Films G | Refused-Classification.com

Gator Bait 2-Cajun Justice

Dir Beverly & Ferd Sebastian / 1988 / USA

In 1989 CIC/TAFT had two versions of this refused, one at 97min and the other at 95min. No Australian video release.

This 21min film school work was submitted to the Censorship Board in December 1982. Swinburne Institute of Technology were awarded a R after one cut was made. The controversy began when the producer pushed to have the uncut film included in the 1983 Melbourne Film Festival. The following piece from the 1983 Film Censorship Board Report explains the situation.

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Film Censorship Board
Report on Activities 1983

SYDNEY-MELBOURNE FILM FESTIVALS
Amendments to the Customs (Cinematograph Films) Regulations, made in April, removed the anomalies which were inherent in the so-called Film Festival 'agreement' of 1975.
These amendments enable 'approved organizations' to exhibit films at 'approved events' without being subject to the registration provisions of the Regulations.
Approval of organizations and events is at the discretion of the Attorney-General, who shall have regard to:

(a) the purposes for which the organization was formed;
(b) the extent to which the event is in keeping with the purposes of the organization;
(c) the extent to which the organization carries on activities of a cultural or artistic nature;
(d) the reputation of the organization with respect to the screening of films;
(e) the conditions imposed on the organization with respect to the admission of persons to the screening of films by the organization.

Decisions of the Attorney-General either to refuse or revoke approvals may be reviewed by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

Approved organizations may import films for approved events upon submission of applications and synopses to the Chief Censor. Permissions to import are granted subject to permission holders observing certain conditions, which include limiting admission to screenings of the films to subscribers aged 18 years or over and exporting the films within six weeks after the conclusion of the approved event.
The amendments have the effect of conceding to film festivals named as 'approved organizations' the freedom from censorship restraints which they have long sought.
The Board welcomed these amendments, as they implicitly confirmed that the Board had no legal mandate to grant the concessions previously sought by the festivals.
In 1983, the Sydney and Melbourne Film Festivals were named as 'approved organizations' and 'approved events'. They were granted a total of 356 'permissions to import', 102 to Sydney and 254 to Melbourne.
There was widespread misunderstanding about the legal status of Australian-made films used in film festivals. Few seemed to realise that the exhibition of such films is essentially a matter for State Governments, which may grant exemption to any film (whether imported or Australian made) from the operation of certain provisions of the relevant State Censorship Acts.
Misunderstanding focused on the film Genius is Lying. This was submitted to the Film Censorship Board by the Swinburne Institute of Technology in December 1982, with a request that it be classified for normal public exhibition. Members of the Board decided, by a majority vote, to classify the film 'For Restricted Exhibition', subject to one deletion. It should be emphasised that this decision was made outside the context of film festivals.
When the film's producer later sought to have the 1983 Melbourne Film Festival include Genius is Lying in its program, it was suggested that the deletion required by the Film Censorship Board for the film's public exhibition precluded its exhibition at the festival, as the festival's policy is to show only uncut films.
However, the film could have been shown uncut at the festival had the Melbourne Film Festival successfully sought the approval of the Government of Victoria for its exhibition.
The Chief Censor issued a press release stating the correct position, in an attempt to dispel the media-created impression that the Board had acted obstructively vis-a-vis the Melbourne Film Festival. But, perhaps inevitably, the press release received less exposure than the allegations which prompted it.

Ghost Festival

Dir Gei Sek / 1985 / Hong Kong

In 1987 Yu Enterprises had to cut this from 89 to 86mins (f) in order to gain an R rating for Chinese cinema showings.

Ginger

Dir Don Schain / 1971 / USA

G.A. International had a 96min (v) tape Refused Classification in March 1985. Reason for the decision was gratuitous sexual violence.

The G.A. International tape was indeed released to video stores, possibly before the censors decided to ban it. It was relatively easy to find a copy of this for rent in the 80's and early 90's.

The exact running time for the tape is 95min 09sec (v). There are various examples of sexual violence during the film. However we would hazard a guess that the OFLC mainly objected to the climax of the film where Ginger is punched, raped, and injected with heroin by Rex.

