TRAUME VON LUST
Dir Harry S. Morgan / Prod Videorama / 1999 / Germany / IMDb
This 78min (v) tape was rated RC in November 2000.
SYNOPSIS:Several unrelated scenes of explicit sexual activity.
REASONS FOR THE DECISION:
In the majority of the Board's view this
film warrants an RC, "Refused Classification", in accordance
with section 1(a) of the Films Table of the National Classification Code
and the Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Videotapes as it
"deals with matters of sex in such a way that they offend against the
standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by
reasonable adults to the extent that they should not be classified".
In arriving at the decision the Board considered the criteria set out in the National Classification Code and the guidelines for the Classification of Films and Videotapes, Amendment No.2, April 1999. The Board took into account the matters contained in Section 11 of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer games) Act 1995 (the Classification Act):
- the standards of morality, decency and
propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults; and
- the literary,
artistic or educational merit of the film; and
- the general character of
the film; and
- the persons or class of persons to or
amongst whom it is published or is intended or likely to be published.
The Board also took into account community concerns about the portrayal of persons in a demeaning manner.
As is stated in the X classification of the Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Videotapes, no fetishes such as body piercing, application of substances such as candle wax, 'golden showers', bondage, spanking or fisting are permitted. In the majority of the Board's view a scene at approximately 20 mins of a colonic travage warrants an RC classification for fetishistic activity as described above. The depiction shows insertion of a tube followed by anal stimulation using the tube and the resulting discharge of the liquid from the anus. In the minority of the Board's view this depiction can be accommodated at an X classification as it seems to be performed as a prelude to anal sex for reasons of hygiene and further, there is no faecal matter evident.
***
In early 2001, AXIS applied to have this, and several other decisions reviewed. Despite the applications being outside the normal time provision, it was hoped that the Review Board would agree to the reviews.
AXIS explained the reason for the TRAUME VON LUST delay as:
The scene in this film in which a female undergoes a brief colonic flush prior to engaging in anal sex has no direct relation to the original appeals besides being appealed on the grounds it is a misinterpretation of the guidelines surrounding fetish and therefore needs to be more closely scrutinized by the board for future similar vision.
Traume Von Lust, Codename Ecstasy and Car Wash are part of a new set of appeals to benchmark 'golden showers' and the extent to which the company feels it has completely fulfilled the requirements to remove the offending vision. As outlined in our appeals briefs, contesting the amount of pixcellation when the image is clearly covered, hence compliant with the guidelines, is a reductive strategy, suggesting the OFLC is making decisions on unrealistic interpretations of the guidelines.
These films were delayed in their application as the company was waiting until all of the films that had been refused were reviewed and our position consolidated, before application, contributing factors to this delay were waiting on other similarly edited titles to pass before the board to see if decisions were actually consistent or one offs depending on which board members were viewing them.
The Classification Review Board were unconvinced, and refused to allow a review. Their reasons were:
"The Classification Review Board is not persuaded that it is appropriate in all the circumstances to exercise its discretion pursuant to section 43(2)(b) of the Classifications (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 to extend time to apply for review in relation to the applications made on behalf of your company"
The AXIS Group have never submitted a revised version.
