11th May 2010 |
Lost in the Hood... |
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BBFC ban gay porn DVD
Permalink |
Thanks to Paul B
Based on
article from
bbfc.co.uk
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The BBFC
have banned a gay DVD submitted for an R18.
Few details are provided about the film but it is probably from the
Lost in the Hood series by Edward James
The BBFC explained their ban:
Lost in the Hood is a US sex work
focusing exclusively on the abduction and rape of a number of men. In
each scenario, we see the predatory male characters choose a victim who
appears to have become lost in the hood (ie a bad neighbourhood
in the United States). They then abduct their chosen victim and force
him to engage in sexual acts with them against his will. Each scene
places a strong emphasis on the non consensual nature of the sex, with
the victims pleading to be released, showing discomfort and making
unsuccessful attempts to escape. Similarly, the perpetrators display a
high level of physical and verbal aggression. By presenting the
spectacle of sexual violence within the context of an explicit sex work,
whose primary intention is to sexually arouse the viewer, Lost in the
Hood has the effect of eroticising and endorsing sexual violence in a
potentially harmful fashion.
In making a decision as to whether a video work
is suitable for classification, the Board applies the criteria set out
in its current Classification Guidelines, published in 2009. These are
the result of an extensive process of public consultation and research
and reflect the balance of media effects research, the requirements of
UK law and the attitudes of the UK public. The Board's Guidelines
clearly reflect the serious concerns that exist about the portrayal of
sexual violence.
The Guidelines for the R18 category
requested for this video work state that the following content is not
acceptable: material (including dialogue) likely to encourage an
interest in sexually abusive activity (for example [...] rape),the
portrayal of any sexual activity which involves lack of consent (whether
real or simulated),any sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which does
not form part of a clearly consenting role-playing game. Strong physical
or verbal abuse, even if consensual, is unlikely to be acceptable.
Under the heading of Compulsory Cuts, the Board's Guidelines
identify as of particular concern sexual violence or sexualised
violence which endorses or eroticises the behaviour. Additionally,
under the heading of Violence, the Board's Guidelines state that
A strict policy on sexual violence and rape is applied. Content which
might eroticise or endorse sexual violence may require cuts at any
classification level [...] Any association of sex with non-consensual
restraint, pain or humiliation may be cut.
Of course, the Board will always seek to deal
with such concerns by means of cuts or other modifications when this is
a feasible option. However, under the heading of Rejects our
Guidelines state that If the central concept of a work is
unacceptable (for example, a sex work with a rape theme), or if the
changes required would be extensive or complex, the work may be
rejected, ie refused a classification at any category.
It is the Board's carefully considered view
that to issue a certificate to this work, even if confined to adults,
would be inconsistent with the Board's Guidelines, would risk potential
harm within the terms of the VRA, and would be unacceptable to the
public.
The Board considered whether its concerns could
be dealt with through cuts. However, given that the central concept of
the work is unacceptable and that the unacceptable content runs
throughout the work, cuts are not a viable option in this case and the
work is therefore refused a classification.
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8th March 2010 |
My Daughter's a Censor... |
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BBFC add explanation for banned porn DVD
Permalink |
Thanks to Paul B
See
article
from
bbfc.co.uk
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My
Daughter's a Cocksucker is a 2006 US adult DVD by Bobbi Rinaldi
With Daisy Marie, Sierra Sinn, Vixen, Kylee King, Chloe Morgan, Carly Kaleb,
Megan Joy, Morgan Simpson and Mischa Mckinnon.
It was banned by the BBFC in September 2009.
The BBFC have now added an explanation for their ban:
My Daughter's A Cocksucker is an
explicit sex work featuring a number of very similar scenes in which
young women perform acts of fellatio on men (shot so their faces are not
seen) while frequently looking into the camera and asking questions of
the viewer such as are you proud of me now Daddy, Am I a good
little cocksucker daddy?, My older sister isn't as good as this,
is she daddy? Mommy taught me well, Am I good enough to teach the
little sister? and are you jacking off to your little princess?.
The female performers also make comments to the viewer such as Daddy
always likes it when I choke , Daddy told me to do it just like
this and Daddy always said a wet blow job's the best blow job.
