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BBC News Online: Entertainment


Monday, 26 February, 2001, 16:44 GMT

Censors snip French shocker


A scene from Baise-Moi
Baise-Moi caused controversy in France
Film censors have cut a shot from a violent rape scene in a French film ahead of its release in the UK.

Baise-Moi caused outrage when it was released in France and was temporarily withdrawn from cinemas.


" We regret, however, the necessity to censor part of a film directed at a mature adult audience "
British Board of Film Classification

The film follows two women who go on a rampage of sex and violence after one of them is raped.

It has now been given an 18 certificate by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) who felt the film in its original form was not suitable even for R18 porn films.

In one scene in the film a man is stamped to death by a woman wearing high heels after he is picked up for sex.

'Sexual imagery'

The BBFC said of the removed shot: "Its extreme sexual imagery is unmatched elsewhere in the rape scene.

A scene from Amores Perros

"Without it, the sequence remains a compelling portrayal of the ugliness and horror of rape. With it, the scene takes on a more explicitly pornographic dimension and is a matter of serious concern."

But the censors said they had made their decision with reservations.

"We regret, however, the necessity to censor part of a film directed at a mature adult audience who may reasonably expect to make up their own minds about it," the organisation said.

The film contains several graphic sexual images but the BBFC pointed out that none of them are associated with rape or violence.

'Serious concern'

"It is also relevant that the two female protagonists remain in control of events - the most serious concern identified by effects research, which is male sexual aggression, is not an issue in the rest of the film," the BBFC said.

Last year the BBFC relaxed rules on 18-rated films, embracing a more liberal approach where audiences are allowed to make up their own minds.

Another controversial film, the Oscar-nominated Amores Perros, has been passed uncut after complaints about dog fighting scenes.

The BBFC has given it an 18 rating after being satisfied that no animals were harmed in the making of the Mexican movie.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was among organisations concerned about the scenes.

The film has been nominated for a best foreign language film Oscar.


Related to this story:
Whitehouse against censorship changes (19 Feb 01 | Entertainment) Censors relax film guidelines (14 Sep 00 | Entertainment) Green light for porn films (22 May 00 | UK) Whitehouse attacks 'Viagra' panto (14 Dec 99 | Entertainment) Censorship: What falls to the cutting room floor? (10 Nov 99 | e-cyclopedia) Fight Club bruised by censors (10 Nov 99 | Entertainment)


Internet links: Amores Perros | British Board of Film Classification |
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