Thomas Jolly, the out artistic director of the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony, has defended that queer tableau during the show that’s left people arguing for days over allusions to Christianity.
On Saturday morning (AEST), queens from Drag Race France joined a group of queer dancers and models hosted a fierce runway show to help inject a bit of life into the hours-long ceremony.
At one point during their segment, Drag Race France host Nicky Doll and some of the show’s queens gathered behind a long table.
In the centre was lesbian DJ Barbara Butch, with a halo over her head and her hands in a heart over her chest.
In front of them, a French actor was painted blue and covered in glitter, lying on a platter as the Greek god Dionysus.
Christians, Catholics and conservatives complained online about that part of the performance all weekend. Many said it “parodied” or “mocked” Christianity, specifically the iconic Renaissance painting The Last Supper.
However, Thomas Jolly told French channel BFMTV that for his part, The Last Supper wasn’t his inspiration for the tableau. That iconic Renaissance painting depicts Jesus’s last meal with the 12 apostles.
“It’s not my inspiration and that should be pretty obvious. There’s Dionysus arriving on a table,” Thomas said.
“Why is he there? First and foremost because he is the god of celebration in Greek mythology and the tableau is called ‘Festivity’.
“He is also the god of wine, which is also one of the jewels of France, and the father of Séquana, the goddess of the river Seine.
“The idea was to depict a big pagan celebration, linked to the gods of Olympus, and thus the Olympics.”
Olympics: The interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus makes us aware of the absurdity of violence between human beings. #Paris2024 #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/2vnMNrlmMi
— Paris 2024 Olympics (English) (@OlympicsParis) July 26, 2024
Jolly told BFMTV, “You will never find in me, or in my work, a desire to mock or denigrate anyone.
“My aim was to create a ceremony that heals and a ceremony that reconciles, but also a ceremony that reaffirms the values which are those of our Republic of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity freedom, and absolutely not to mock anyone.”
‘Demonic and deranged’ opening ceremony slammed
Some religious folk went against the grain and suggested the tableau was inspired by The Feast of the Gods by 17th century Dutch painter Jan van Bijlert.
“The Feast of the Gods” (1635) by Jan Harmensz van. This painting depicts the Olympian gods celebrating Thetis and Peleus wedding, with Apollo crowned at the center of the table (not Jesus) and Dionysus in the foreground.https://t.co/a6eEzz01ee pic.twitter.com/9hyYynJqSv
— Rev. Benjamin Cremer (@Brcremer) July 28, 2024
Here in Australia, the hot takes from conservatives, Christians and other commentators got pretty wild across the weekend.
Australian Senator Ralph Babet hurled ugly slurs online at those involved in the “demonic and deranged” performance.
Family First leader Lyle Shelton said the scene was “evil” and was part of a sinister plot to “destroy families”.
Sky News Australia commentator Joe Hildebrand said the French drag show would somehow impact Australian LGBTQIA+ law reform.
Ultimately, Olympic organisers issued an apology to religious groups.
“Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group,” a spokesperson told media in Paris.
“[The opening ceremony] tried to celebrate community tolerance. We believe this ambition was achieved.
“If people have taken any offence, we are really sorry.”
Nicky Doll’s simple message to Opening Ceremony critics
Drag Race France host Nicky Doll had a simple message for those who were left gagged by “seeing queerness on their screen”.
“It was my absolute honor to perform in front of billions of people around the world, and celebrate our olympians,” she said on Instagram.
“Remember, to the ones that had their feathers ruffled seeing queerness on their screen: WE AIN’T GOING NOWHERE.”
And the actor who played the naked blue man during the segment brushed off the backlash.
He’s French actor and singer Phillippe Katerine. Phillippe told Le Parisien he “suffered a lot” getting painted and glittered for the gig but he “loved it.”
“I’m proud. It’s my culture. We’re full of different people and everyone lives their own way and, above all, has the right to do so. I loved doing it,” he said.
“It wouldn’t be fun if there were no controversy. Wouldn’t it be boring if everyone agreed on this planet?
“Nudity is really the very origin of the Games. At first, they were naturist Olympics.”
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