The context makes it clear that Daddy is
being used to refer to a familial relationship and not as mere term of
endearment for an older lover. The Board's judgement is that in this
work the dialogue encourages the male viewer to be aroused by, among
other things, the idea of instructing and watching his daughter in the
act of fellatio. This effect is potentially heightened by the
implication that the daughter also finds this paternal interest
arousing. The Board has concluded that such sequences constitute
material (including dialogue) likely to encourage an interest in
sexually abusive activity (for example, paedophilia, incest or rape)…
The work also features a number of sequences
(including in the bonus scene, which does not feature dialogue of
the nature described above) in which women gag and choke during deep
throat fellatio while their heads are firmly held by the male
performer, preventing them from easily ending the activity. The evident
discomfort of the female performer is presented as, at best, an
irrelevance or, at worst, as a feature designed to heighten the arousal
of some viewers. In the view of the Board these sequences also
constitute material […] likely to encourage an interest in sexually
abusive activity.
It is therefore the Board's carefully
considered view that to issue a certificate to this work, even if
confined to adults and supplied to them only in licensed sex shops,
would be inconsistent with the Board's Guidelines, would risk potential
harm and would be unacceptable to the public. The Board considered
whether its concerns could be dealt with through cuts. However, it
concluded that a central concept of the work was unacceptable and that
the cuts required to remove all the unacceptable content would be
extensive.
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21st August 2009 |
Grotesque... |
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BBFC ban Japanese horror film
Permalink |
19th August 2009. Thanks to Gav
See
article
from
bbfc.co.uk
See also
Brits ban ho-hum-sounding flick
from
newhorror.wordpress.com
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Grotesque
(Gurotesuku) is a 2009 Japan horror film by Kôji Shiraishi
The BBFC have banned the 2009 4Digital Media DVD. The Japanese
Unrated Version was submitted.
See
review from
IMDb: Pointless torture movies
The new wave snuff films (or rebirth of 70's
uber violent films) are just not my taste... this movie is a prime
example of these pointless torture movies, While in context the aspect
of torture in a horror film i.e. Saw, Hellraiser, Texas chainsaw (the
original) etc... works great because it's bad people getting their come
up-pence or just a cautionary of the cruelty of man but this film is
just a fictionalized snuff film with no story what so ever. Watching
people getting brutally killed (particularly those who were just there)
for the bulk of the movie then.... "the end" after some silly f/x does
nothing for me except feeling a little dirty for watching this piece of
trash.
If you a fan of Devils rejects, Vacancy and the like check it out but if
you are like me a little and like at least a little mental stimulation
with your gore fix skip this one.
Update:
Film censors explain their case
20th August 2009. From
bbfc.co.uk
Bbfc Rejects Sexually Violent Japanese
Horror Dvd
The BBFC has rejected the DVD Grotesque. This
means that it cannot be legally supplied anywhere in the UK. The
decision was taken by the Director, David Cooke and the Presidential
Team of Sir Quentin Thomas, Alison Hastings and Gerard Lemos.
Grotesque is a feature that focuses for the majority of its running time
on the sexual assault, humiliation and extreme torture of a male and
female victim. The central character abducts, restrains, strips and
masturbates both the man and the woman. After this he inflicts grave
injuries on the restrained couple, including amputation, eye gouging,
castration and evisceration. The torture becomes even more extreme,
leading to the gory and violent death of both hostages. The film ends
with the killer choosing his next victims.
David Cooke, Director of the BBFC said: “Unlike other recent ‘torture’
themed horror works, such as the Saw and Hostel series, Grotesque
features minimal narrative or character development and presents the
audience with little more than an unrelenting and escalating scenario of
humiliation, brutality and sadism. The chief pleasure on offer seems to
be in the spectacle of sadism (including sexual sadism) for its own
sake.
“It is the Board’s carefully considered view that to issue a certificate
to Grotesque, even if statutorily confined to adults, would involve risk
of harm within the terms of the Video Recordings Act, would be
inconsistent with the Board’s Guidelines, and would be unacceptable to
the public. The BBFC has a strict policy on sexual violence. With
portrayals of sexual violence which might eroticise or endorse sexual
assault the Board may require cuts at any classification level.
