The
BBFC has passed Lars Von Trier’s latest film, Antichrist, ‘18’ uncut. The
film contains images of strong real sex, bloody violence and self mutilation.
The BBFC Guidelines for ‘18’ rated works state that the more explicit images of
sexual activity will not be allowed unless they can be exceptionally justified
by context and the work is not a ‘sex work’ whose primary purpose is sexual
arousal. For these purposes Antichrist is very clearly not a ‘sex work’.
The film also contains some bloody and violent images, including a scene of
genital mutilation. The Board knows of no research evidence which suggests that
the viewing of this scene would raise a significant risk of harm to adult
viewers or to society, or which would otherwise justify intervention. There is,
therefore, no basis for an exception to the principle, repeatedly endorsed in
public consultations, that adults should normally be free to choose what films
to watch or not watch.
The film was seen by the Director, David Cooke, the President, Sir Quentin
Thomas and Vice President, Gerard Lemos. David Cooke said:
"Antichrist deals with what happens to a couple after the
death of their child, focussing on the psychological impact on them both. The
film does not contain material which breaches the law or poses a significant
harm risk to adults. The sexual imagery, while strong, is relatively brief, and
the Board has since 1990 passed a number of works containing such images. This
reflects the principle, strongly endorsed in a number of public consultations,
that adults should be free to decide for themselves what to watch or what not to
watch, provided it is neither illegal nor harmful.
"There is no doubt that some viewers will find the images disturbing and
offensive, but the BBFC’s Consumer Advice provides a clear warning to enable
individuals to make an informed viewing choice. And this is now backed up by
detailed Extended Consumer Advice on our website".
See also
Extended Classification Information
from
bbfc.co.uk:
Antichrist
is an English language drama from director Lars von Trier. It tells the
story of a couple trying to come to terms with the death of their young son.
After the mother experiences a mental breakdown, they retreat to an isolated
cabin in the woods where the child's father, a therapist, hopes to help the
mother to confront her fears. The film was classified '18' for strong real sex,
bloody violence and self-mutilation.
At '18', the BBFC's Guidelines state that the more explicit images of sexual
activity are unlikely to be permitted unless they can be exceptionally justified
by context and the work is not a 'sex work'. A 'sex work' is defined as a work
whose 'primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation'. It is clear that
ANTICHRIST is not a 'sex work' but a serious drama exploring issues such as
grief, loss, guilt and fear. The brief images of explicit real sex (sight of a
penis penetrating a vagina during a consensual sex scene and sight of the man's
penis being masturbated to climax) are exceptionally justified, in this context,
by the manner in which they illustrate the film's themes and the nature of the
couple's relationship. Their relationship is depicted throughout in a graphic
and unflinching fashion, both psychologically and physically. The BBFC has
permitted comparable explicit images in a number of previous features at the
'18' level (eg L'EMPIRE DES SENS, 9 SONGS, SHORTBUS and Lars von Trier's earlier
film, THE IDIOTS) where it has been clear that the purpose of the work - and the
individual images in question - is not simply to arouse viewers but to
illustrate characters, relationships and themes.
ANTICHRIST also contains two scenes showing violence towards genitals or genital
mutilation. In one case, the man's genitals are hit heavily (although this is
not shown on screen), resulting in sight of blood in his semen when he
ejaculates. In the other case, the distraught woman cuts off her own clitoris
using a pair of scissors. This act of self-mutilation is shown in close up,
although the image is only on screen for a few seconds. The shot in question
exceeds the BBFC's Guidelines at '15', where 'the strongest gory images are
unlikely to be acceptable' and where 'violence may be strong but may not dwell
on the infliction of pain or injury'. Even at '18' the BBFC recognises that the
scene will be shocking and offensive to some viewers. However, the Board is
aware of no evidence to suggest that the viewing of this scene is likely to be
harmful to adults. The scene is not presented in an eroticised or attractive
manner and is not likely to encourage emulation or arousal. Accordingly, the
scene is acceptable at '18' where, in line with the consistent findings of the
BBFC's public consultations, the BBFC's Guideline concerns will not normally
override the wish that adults should be free to chose their own entertainment,
within the law.
The film contains other examples of strong violence, including a scene in which
the woman drills a hole through the man’s leg with a bit and brace before
bolting a large grindstone to the injured limb. Once again, although the scene
exceeds the rubric of the '15' Guidelines, it was not felt to be harmful to
adult viewers. The film also contains scenes of strong simulated sex, including
female masturbation. These scenes exceed the '15' Guideline test that 'Sexual
activity may be portrayed but without strong detail' but are acceptable at the
'18' level.
Antichrist also includes a single use of strong language.