared that he received death threats over his 1999 comedy film Dogma. The fourth film in Smith’s View Askewniverse series deals with religious themes and Catholicism. Singer Alanis Morissette even played Smith’s version of God in the film.
While talking with EWSmith mentioned about his films, incl Clerks (1994) and Mallrats (1995). When talking about DogmaSmith said the film received thousands of angry letters due to the film’s religious theme. This included receiving three death threats. Smith’s full quote about the angry reaction to the film can be found below:
“[Dogma] Was my fourth motion picture, and I almost got killed over it. 400,000 pieces of hate mail and three bona fide death threats.”
Dogma was another personal story from Kevin Smith
The filmmaker has spoken many times about the development of Catholicism
Having grown up Catholic himself, Smith tapped into that experience DogmaUse it to comment on topics of faith and organized religion. In addition to Morissette as God, the film featured Ben Affleck and Matt Damon as fallen angels and the movie’s villains, as well as a star-studded cast including Linda Fiorentino, Salma Hayek, Jason Lee, Alan Rickman, Chris Rock, and George Carlin. Jason Mewes and Smith would also reprise their iconic characters of Jay and Silent Bob, this time as prophets.
Many of Smith’s best films were those that told personal stories from his life. Clerks Talked about his feelings of working in a convenience store before becoming a filmmaker. Clerks IIIThe latest installment in the View Askewniverse, Randal Graves dealt with a heart attack, something Smith himself experienced in 2018. The film also showed Randal making a movie of his own that is similar to the first Clerks Movie. Smith’s latest film, The 4:30 movieIs also a personal story for the director, because it is a nostalgic look to go to the movies in the 1980s. It was even filmed in Smith’s childhood movies, which he now co-owns.
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The angry response to Dogma Over its religious theme led to more than hate mail and death threats, however. Due to the controversy that ensued, the film was purchased and is now personally owned by disgraced former film producers Harvey Weinstein and Bob Weinstein. The Weinsteins were the founders of Miramax, which first spread Clerks And Chasing Amy. Dogma Being personally owned by the Weinsteins is why the movie is no longer available on home video or available to watch on any streaming service.
Our take on the controversy of dogma
A shame to see the reaction Smith received for telling a story
Since Smith grew up Catholic, it’s a shame that a movie about a subject so personal to the filmmaker led to such controversy. Smith even teased the film during the end credits of Clerksby announcing that Jay and Silent Bob would appear DogmaShows that he has been thinking about making this movie for some time. Despite the film creating controversy, Smith was able to have fun with it. While the film was protested by a small group, Smith joined them, He despises himself for being a protester. He was even interviewed by a local TV news channel, and claimed that he was not the director of the film.
Source: EW