In Sydney, a group called Free Cinema will try and screen KEN PARK at the Balmain Town Hall. It will take place on Thursday 3rd July at 8.15pm. Entry to the screening is by donation. This will go to benefit the anti-censorship campaign. The following article covers the event in more detail.

Group to defy censors and show banned film. SMH 27.06.03

The controversial American film Ken Park, forbidden a screening at the Sydney Film Festival, will be given a public showing in Balmain, in defiance of a ban by film censors.

The screening, at Balmain Town Hall on July 3, is a deliberate challenge to the Office of Film and Literature Censorship.

It has been organised by a group of film critics, film makers and others calling itself Free Cinema and will be open only to people over the age of 18.

Free Cinema includes the film maker and activist Martha Ansara, SBS film critic Margaret Pomeranz, and Leichhardt's Deputy Mayor, Jamie Parker.

Cr Parker said many members of the group, which is not connected with the Sydney Film Festival, were "not interested in seeing the film but concerned about the issue of censorship".

He said he was involved as "a concerned individual who believes there are important matters of principle regarding censorship".

It was likely that police would turn up to the 8.15pm discussion and screening and shut it down, but it was vital to "raise the issue and promote debate", he said.

***

Meanwhile, down in Melbourne a group called "The Free", also intends to show the film. The following is taken from the Melbourne Underground Film Festival (MUFF) website.

"Paul Moder, from the group "The Free", will be screening the film "Ken Park" by Larry Clark at an undisclosed location between Monday 7th July and Friday 11th July.

To be updated on details of the screening, sign up using the form below. An email will be sent to you closer to the event. This is not a Melbourne Underground Film Festival event."

To sign-up, and to get more details checkout the censorship updates at the MUFF website.

******

Another event is being organised by MUFF themselves to protest against our friends at the Australian Customs Service. The location, date, and time are, Customs Office, 2-6 Sperry Dve (inside Business Park), Tullamarine Melways Ref. 5, G 11, Melbourne, on Wednesday 9th July at 2pm. 

The following piece is again from the MUFF website and gives more details on the reasons for the event.

The censorship crisis in Australia continues with major infractions in the world of film festivals. The first, MIFF and the NSW SIFF have found out that due to a ruling by the OFLC they cannot play the new Larry Clark masterpiece “Ken Park” at their respective established festivals. “Ken Park” is now banned.

MUFF stands united in solidarity with our older siblings in this fight to the death for freedom of speech and expression in this country. The second, comes from the Customs thought police out at Tullamarine who went through MUFF mail and seized five tapes they deemed to be offensive due to the drummed up accusations of sexual violence and a law dating back to 1956. These tapes contained S&M scenes including spanking and light bondage and have been grabbed by these Nazi fucks out at Customs. We appealed to the OFLC to reverse this decision and in keeping with the conservative tone of their recent thinking have ruled our appeal for permission to import - denied. We are looking to appeal this decision based on bias towards persons with sadomasochistic sexuality plus other issues and will take this fight as high as it goes (and as far as we can take it!).

The fact that in Australia we have no right to freedom of speech is a travesty. In these post Sept 11 times filled with the hysteric fear of terrorism and racism towards Arab and Islamic peoples we must ensure the right of all to express their opinions both politically and sexually. MUFF will not take this offence laying down!!

We are planning a media protest outside the customs office at 2-6 Sperry Dve (inside Business Park), Tullamarine Melways Ref. 5, G 11 on Wednesday 9th July at 2pm. We intend to hold a “Spank In” where peoples of S&M sexuality, who are tired of having their mail opened and censored by these bureaucratic stooges, will recreate the contents of these videos on the customs doorstep, no less!

These actions will be performed for the public, media and press to witness and will feature international fetish guest Laurence Gartel and others fighting with us and reporting overseas on this sorry status quo. PS>We have also heard from a group who intend to flaunt this censorship law and play both “Ken Park” and these fetish tapes, who another collector already has in country, during the same time as our festival.

An investigative journalist should also examine why adult films are effectively banned in Syd and Melb but on sale everywhere at all adult shops, corruption and hypocrisy!! They should be simply legal everywhere, straight, gay and S&M-full fucking stop.

VIVA FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION!

******

The fourth MUFF will take place between July 3rd and 13th. Of special interest to readers of this site will be a screening of Ryu Murakami's TOKYO DECADENCE. 