“Rejecting a work outright is a serious matter and the Board considered
whether the issue could be dealt with through cuts. However, given the
unacceptable content featured throughout cutting the work is not a
viable option in this case and the work is therefore refused a
classification.”
“Rejecting a work outright is a serious matter and the Board considered
whether the issue could be dealt with through cuts. However, given the
unacceptable content featured throughout cutting the work is not a
viable option in this case and the work is therefore refused a
classification.”
Note:
The Video Recordings Act makes clear that harm is not to be interpreted
narrowly as behavioural harm, but may also include more insidious risks,
and the Board follows this approach in having regard to, for instance,
moral harm and possible desensitisation. The correct legal definition of
the harm test was clarified by Mr Justice Mitting in his ruling of 24
January 2008 at the High Court. In that ruling he stated that ‘The task
of the Board [...] is to have special regard to any harm that may in
future be caused to potential viewers’. The Act also makes clear that
harm is not the only issue to be weighed in the balance.
Update:
Grotesque Censorship
21st August 2009. Based on
article
from
businesswire.com
A spokesperson for the distributor, 4Digital Asia, expressed surprise
at the outright rejection of the Grotesque, stating, We knew
that the BBFC was debating the content of the film quite intensely but
we had expected to receive from the BBFC a list of recommended cuts
enabling the film to be passed with an 18 certificate. We are now
considering whether or not to appeal against the Board’s decision.
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10th April 2009 |
I Am Not a Number... |
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BBFC bans BDSM video NF713
Permalink |
6th April 2009. Based on article from
bbfc.co.uk
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NF713
is a BDSM video by China Hamilton (Mista Solutions)
Rejected in 2009 with the BBFC justification:
NF713 takes the form of an extended
sequence in which a man tortures a woman psychologically, physically and
sexually. The woman is bound and restrained throughout and the man in
question is in a position of absolute power and control over her. The
man tortures the woman in order to make her confess her crimes against
an unnamed 'State' but his ultimate aim is to break her down and make
her fully compliant, eradicating her individuality and making her a mere
number, 'NF713'. The man employs a variety of techniques ranging from
invasive questioning about her body and her sexual life to genital
torture with forceps and electricity, makeshift waterboarding, beatings
and forced urination. The torture is unremitting and takes up the
majority of the work's 73 minute running time. Throughout large sections
the woman is naked or semi-naked and her nudity is focussed upon,
particularly in the later portions of the work. The work concludes with
a series of black and white stills of the woman, bound and restrained.
In the BBFC's view, the primary purpose of NF713 is to sexually arouse
the viewer at the sight of a woman being sexually humiliated, tortured
and abused. As such it constitutes a 'sex work', which is defined by the
BBFC's Guidelines as a work whose 'primary purpose is sexual arousal or
stimulation'. The focus on the woman's naked, humiliated body together
with the conventional BDSM aspects of the later part of the work lend
credence to the view that sexual arousal is its primary intent, as do
the closing series of black and white stills which strongly resemble
conventional erotic fetish photography. The BBFC operates a strict
policy on sex works and does not issue classification to such works if
they depict non consensual sexual activity (whether real or simulated),
the infliction of pain or physical harm (whether real or simulated) or
sexual threats, humiliation or abuse that do not form part of a clearly
consenting role-playing game. NF713focuses exclusively on these elements
of non-consensual activity, pain, humiliation and abuse and takes the
form of a dramatic scenario in which the viewer is invited to believe
that what is being shown is 'real'. Unlike many BDSM works it is not
apparent that what is occurring is part of a consensual role play where
the roles are clearly set out and, in any case, the Guidelines preclude
the kind of strong abuse on offer here, even if consent is established.
Even if one were to take the view that the primary purpose of NF713
is to explore the nature of torture in dramatic form, the work would
still be in clear breach of the BBFC's Guidelines and policies on sexual
violence. The unbroken sequence of sexual torture and humiliation means
that the work runs the risk (whether intentionally or unintentionally)
of eroticising sexual violence and thereby causing harm to viewers. The
work invites the audience to relish sight of – and be sexually aroused
by - a restrained and helpless woman being sexually molested, humiliated
and tortured. Such a complete focus on sexual violence, together with
the elements of eroticism provided by the nudity and semi-nudity of the
female victim, runs a real risk of eroticising sexual violence in a
potentially harmful and dangerous manner.
