The Farmer's Daughter 

Dir Zebedy Colt / 1976 / USA

This was due to be shown at the 8th Melbourne Underground Film Festival in 2007. 

Melbourne Underground Film Festival 8
Program Notes
Zebedy Colt Double feature: Sex Wish and The Farmer’s Daughter 

Two short features (absolute 70s erotica classics) from Zebedy Colt aka Edward Earle Marsh. Sex Wish features a cool electronic soundtrack as Zebedy plays a rapist who breaks into women’s homes with a bag of unusual tricks. Zebedy’s performance is truly bizarre… Then comes The Farmer’s Daughter - clocking in at one hour in length, it’s sort of an erotic version of Last House on the Left. Look out for cheap and nasty sex scenes about home invasion, incest and violation. There’s also an early appearance from comedian and political commentator Spalding Gray getting up to no good… This is true Psychopathology, raw 70s style! 
9pm Sat 29 Sept 
LOOP

It was scrapped after the OFLC's Amy Wooding refused to grant it, and six other features film festival exemptions. This is not the first time that MUFF has ran into problems with the censors. In 2004 the OFLC demanded that The Toolbox Murders (1978),  Wife to be Sacrificed,  and Za Ginipiggu 1 and 2 be pulled from the festival.

The Melbourne Underground Film Festival issued the following press release on September 20th 2007.

MUFF 8 films banned! 
September 20th 2007

The Following films have been banned from the OFLC: 

70k 
Schulmädchen-Report: Was Eltern nicht für möglich halten (aka The Schoolgirl Report) 
Sex Wish 
The Farmer's Daughter 
Ashley & Kisha: Finding the Right Fit 
Whore 
60 Second Relief 

We will replacing them with other films from the MUFF program. 

This Sunday 70k will be replaced with a second screening of Streetsweeper… a good MUFF Neu that we can play. Whore and 60 Second Relief are withdrawn and nothing will fill their place. The Other films will be replaced. More details on Monday. 

Will the media even cover this? Do people care about censorship in this country?

Letter to OFLC 

Here is a copy of a letter sent to our OFLC contact Amy Wooding. Any response we will share with our MUFF audience: 

Hi Amy, I thought I'd write to you about this year's decision. 

So the films I cannot play at MUFF 8 are the following: 

70k, Schulmädchen-Report: Was Eltern nicht für möglich halten (aka The Schoolgirl Report), Sex Wish, The Farmer's Daughter, Ashley & Kisha: Finding the Right Fit, Whore and 60 Second Relief 

Is this correct? 

I will comply and withdraw them from screenings and replace them with films you have granted permission for me to play (like Moonlight and Magic, Left Ear, etc). 

A few small questions, you might be able to answer or maybe the OFLC director can answer them (If you have his email I'll cc this to him): 

Why is pornography of the most gross and offensive nature (like shitting and pissing films) available for sale in most Adult bookshops in Victoria? 

Also: Are not X rated films only supposed to be available in Canberra but for sale in 90% of Adult shops in Vic and NSW and in other states? 

Why is MUFF referred to the justice department for wishing to screen a couple of classy or forgotten pieces of erotica with artistic merit to an audience over 18 (who are keen to see them) and nothing done about the illegal X rated sale of videos and DVD's in sex shops that is rampant? 

Is there not a hint of corruption or hypocrisy and definitely absurdity here?

Why are X rated films banned at all! It begs the question given the ready availability of it in on the Internet? Available on any PC, anywhere. 

A MUFF screening is a minor problem compared to the flaunting of your rules every day of every year by the Adult Sex Industry. 

Why are films like Shortbus and 9 Songs passed though they clearly contravene some of your guidelines? 

Why is MIFF allowed to play a film like Exterminating Angles in a section that focussed on perversity and erotica though that too contravenes your guideline? And we cannot do it? We will comply with your absurd ruling out of fear of prosecution to our small festival but register our complaint also that this is neither fair or just. We believe strongly it represents a violation of the basic human rights of Australian citizens to freedom of speech, assembly and expression. 

Enabling a festival like MUFF or MIFF to play whatever they choose from the classy end of the sex industry will lift both festivals standing in the International community and not reveal a backward 1950's attitude to sex and censorship in Australia. Your own guidelines date from over 50 years ago. Surely a review is in order? 