Erotic sex or dangerous fantasy? In the most lavish penthouses, visible only through keyholes, there exists a dangerous and erotic world. High paid prostitutes who specialize in high stakes games make the rounds. The richer the client, the wilder the ride. When things get too rough for one of the call girls, escaping becomes her reality. A high class Japanese exploration of the mores and mise en scene of the Japanese S&M underbelly that will make you blow your Mt.Fuji. A must for fans of Asian erotica.

Full program details can be found at the MUFF website. These guys deserve your support.

******

Film censorship has been well and truly back in the news following last months RC rating for KEN PARK. The following articles cover how "this years" censorship battle has progressed.

Banned - the film on teenage life too hot for Australia. SMH 31.05.03

A week out from opening night, the Sydney Film Festival has been caught up in a censorship row after the banning of a controversial American film.

The film is understood to have been submitted for classification by a distributor wanting to release it on video. The festival has appealed and hopes for a decision before the film's scheduled screenings on June 17 and 18.

The festival's president, Cathy Robinson, was upset and angry at the decision.

"The critical issue is about the role of a film festival," she said.

Any festival-goer seeing Ken Park, which she described as a significant film dealing with social issues affecting young adults, had to be over 18.

Ms Robinson said it was ironic that the 50th festival was seeing a return to the censorship controversies that dogged the festival in the past. In 1969, there was a storm when the Swedish film I Love, You Love was banned for showing a pregnant woman having sex.

"We've reached our 50th event and we're still dealing with the same kind of issues as festivals past," she said.

The director of the festival, Gayle Lake, described Ken Park as a groundbreaking film that should not be banned.

"Yes, the film is controversial. Yes, it will divide audiences. But it should be seen and it should be debated."

***

Festival movie banned. The Age 06.06.03

James Hewison, executive director of the Melbourne International Film Festival, says that "Ken Park is Larry Clark's most accomplished film and in many respects his most tragic".

Film festivals are normally exempt from the classification process, but are required to submit to the OFLC a list of the films to be screened. A local distributor acquired the rights to Ken Park and submitted it for video classification before the Sydney Film Festival screenings.

***

Censors' film ban creates a scene. SMH 09.06.03

A decision to maintain the ban on the controversial American film Ken Park was greeted by boos and hisses at the Sydney Film Festival yesterday.

The festival's director, Gayle Lake, told the State Theatre audience that the board and staff were incensed by a classification review panel's decision.

"We cannot let this happen," she said, and urged festival-goers to lobby federal and state attorneys-general to overturn the ban.

In response to an audience question, Ms Lake suggested the festival could still screen Ken Park next week to protest against the decision. The move was "under consideration".

***

Stratton urges protest to lift film ban. SMH 10.06.03

The former director and film critic, David Stratton, has called for action on what he called a scandal enveloping the Sydney Film Festival.

Presenting a screening at the State Theatre, the co-host of SBS TV's The Movie Show urged the audience to ask politicians to have the ban on the controversial American film Ken Park overturned. "This is so important for freedom of speech in this country," he said.

Stratton was in numerous censorship controversies when director of the festival from 1966 to 1983. He said that if the festival was not able to program films without interference from censors, "we've come to a pretty sad day in this country".

***

Filmmaker defends the 'real' Ken Park. SMH 16.06.03

In Sydney it is a ban by the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) that has resulted in Ken Park being blocked from festival screenings next week, pending an appeal to the NSW Attorney-General, Bob Debus.

Clark was stunned by the ban.

"I'm shocked that out of all the places in the world that would ban the film, it was Australia."

Australia is the only country where the film has run into censorship problems, he says, though he acknowledges that "people have certainly looked at it sideways" in some countries.

***

Australian government bans Sydney Film Festival movie. World Socialist Website 16.06.03

***

Your Say. SMH 16.06.03

***

Ken Park won't screen at festival. The Age 16.06.03

The controversial film Ken Park will not screen at this year's Sydney Film Festival after organisers today said they had "exhausted all avenues of appeal".

Festival organisers received a letter this morning from NSW Attorney General Bob Debus outlining the NSW government's position.

"Festival guidelines ... clearly state that films that have either been classified X or RC (Refused Classification) will not be granted an exemption to be shown at a film festival," the letter said.

"I regret therefore that I am not in a position to direct that an exemption be granted."

Sydney Film Festival director Gayle Lake today said the festival would accept the decision and rejected calls by some to proceed with the screening regardless.

"Not only would such a screening be illegal ... but it could also affect the future status of the festival," Ms Lake said.

"Reaching the decision not to screen the film was very difficult and I am very disappointed our adult festival patrons won't have the opportunity to see and debate the film."

***

Film censorship causes uproar at Sydney Film Festival. ABC Radio National 16.06.03

LARRY CLARK: One thing I will say to everybody in Australia… that if you ever get a chance to see this film, you're going to realise this is a serious film. I think, I think that it's my best work.