The BBFC considered the possibility of cuts. However, given the extent
of unacceptable material and the pervasive theme of sexual violence and
sexual threat, cuts were not considered a viable option on this
occasion.
See
article
from
nikiflynn.com:
I am Not a Number
I’ve just spent the last few days being
tortured and interrogated for Control & Reform Productions. The film is
called Enemy of the State [Since renamed to NF713] and it’s the
dark brainchild of China Hamilton and me.
It’s somewhere between Closet Land and 1984 - but with no
faking of the torture scenes. It’s set in a non-specific police state
and I’ve been arrested for distributing anti-State pamphlets. As
such, I no longer warrant a name; I’m simply NF-713. My soft-spoken
interrogator gradually convinces me to cooperate through various kind
and caring methods, as he only wants to help me. Help comes
in various forms, as does corrective treatment:
Bastinado, back whipping, breast whipping, electric shocks,
hydrotherapy, medical torture, brainwashing, force-feeding… Except
for the use of a small whip in one scene, my bottom was actually spared.
(How’s that for a first?) I was wrecked by the end of the shoot, still
crying after the cameras stopped rolling.
Niki Flynn also
speaks at length about the BBFC rejection notice:
R is for “rejected”
The British Board of Film Censors has just
examined my naked, humiliated body in exhaustive detail and
declared it potentially harmful and dangerous.
While I’m not too surprised the film didn’t get an 18 certificate, I’m
actually fairly disturbed by some of the alarmist language in the
rejection note.
The note describes the unremitting torture
inflicted throughout the film, making it sound far worse and more
graphic than it actually is. Frankly, in the cut submitted to the BBFC
there is very little actual abuse shown and the focus is mostly on the
psychological aspects of interrogation and the resulting Stockholm
Syndrome. But they felt its primary intent was to sexually arouse the
viewer and as such it’s a sex work and the non-consensuality
makes it unsuitable for the British public, who are apparently likely to
become rapists and torturers after viewing such a dangerous film.
...Read the full
article
Update:
Is Obscenity Law undermined by extreme porn?
10th April 2009. Thanks to Alan who commented:
Slight oddity - they don't seem to realise that it has always been legal
(except kiddy porn and now "extreme" porn) to own films that aren't
classified and thus can't be legally distributed.
See
article
from
theregister.co.uk
by John Ozimek
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)
have issued a rare rejection notice for a disturbing and realistic
DVD called NF713.
A spokeswoman for the BBFC denied that the decision was in any way
influenced by the new extreme porn law, adding that they did not feel it
breached that legislation in any way. Opponents of that law immediately
questioned whether the government had not now created an impossible
legal position, according to which certain material that was not illegal
to possess was nonetheless illegal to publish.
...Read full
article
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19th August 2008 |
The Texas Vibrator Massacre Banned... |
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Adults trusted to watch horror but not porn viewers
Permalink |
From the
BBFC
The Texas Vibrator Massacre is available uncut from
Adult Video Universe
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2008
US sex/horror hardcore video by Rob Rotten
With Roxi Devill, Seth Dickens, Jamie Elle, Ruby Knox, Rob Rotten, Eric
Swiss, Daisy Tanks, Jack Vegas
Banned by the BBFC in 2008 with the following statement:
The BBFC has rejected the DVD The Texas
Vibrator Massacre which means that it cannot be legally supplied
anywhere in the UK.
The Texas Vibrator Massacre takes the form of a sex work (that is to say
a work whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation) based
loosely upon the notorious 1974 horror film, The Texas Chain Saw
Massacre. In the majority of its scenes the work eroticises sexual and
sexualised violence to a highly significant degree and, although
self-consciously excessive in nature, the conflation throughout of
sexually arousing material with credible violence, forced sex and
sadistic sexual threat gives rise to a serious and sustained breach of
the Board's sexual violence policy. In addition, the scenes of simulated
incest between brother and sister are in clear breach of the Board's
Guidelines for sex works, which prohibit 'material (including dialogue)
likely to encourage an interest in a sexually abusive activity (eg
paedophillia, incest, rape)'.