Interestingly, the G.A. International release does look slightly cut.

Before - Jimmy says "Spread your legs". It's followed by Jimmy naked on top of the girl. This scene fades and is followed by a (very) brief shot of another scene coming into view. This shows Rodney's body naked from the waist down.

After - The soundtrack then jumps and there is a shot of Ginger saying to Rodney "Just enjoy the view".

A sequel titled THE ABDUCTORS was also Refused Classification in December 1984 . GIRLS ARE FOR LOVING, the second sequel had an R18+ rated theatrical release in the early 70's. Despite the box of the G.A. International release of GINGER promising "One of 3 Action-Packed Ginger Movies", we've yet to see proof that they got around to releasing them.

A PLACE CALLED TODAY was another of Don Schain's films to be banned in Australia.

Released on DVD in the US by Monterey Home Video.

Girls Gone Wild: Girls on Girls

Prod Mantra Films / 2007 / USA

On April 15th 2008 Zeal Entertainment had this DVD rated X18+ (Explicit Sex) by the Classification Board. Following some censorship it achieved the desired R18+ (High-level sexualised nudity and sexual activity ) on April 24th 2008. No X18+ version was released. The whole GIRLS GONE WILD series is aimed squarely at the R18+ market for soft-core sex.

Girls Gone Wild: Girl Power Crazy

Prod Mantra Films / 2007 / USA

On April 4th 2008 Zeal Entertainment had this DVD rated X18+ (Explicit Sex) by the Classification Board. Following some censorship it achieved the desired R18+ (High level sexual activity, High level sexualised nudity) on April 29th 2008. No X18+ version was released. The whole GIRLS GONE WILD series is aimed squarely at the R18+ market for soft-core sex.

Girls Gone Wild: Mardi Gras Invasion

Prod Mantra Films / 2005 / USA

Now we try and avoid covering X18+ hardcore that is censored down to R18+. If an adult film is supposed to be hardcore, and is rated R18+ then it is cut, simple as that. However, we'll make an exception for GIRLS GONE WILD - MARDI GRAS INVASION, a title that we believe doesn't contain hardcore footage. Indeed the whole GIRLS GONE WILD series seems to be aimed squarely at the R18+ market for soft-core sex. This explains why Zeal Entertainment were not happy with the X18+ awarded to GIRLS GONE WILD - MARDI GRAS INVASION on October 4th 2007. They went away and censored the DVD, and on December 3rd 2007 were awarded an R18+ (High level sexualised nudity, High level sexual activity) rating. So if the R18+ Australian release appears with the same cover tag line as the U.S (UNCENSORED! RAW! REAL UNCUT!), ask for your money back, because it is definitely not uncensored or uncut.

Girls Gone Wild: Spring Break Sex Riot

Prod Mantra Films / 2006 / USA

Zeal Entertainment had this DVD Refused Classification on December 21st 2007. Judging the rest of the titles in the series, it would seem that Zeal Entertainment were aiming for an R18+ rating. Indeed, the whole GIRLS GONE WILD series seems to be aimed squarely at the R18+ market for soft-core sex.

A censored version was rated R18+ (High level sexualised nudity and sexual activity) on January 18th 2008.

The British Censors also had problems with this title. Here is what they had to say when it was submitted in March 2007.

Distributor chose to make a cut to remove the sight of clearly unsimulated vigorous masturbation in order to obtain an 18 certificate. An uncut R18 was available to the distributor. R18s can only be sold in licensed sex shops.

This means the distributor refused an uncut R18 (equivalent to our X18+), and cut the film by five seconds for an 18 rating (equivalent to our R18+).

In our case something in the film pushed it out of the X18+ category, and it was cut to an R18+.

Girl Next Door

Dir Shiyuuta Biwajima - Chikara Niki - Digital Works / 2002 / Japan

The missing footage discussed for this film is not the work of the OFLC. However, the distributor pre-cut before submission in anticipation of Oflc problems.