***

Censorship forum replaces banned film. SMH 17.06.03

After losing a final appeal over the ban on Ken Park, the Sydney Film Festival will run a forum on censorship today, in place of the film. Chaired by Media Watch's presenter, David Marr, it will include representatives from the lobby group Watch on Censorship and the Film Critics Circle of Australia. The co-director of the American film, Larry Clark, will speak via satellite.

***

(ARCHIVED) Park stays off limits. The Australian 17.06.03 

***

Debus wants festival film rethink. SMH 18.06.03

The NSW Attorney-General, Bob Debus, is moving to ensure that films refused classification can screen at major festivals.

On the day Ken Park was due to screen at the Sydney Film Festival, Mr Debus said he was worried about the effect on the festival's status by the ban on the controversial American drama.

"I consider that eminent film festivals such as the Sydney Film Festival should be enabled to screen films to an adult audience, even in circumstances where the film has been refused classification," he said in a letter to the festival.

Mr Debus said he would propose the change to state and territory censorship ministers. He hoped "a broad general exemption" would be operating in time for next year's festival.

***

Maureen Shelley: Film Censorship Row. ABC Radio National 18.06.03

Maureen Shelley, convenor of the Classification Review Board, came under fire at a forum at the Sydney Film Festival yesterday when she fronted to discuss the reasons for the ban.

At issue were whether a scene of a boy masturbating constituted 'actual sex'; whether a scene in which a drunken father fondles his sleeping teenage son and is repulsed constituted child abuse; and whether current guidelines prohibiting sex scenes between actors over the age of 18 portraying minors of sixteen or seventeen were reasonable, in a country where the age of consent is now uniformly sixteen.

***

(ARCHIVED) Provocative flick brings out the critics. The Australian 18.06.03 

***

Ken hits back at censor. SMH 26.06.03

The independent film, which was refused classification last month because of its depictions of teenage sex, incest and auto-erotic asphyxiation, was missing from the 52nd Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) program announced today.

MIFF director James Hewison would not rule out taking action in a bid to show the film, but conceded it was unlikely to be successful before the 19-day festival opens on July 23.

***

The following articles look at the opening night of the Sydney Film Festival, and some of the censorship battles it has faced over its 50 year history.

Doing their lolly. SMH 07.06.03

Fights with censors, disgruntled subscribers and randy directors. Garry Maddox and Sacha Molitorisz on 50 great (and not so great) moments from the Sydney Film Festival's first 50 years.

An honourable wally by any other name. SMH 09.06.03

One technical glitch gave the NSW Premier, Bob Carr, the chance for a clever line: "I knew film censorship was an issue but I didn't know the bastards would get the first seven seconds of my message."

******

Adultshop.com have recently had two intended VHS releases Refused Classification. Christoph Clarke's EURO ANGELS HARDBALL 13 - THE HOLE STORY was banned in May. A revised tape was finally passed last week. Both versions have 137min running times.

The other feature, COCK CRAZY QUICKIES was rated RC in early June. No revised print has yet been rated.

******

Meanwhile, Queensland continues to suffer more censorship than anywhere else in the country. The following article looks at the court loss by John Lark.

(ARCHIVED) Porn crusader loses latest round. The Courier-Mail 27.06.03 (ARCHIVED)

******

Two Joe D'Amato's Emanuelle films made their US DVD debut on June 24th. Blue Underground has EMANUELLE IN AMERICA, whilst Shriek Show has EMANUELLE AND THE LAST CANNIBALS. The Australian censors banned both during the 1970's, before the distributors cut them for R18+ ratings.

******

Meanwhile on June 23rd, Anchor Bay UK released a DVD of MARK OF THE DEVIL. This version is missing 38 seconds courtesy of the British Censors. It also suffered cuts during its early 70's Australian release.

For more details on British censorship, checkout the UK DVD Censorship site that has now been added to the Links page.

******

The covers for the two Australian releases of Fulci's CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD have now been added to the site.

******

The big news to report is the banning of Larry Clark's latest feature, KEN PARK. MRA Entertainment Group had a 92min tape Refused Classification on May 21st. The film is (was?) going to screen at the 2003 Sydney Film Festival. The dates are (were?) 2.45pm Tue 17th June, and 8.45pm Wed 18th June at the State Theatre. 

Check out Larry Clark's website for more news on the film, and to see how out of touch the Australian Censors have become.

What follows is the Censorship Board's reasons for the decision.