The BBFC’s Guidelines identify as of particular concern 'graphic rape or
torture', 'sadistic violence or terrorisation' and 'sex accompanied by
non-consensual pain, injury or humiliation'. Furthermore, the Board's
'R18' Guidelines, which apply equally to 'sex works' at '18', state that
the following elements are unacceptable: 'the portrayal of any sexual
activity which involves lack of consent (whether real or simulated)',
'the infliction of pain or physical harm, real or (in a sexual context)
simulated' and 'any sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which does not
form part of a clearly consenting role-playing game'.
It is the Board’s carefully considered view that to issue a certificate
to this work, even if confined to adults, would be inconsistent with the
Board’s Guidelines, would risk potential harm within the terms of the
VRA, and would be unacceptable to the public.
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15th March 2008 |
Entirely Unsuitable for theBBFC... |
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Manhunt 2 given 18 certificate after success at reconvened appeal
Permalink |
From the
BBFC
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The
cut M rated version has been passed uncut after a successful appeal to
the reconvened Video Appeals Committee:
The BBFC issued the following
press release:
The Video Appeals Committee announced that the
result of their reconsideration of the Manhunt 2 appeal remains that the
appeal against the rejection of the work by the BBFC is upheld.
The Board’s decision to refuse a certificate to Manhunt 2 was
successfully challenged on appeal to the Video Appeals Committee. The
Board challenged the VAC’s decision by way of Judicial Review before the
High Court, which quashed the decision on grounds of errors of law. The
VAC has now reconsidered the appeal in the light of the High Court’s
directions on the law but has decided, again by a majority of four to
three, to allow the appeal on the basis that Manhunt 2 should be given
an ‘18’ certificate.
In the light of legal advice the Board does not believe the VAC’s
judgement provides a realistic basis for a further challenge to its
decision and has accordingly issued an ‘18’ certificate.
David Cooke, Director of the BBFC said: As I have said previously, we
never take rejection decisions lightly, and they always involve a
complex balance of considerations. We twice rejected Manhunt 2, and then
pursued a judicial review challenge, because we considered, after
exceptionally thorough examination, that it posed a real potential harm
risk. However, the Video Appeals Committee has again exercised its
independent scrutiny. It is now clear, in the light of this decision,
and our legal advice, that we have no alternative but to issue an ‘18’
certificate to the game.
The BBFC also provided a statement about the 18 certificate:
MANHUNT 2 is a violent action game based on a
psychological-horror theme. The player takes on the role of Daniel Lamb,
a seemingly disturbed patient in a mental facility, who escapes from the
institution in an effort to discover who he really is. As he progresses
through various environments collecting clues and information about his
identity, he is confronted by numerous thugs employed by "The Project";
a secretive experimental organisation, whom he must either evade or kill
in order to ensure his own survival.
MANHUNT 2 has been classified '18' for very strong bloody and sadistic
violence, which takes the form of stealth executions. In order to
successfully despatch a target, the player-character must creep up
behind the victim quietly and kill before he is discovered. The killings
are achieved through a number of common items such as syringes, glass
shards, pens, crowbars, spades, power-saws, clubs, baseball bats, axes,
pliers and, later on in the game, firearms. Each killing is graphically
portrayed as a brief video scene where weapons are seen to impact on
various parts of the victim's body coupled to realistic sound effects
and blood spurts. The cumulative effect of these killings creates a very
strong impression of almost continuous violence and horror which is too
strong to be contained at any category below '18'. The game is entirely
unsuitable for anyone below this age.
Rockstar Pleased
See
full article from GamesIndustry.biz
Rockstar is now working towards a new release date for the title in
the UK.
We are pleased that the VAC has reaffirmed its decision recognizing
that Manhunt 2 is well within the bounds established by other 18-plus
rated entertainment, a company statement read.
The version of the game to be released in the UK has been confirmed as
the cut version currently available in the US under a Mature rating -
the version which was rejected by the BBFC the second time around.
