Grotesque Is Too Grotesque for Viewers.

[witheygull]

Originally Posted by koontz1973

The BBFC does not have the power to ban films in the UK. It is there to give a guideline to ratings only. It is up to individual councils to ban a film.Over the last ten years, only 4 films have been not given a certificate (2 18, 2 R18). They gave Antichrist/ Baise Moi a 18 uncut because the violence and nudity was part of the story whereas this film seems to be nothing more the sick images.

I got to see Clockwork Orange, Last House on the Left AND Exorcist while they were still unclassified by the BBFC. Most films will eventually get a release some where, but the argument I want to see is how far do we go before we say no more. What constitutes as being to sick.

Your post prompted me to read the wikipedia article on the BBFC. You are correct in stating local councils have the authority for banning theatrical showings of a movie, but the BBFC's classification (or lack thereof) is what is ultimately binding for a film's eventual video release. If the Board refuses classification for a video release, then the selling of that movie is illegal and the film is effectively banned from distribution in any format other than theatrical film prints.

What constitutes being too sick, you ask. I think that is something that each person must determine for themselves. I can watch any fictional piece of violence and be fine with it, but I avoid images of real violence because they are often too troubling for me. I'm sure there are many people who refuse to see something like Grotesque, Saw, or Hostel because they believe it will be too violent for them, but then they turn around and watch real violence, such as the video of Nick Berg being decapitated, without batting an eye. I think that real violence is what is too sick and that fictional violence is a matter of taste.