The Classification Board has classified the film Ken Park, by directors Larry Clark and Ed Lachman, Refused Classification (RC). The classification means the film cannot be legally sold, hired, advertised or exhibited in Australia.

The film is about four teenagers as they struggle with family dysfunction and uncertain futures in suburban California.

In a 6 to 1 split decision, the majority of the Classification Board found this film warranted refused classification "RC". In the minority view the film could have been accommodated in the "R18+" classification.

In the Classification Board’s view, this film 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 it should be refused classification.

In the Classification Board’s view, the film contains scenes of actual sexual activity involving characters who are portrayed as minors that could not be accommodated within the "R18+"classification. The "R18+" classification permits material that is high in impact. The intensity, cumulative effect, tone and treatment of the scenes of actual sexual activity exceeded this impact test.

******

Gallery Entertainment have just had a DVD titled SPIN THE BOTTLE / TRANSPOSED Refused Classification. This Elegant Angel production was directed by Patrick Collins.

Three Adult features that were Refused Classification in 2003 have now been censored to gain X18+ ratings. These are:

******

Out on May 26th is the Anchor Bay UK DVD release of LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT. Blue Underground fought hard to have the film released uncut, but in the end had to settle for 31seconds of censor imposed cuts. An essay that describes the fight, titled Sex, Lies and Videotape is included as an extra on the disc. 

In a nice example of how powerless censors are becoming, the missing 31seconds are available for viewing over the web. The disc includes a link to a site where you can enter a code and view everything that the BBFC didn't want you to see.

LAST HOUSE was banned by the OFLC back in 1987, and would still be unlikely to get passed today.

******

IRREVERSIBLE will be making its UK DVD debut on the Tartan Video label. There is still no word if this has been picked up for Australian distribution, and therefore classification by the OFLC. Its March/April tour around the country was under Film Festival conditions

It is due to screen in New Zealand at the 2003 Becks Incredible Film Festival. 

******

The British Censors have finally given the green light to the fully uncut version of HENRY-PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER. This has just been issued on DVD in the UK by Optimum Releasing. In Australia we are still stuck with the Dendy Video that the OFLC censored back in 1992.

******

Two more customs seizers to add to the database are NEKROMANTIK and NEKROMANTIK 2. 

******

Two more old censorship decisions, this time from 1979/80. Both are Shaw Brothers productions submitted by JS & WC International Film.

******

Another new website has been added to the Links page. The Chopping List makes a nice companion site to the one you are reading. The more information that's out there the better. As the site says, knowledge is power!

******

Tasmanian band Intense Hammer Rage were recently fined for importing 207 copies of their CD Avagoyamugs from the US. The band submitted the CD sleeve and lyrics for classification by the OFLC. However they were given a Refused Classification rating on April 22nd.

Heavy-metal band fined. News.com.au 15.05.03 (ARCHIVED)

Tassie band fined over CD import charges. (ARCHIVED) The Mercury 16.05.03

Band three fined $500. (ARCHIVED) The Advocate (Tasmania) 16.05.03

In December 2002 Adultshop.com had a DVD of JULES JORDAN'S ASS WORSHIP Refused Classification. A revised 97min version has finally been passed with an X18+ and released on tape.

A similar fate befell the Korean Hardcore feature GONG HO. A DVD of this Evil Angel production was also banned in December 2002. In February, Adultshop.com received an X18+ for a revised 138min (v) tape.

******

For those of you in Sydney on Thursday May 1st, Media Central will be holding a debate that may be of interest.

IS PORN GOOD FOR YOU?
Debates about pornography are never simply about sexually explicit texts. Debates about pornography are also - among other things - debates about gender roles, about the relationship of the public and the private, about concepts of free speech and communities, about morality and self-expression, about health and pathology, and the boundaries of age and class.

Having recently found themselves on opposite sides of a very public debate about young people and internet pornography, Kath Albury and Michael Flood meet to explore the following questions: Is porn good for you? Is it bad for you? Who should be allowed access to porn? Who decides, and how do they draw the line?

6:30pm for a 7pm start.(6:30-9:30pm), Thursday May 1st,
Upstairs at the Gaelic Club, 64 Devonshire St, Surry Hills.

******

The latest issue, Volume 3 No 1, of The Eros Journal is out now. The Eros President and former Deputy Chief Censor, David Haines, contributes an interesting piece on the legalities of importing RC material for personal use. The article can now be found on-line here.

Adult entertainment in Australia is constantly under attack from conservative forces. EROS are the only organization that are actively fighting these groups. The following piece appears in the latest issue and should give you a good idea of what to expect. It follows the news that the US House of Representatives have rejected a bill that would have allowed religious leaders to comment on politics, without fear of loosing their tax-exempt status.