A Rockstar spokesperson told GamesIndustry.biz that due to the news of
the VAC's decision only breaking earlier today, no official decision had
yet been made on a release date, but discussions were expected to take
place shortly.
Government Staying Out of It
See
full article from GamesIndustry.biz
The UK government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport has told
GamesIndustry.biz that it has no plans at the moment to intervene in the
planned release of Manhunt 2 in the UK.
"The classification of Manhunt 2 is a matter for the BBFC and the Video
Appeals Committee," said a spokesperson, after today's news that the VAC
had reaffirmed its decision to back Rockstar in an appeal over the
BBFC's refusal to certify the game.
"It is important to note that there is no conclusive evidence of any
link between playing computer games and violent behaviour in real life,"
the spokesperson continued. "Our concern is to make sure that
inappropriate material is kept away from children.
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28th February 2008 |
Set Pieces Murdered... |
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BBFC ban Murder Set Pieces
Permalink |
See
full article from the
BBFC
The region 0 Director's Cut DVD is available via
US Amazon
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Murder
Set Pieces is a 2004 US horror film by Nick Palumbo (TLA Releasing)
The Director's Cut was banned by the BBFC when submitted in 2008 with
the following statement:
Murder Set Pieces is a US made feature
focussing on the activities of a psychopathic sexual serial killer, who,
throughout the film, is seen raping, torturing and murdering his
victims. There is a clear focus on sex or sexual behaviour accompanied
by non-consensual pain, injury and humiliation. Young children are among
those terrorised and killed.
In making a decision as to whether a video work is suitable for
classification, the Board applies the criteria set out in its current
Classification Guidelines, published in 2005. These are the result of an
extensive process of public consultation and research and reflect the
balance of media effects research, the requirements of UK law and the
attitudes of the UK public. The Board’s Guidelines clearly set out the
Board’s serious concerns about the portrayal of violence, most
especially when the violence is sexual or sexualised, but also when
depictions portray or encourage: callousness towards victims, aggressive
attitudes, or taking pleasure in pain or humiliation.
The Guidelines for the ‘18’ category requested for this video work state
that such concerns 'will not normally override the wish that adults
should be free to choose their own entertainment' but make clear that
exceptions to this general rule may be made in certain areas, including
'where material or treatment appears to the Board to risk harm to
individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – eg any detailed
portrayal of violent or dangerous acts… [and that the Board] may
intervene with portrayals of sexual violence which might, eg eroticise
or endorse sexual assault'. Under the heading of 'Rejects', the
Guidelines identify as of particular concern 'graphic rape or torture',
'portrayals of children in a sexualised or abusive context' and 'sex
accompanied by non-consensual pain, injury or humiliation'.
The Board’s position that scenes of violence with the potential to
trigger sexual arousal may encourage a harmful association between
violence and sexual gratification is reflected in research and
consistent with public opinion. It is the Board’s carefully considered
view that to issue a certificate to MURDER-SET-PIECES, even if
statutorily confined to adults, would involve risk of harm within the
terms of the Video Recordings Act 1984, would be inconsistent with the
Board’s Guidelines, and would be unacceptable to the public.
The Board considered whether the issue could be dealt with through cuts.
However, given the unacceptable content features throughout, and that
what remains is essentially preparatory and set-up material for the
unacceptable scenes, cuts are not a viable option in this case and the
work is therefore refused a classification.
From
IMDb
The Lion's Gate Films "R" rated version of "Murder-Set-Pieces" was
released on January 9th, 2007, and it is cut and edited by 23 minutes.
No other film in the history of cinema has had to have that many minutes
cut to avoid the "NC-17" rating.
Review from
IMDb:
Very, very overrated serial killer flick that
has been compared to Maniac, Last House on Dead End Street
and New York Ripper. Some reviewers have claimed that it is
better than these three films.
It is not. It is gory in a juvenile, over-the-top kind of way and the
coverage of some of the murders is adequate, but it is incredibly
fragmented, totally devoid of characterization and plot development and,
overall, amateurish in its execution.
None of the performances are believable -- not even Sven Garrett's.
The special effects are reasonably realistic, but they're too overlit
and obvious to be truly disturbing.
Some context and character development would have helped immeasurably.
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