I am cc-ing this email to the MIFF Festival Director Richard Moore for his interest. His comments and feelings on the matter I would be interested to hear. 

Any answers to these questions or our complaint will be greatly appreciated from the OFLC. 

This letter is not written in disrespect but in a wish for better clarification of the important issues it contains. 

Best Regards Richard Wolstencroft

PS. Why is 70k banned it has no sex or violence at all does it?

MUFF opens tonight at Toff in Town come down and support a festival that believes in fighting censorship!

Fast Times at Ridgemont High  

Dir Amy Heckerling / 1982 / USA

United International Pictures had this passed with an R in October 1982 running 2413.84mtr (88min 14sec). The rating was given because of language, which was described as:

Frequency: Infrequent
Explicitness/Intensity: Medium
Purpose: Gratuitous

It was also awarded because of sexual concepts.

Despite the harsh rating the censors still demanded 0.7mtr (2sec) of cuts. The reason given for the deletions was 'sexual activity involving a minor'.

At the time Cinema Papers Magazine summed up the cuts very well.

Amy Heckerling's Fast Times (Fast Times at Ridgemont High in the U.S): cut by two seconds for showing 'sexual activity involving a minor'. It is hard to know what the Commonwealth Film Censor expects a filmaker to do when making films about teenage sexuality; pretending it doesn't exist is no answer.

I would hazard a guess that the cuts were made to one of Stacey's two sex scenes. With Ron at 19min, or with Mike at 58min. 

The film was eventually released on tape on the by CIC-TAFT Video. This was  89min (v) version was rated R in July 1984 for reasons of:

Sex
Frequency: Infrequent
Explicitness/Intensity: Medium
Purpose: Gratuitous

Language
Frequency: Frequent
Explicitness/Intensity: Medium
Purpose: Gratuitous

Other
Sexual Allusions

Although it needs to be confirmed, I would guess that it is the same as the censored Theatrical version.

Australia Media had a 91min (f) version reclassified M15+(Adult Themes, Low Level Coarse Language) in May 1995.

It was back before the board in January 2002, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment were again awarded an M15+ rating, only this time with a revised consumer warning of 'Medium Level Sex Scenes, Low Level Course Language, Drug Use'. This DVD was eventually released on the Universal-Columbia Tristar label. The print has a longer runtime of 89min 30sec indicating it is an NTSC to PAL conversion. Despite it being rated M15+, I would presume that the above mentioned cuts have been restored.

DVD Comparisons

Fear City  

Dir Abel Ferrara / 1984 / USA

Seven Keys had a 2642.00mtr (96m 34s) print Refused Registration in January 1985. It was eventually passed in November 1985 when Thorn EMI were awarded an R for a 93m (92min 24sec) print. Although it was not listed as such, this version seems to be slightly censored.

Two further VHS releases appeared in Australia. One from Warners, and one from Polygram. Neither are uncut, but are different to the Thorn EMI tape. A more in-depth look at these versions can be found here.

The 92min (v) Polygram version was passed MA15+ (High Level Violence) in November 1994.

DVD Comparisons

Female Vampire  

Dir Jess Franco / 1973 / France

"In the Board's opinion, this erotic nudity-laden and heavily sexually-orientated horror video warrants a Refuse classification under ACT COPO 25 (3) for explicit sex depictions and the inclusion of a separate scene portraying sexual violence against a non-consenting person. 

25-26min:glimpses of erect shaft and head of penis in woman's hand and near her mouth as she implicitly fellates him.

45mins:Close up explicit visuals of a woman moving her hand across her pubic hair and genitals in masturbatory action, with her rear to the camera. 

Other visuals warrant an R classification, in the Board's opinion, for frequent depictions of sexualised female nudity and implied cunnilingus, fellatio, masturbation and intercourse including implies necrophilia. 

A scene from 64-67mins has particular strength however and is key to the overall classification decision. In this scene the Countess is implicitly whipped by a woman who is instructed to do so by a dominatrix. The woman then attacks the dominatrix with assistance from the Countess. As the dominatrix sobs, she is breast mouthed and in close up her underpants are removed. This is followed by implied cunnilingus which she apparently enjoys but which leads to her implied death as the Countess performs implied cunnilingus. This scene could be accommodated in an R classification, in the Board's opinion, but because it is included in a film that contains X rated visuals and 'no depiction of sexual violence, coercion or non-consent of any kind is permitted in this classification' , the scene actually warrants Refuse classification."