Siren Visual Entertainment had a DVD rated R18+ (High Level Sex Scenes, Adult Themes) on December 18th 2003.

Despite being listed as the ORIGINAL version, the DVD had actually been pre-cut prior to submission. According to Siren, minor cuts were made, but only in relation to any sexual violence connotations, which would not pass under any circumstances.

This was eventually released on DVD in 2004 on a double-bill with the similarly censored CAMPUS.

Siren re-released the film as a single feature in May 2007 as part of their Hentai Collection.

Full marks to Siren for admitting the cuts. Unfortunately, the OFLC statistics now record these as never having had censorship problems. This situation is widespread in the X18+ category.

Godfather's Fury

Dir Chung Sun / 1978 / Hong Kong

In July 1979 a 2831.90mtr (103m 30s) print of this Shaw Brothers production was banned by the Censorship Board. The reasons given was 'Excessive Violence'. There is no record of the applicant, JS & WC International Film, later making any cuts to gain an R rating.

Golden Ninja Warrior

Dir Joseph Lai / 1986 / Hong Kong

Videobiz (S.A.) had this 85m VHS Refused Classification in March 1989. The reason given was 'Gratuitous Sexual Violence'. The trailer for the film (available on YouTube) contains shots of a girl being beaten with her breasts exposed. It is followed by her being held down on a bed and having her top torn off. Presumably this is part of the sequence that saw the film banned in Australia.

Grandes Jouisseuses, Les

aka French Erotic Fantasies

Dir Claude Bernard-Aubert / 1977 / France

Originally presented to the censors in a 92min (f) print in 1978 by Consolidated Exhibitors, it was cut to 80mins (f) before an R rated cinema release could go ahead.

In 1985 two video companies had this banned due to gratuitous sexual violence, Prestige Video at 90mins & CBS Fox at 80mins. I am not aware of these being released cut or otherwise by these companies. Video Classics put this out in the early 80's with a running time of 75min 24sec. The video box title is The Grand Sensualist.

Greta-The Mad Butcher

aka Ilsa-The Wicked Warden

Dir Jess Franco / 1977 / Switzerland-USA-West Germany

Blake Films, for reasons of indecency and indecent violence, had a 90min (f) print refused in 1977. No cut release followed.

The original ILSA, SHE WOLF OF THE SS was banned in 1976.

In January 2005 there is a report of customs delaying delivery of the Anchor Bay Ilsa Box set. The titles in the shipment were SHE WOLF OF THE SS, Harem Keeper of the Oil Sheiks, and WICKED WARDEN. The package was eventually delivered with a letter informing that they had been delayed because they were suspected of falling within the scope of of Regulation 4A of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956.

DVD Comparisons

Guinea Pig: Devil's Experiment

aka Za Ginipiggu 1: Akuma No Jikken

Dir Hideshi Hino / 1985 / Japan

This was due to screen on July 17th 2004 at the Melbourne Underground Film Festival. It is rumoured that the OFLC became aware of this and contacted the organisers who pulled it, and three other features from the program. If anyone has any further information on this then please send it in.

The Melbourne Underground Film Festival issued the following press release on July 12th 2004.

STOP THE PRESS - MUFF films banned!!!!

The following films have been banned from MUFF by the O.F.L.C:

	The Toolbox Murders
	Wife to be Sacrificed
	Za Ginipiggu 1 &2

The following description of the film is taken from the MUFF website.

Za Ginipiggu 1: Akuma No Jikken

JAPAN | 1985 | 46 min

Notorious splatter video series conceived by underground manga artist Hideshi Hino. Shot on videotape with minimal production values but reasonably convincing special effects, the series, running to six episodes, eventually turned comedic and a making-of was also released to counter a rumour that the first couple of eps were actual “snuff” films. In essence, the films are a special effects showcase and are one-dimensional in tone. Some palpable shock value is to be had.

Saturday July 17th 9pm Gertrudes.

DVD Compare

Guinea Pig: Flowers of Flesh and Blood

aka Za Ginipiggu 2: Chiniku No Hana