Report to applicant 1995 

Unlike Tombs of the Blind Dead, and Virgin Among the Living Dead, Siren decided not to release a cut version of this film. Interestingly, in 1980. Cosmopolitan Films received an R rating for a cut 80min (f) print with the title The Bare Breasted Countess. This had 2min 2 sec removed for reasons of indecency and excessive violence. Syme were refused a rating in 1983 when they presented a 90min (v) tape, and two years later Platinum Video received an X at 88min (v) . No video release eventuated from either company. It's worth noting that all prints under the title The Bare Breasted Countess have much of the sex removed, whilst the horror is increased. 

Image has now released this on DVD in the US in the Female Vampire version. Unfortunately, due to the Image's reluctance to put out any films containing hardcore, the release has been censored. Here the fellatio scene mentioned by the OFLC at 25-26mins is only shown in profile.

DVD Comparisons

Final Executioner, The

Dir Romolo Guerrieri / 1983 / Italy

In  February 1985 Filmways had the 87min (v) print banned (for gratuitous sexual violence), a few months later Filmpac removed two minutes to gain an R rating. Strangely, the Filmways/VTC/K-Tel Video runs 87min 58sec and does not look cut. In the UK this lost the scene where the girl is raped and murdered. This scene runs from approximately 28min to 30min in the Filmways tape. 

Fist Full of 44's, A

Dir Jaacov Jaacovi / 1975 / USA

In 1984, during a review of past titles, the censors decided that the film was no longer suitable for a rating and 14th Mandolin had the film banned at a running time of 71mins (v). Reasons for the ban were obviously due to the presence of several violent rape scenes. The King of Video is now very rare, but you may still be lucky to find a copy.

Fox Tang Gi 

D ? / 198? / Taiwan

This Taiwanese sex movie was cut from 66 to 65mins (f) before Yu Enterprises could release it to Chinese cinemas in 1989.

Foxy Ladies

Dir Lu Kei / 1979 / Hong Kong

In October 1981 Joe Sui International Film Co removed 9 seconds of frequent, gratuitous, medium intensity violence to gain an R rating. The censored 100min (f) print of this Golden Harvest production went on to a Chinese Language Cinema release.

Framed

Dir Phil Karlson / 1975 / USA

This was first Refused Registration in September 1975 in a print running 2825.00mtr (103:15). The reason given for the ban was excessive violence. A censored 2743.00mtr (100:15) version was awarded an R-rating in March 1976 and United International Pictures went on to give it a theatrical release.

It was first Refused Registration again in July 1985 this time in the form of a 102m VHS. The reason given for the ban was violence, which were described as:
Frequency: Infrequent
Explicitness/Intensity: High
Purpose: Gratuitous

CIC-TAFT Video censored the print down to 100m and received an R-rating in March 1987. The reason for the rating was violence which was described as:
Frequency: Infrequent
Explicitness/Intensity: Medium
Purpose: Gratuitous

The censored 100:14 VHS was released on the CIC-TAFT Video label. This matches the running time of the theatrical version which would seem to indicate it is an NTSC print.

Thanks to Matt for this comparison between the Australian tape and the uncut version.

This Joe Don Baker revenge tale is (in the uncut version) a true guilty pleasure.  Here is a comparison between the Aussie CIC-TAFT VHS, and the uncut Legend Films DVD from the U.S.. There may be other cuts, but these are the ones that were most noticeable.

15min approx- Here Haskins has come to arrest Ron for the shooting. The two get into a very violent and bloody fight. Ron finally kills Haskins by bashing his head four times of the garage floor. The CIC VHS cuts the first two of these (as well as a few seconds before), and only shows the last two.

19min - Susan is threatened by Frank and the blond guy. The CIC VHS cuts the part where she says "Ow,  my breasts". The scene then continues with her slowly sliding down the wall before it cuts again. Missing here is around 25s of Frank threatening Susan by pushing the gun close to her mouth. He breathes deeply as he does so as if aroused. No nudity or any rape are shown in the uncut version although it is mentioned later in the film.

83min - In the CIC VHS Ron is shown placing his gun next to Frank's ear. It then cuts around 25sec of him shooting and of the now bloody ear as Frank is bundled into the car.

85min - Ron opens the hood of his car and pushes Frank under it. Missing in the CIC VHS is a shot of the spark plug being pushed into Frank's ear. 

97min - The CIC VHS cuts the scene where Ron stabs the Mayor in the back of the hand.

The versions were:
Legend Films (U.S.) DVD 105:49 (NTSC)
CIC-TAFT Video (Aus) VHS 100:14 (PAL) 
If the censored VHS is converted to NTSC then it gives a running time of 104:25 which would mean it is missing between a minute and a minute and a half of footage.

You mention the version (presumably uncut) that was first submitted back in 1975 as running 103:15 which does not really make sense when compared to these times. Anyway, I would safely say that now this would get through with all 'excessive violence' intact.

In 2000 it was screened on Channel 7 Sydney in their mid-day movie slot, in a print that we assume was heavily censored. 

Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter  

Dir Joseph Zito / 1984 / USA

CIC-TAFT Video had an 89m video Refused Registration in January 1985. 
The reason given was violence, which were described as:
Frequency: Frequent
Explicitness/Intensity: High
Purpose: Gratuitous

In February 1985 CIC-TAFT Video had a censored 86m video passed with an R18+ rating.
The reason given was violence, which were described as:
Frequency: Frequent
Explicitness/Intensity: Medium
Purpose: Gratuitous

This is the first video release and the actual running time is

United International Pictures had a 1001.10mtr (91m 25s) 16mm print Refused Registration in July 1985. 
The reason given was violence, which were described as:
Frequency: Frequent
Explicitness/Intensity: High
Purpose: Gratuitous

United International Pictures successfully appealed to the Review Board and in August 1985 the ban was overturned and the 16mm print was rated R18+.

Showing just how inconsistent they really are, in 1986 the censors passed the same scene when included in the Showcase Video release of Scream Greats Volume 1-Tom Savini.

In 1994 CIC-TAFT released a sell through video of this title, which was uncut at 87m 34s. This tape can be identified by the bottom of its front cover which has the words "Horror House Unlimited" printed over blood red. 

In 2002 it also began screening on Foxtel's Encore channel in a print that runs 87m 15s. Jason is shown getting the machete in the face, but his following death scene is missing.

The R4 Paramount DVD released in July 2002 is uncut and runs 87m 34s. It was re-released in 2009 with new packaging.

If resubmitted it would now easily get an R18+ uncut. 

Cover 2 by Peter Verevis
Cover 3 and 4 by Raven

DVD Comparisons

Fruit is Swelling, The  

Dir Chin Man Kei / 1997 / Hong Kong

Here is what the OFLC had to say about the film 

"An eight-year old girl, whose wish to be eighteen years old is magically granted, is the central character of the Chinese language film The Fruit is Swelling. This sex comedy exploits the fantasy theme of a young girl suddenly in an adult body. In a majority view of the board the film warranted an RC classification for a depiction of sexual violence, with a minority view that the film also warranted RC for an offensive/exploitative fantasy and an offensive depiction of a minor. An alternative minority view was that both the fantasy depicted and the scene of sexual violence was sufficiently implied and undetailed to be accommodated in the R classification. It acknowledged that the film was likely to offend some sections of the adult community but not to the extent that the film warranted an RC classification. The film was subsequently edited and the revised version was classified R." 

Classification Board & Classification Review Board-Annual Report 1996-97 

The uncut category 3 Hong Kong version can be found on DVD on the Mei Ah label.

Fugitive X Innocent Target

Dir David Heavener / 1996 / USA

Peacock Films had a 98min (v) version banned in 1996. We are not sure if this ever received a cut release.

Fury in Red

Dir Chong Lei / 1991 / Hong Kong

The OFLC described the reasons for the cuts as:

"With regard to Fury in Red, a Chinese contemporary crime drama set in Hong Kong, the board noted a lengthy and exploitative scene....with clear indications of coercion and non-consent. It was considered by the board to be 'indecent' pursuant to the Customs Regulations as the pregnant women's clothing is forcibly removed and her rape by three males is shown in considerable detail, culminating with implied knife cuts to her breasts. The resulting wounds are shown in a subsequent scene"

OFLC and Film and Literature Board of Review- Report on Activities 1991-92.

An uncut Hong Kong VCD available.

Continue...

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