In Australia church leaders actively and unashamedly engage in political activity without fear of losing their tax-exempt status. Church clergy and other religious spokespersons are frequent visitors to federal, state and local governments lobbying them over ever more restrictions to adult shops, brothels, internet and X rated videos. They never mention the extensive network of paedophiles within their own organizations (over 500 convicted in Australia) and constantly point the finger at a group of people (the adult industry)  who do not even have one convicted paedophile in their ranks.

Why do members of parliament of continue to allow themselves to be influenced by the largest group of paedophiles in the country on matters sexual? Why is there never any mention of cancelling the tax exempt status of a group of people who live in the largest glass house in the country?

Subscription details can be found at the EROS website.

******

Irreversible has now finished its tour around the country as part of the 2003 French Film Festival. Contrary to what I reported on the last update, it did eventually screen in Adelaide. 

The South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson initially refused to grant it an exemption from classification. This quote from the April 1st edition of The Advertiser goes someway to explaining the situation.

"I would be happy for them to re-submit it. There may be some fault with the form. 
It certified that the film contained no explicit sexual or violent scenes, but I read the plot notes and that was not true. 
I would be derelict in my duty if I had ticked off on it. I would be signing something I knew to be false. So I sent a note telling them to get back to me that this film would not be refused classification.
 If it is not a film which has been refused classification; if it is R18 plus and they assure me no one under 18 will be attending, it can be reversed."

******

Yet another customs confiscation to add to the list. Joe D'Amato's BEYOND THE DARKNESS is confirmed as being forwarded to the OFLC in 1992. Unsurprisingly they gave it an RC rating.

******

Detailed cuts are now included for the Starbase Video release of ZOMBI HOLOCAUST. You will be amazed at the number of snips made to this particular release.

******

Another old title added to the database is PRIVATE LESSONS. This dumb comedy had numerous  run-ins with our censors during the early 80's.

******

The new classification guidelines came into effect on March 30th. These are a result of last years review. This was the one we hoped would deliver an R18+ for computer games. Unfortunately we all know that was not the result. Here is the OFLC introduction, the full guidelines can be found at their site (see links page).

The Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) will classify films and computer games using the new Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Computer Games (Combined Guidelines) from 30 March 2003.

The Film and Computer Games Guidelines are the product of a review to ensure that classification guidelines continue to reflect community standards.

In the course of the review process, the OFLC received 372 submissions from the public, the film and computer games industries, and community and professional organisations.

The result of this review is the new Combined Guidelines:

These guidelines replace the previous Film Guidelines and previous Computer Games Guidelines. Classifications of films and computer games made using the previous guidelines remain valid decisions.

******

The Attorney General has announced the appointment of a new Deputy Director and seven members of the Classification Board of the OFLC.

Each appointment is for three years, commencing on 28 May 2003.

Mr Paul Hunt, 35, has been appointed as Deputy Director of the Classification Board. He was appointed as a Senior Classifier in 2000 and has been acting in the Deputy Director's position since August 2001.  Prior to his work at the OFLC, Mr Hunt had significant experience at the State and Local Government level in Western Australia and Tasmania.

In both the Senior Classifier and Acting Deputy Director positions, Mr Hunt has demonstrated an excellent understanding of the classification process and the entertainment industry. 

The following members have been appointed to the Classification Board, including three who are currently board members.

Ms Wendy Banfield, 39, has been reappointed as a member of the Classification Board.  Originally from Adelaide, Ms Banfield holds Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and Bachelor of Law degrees. She has acted as a Senior Classifier and her work on the Board since her appointment in October 1999 is held in high regard. 

Ms Tracey Carthew, 43, has been appointed as a part-time Board member. She is a registered nurse and mother of three children. Over the past six years, Ms Carthew has been working in clinical research as a nurse coordinator at Queensland Health and the University of Queensland. She is a Captain in the Army Reserves and is also a member of the University of Queensland Medical Research Ethics Committee.

Mr Jeremy Fenton, 32, manages a non-profit employment and training organisation in Lismore, New South Wales. Mr Fenton has been involved with community radio in the Lismore area, where he held the position of Station Manager and had wide interaction with rural, aboriginal, and young people.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. 

Miss Alexandra Greene, 26, works as an Attractions Presenter at Movieworld.  Until mid-2002, she worked as an Assistant Legal Officer with the Queensland Police Service. Miss Greene holds Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law degrees. 

Mr Robert Sanderson, 28, has been reappointed as a member of the Classification Board. A qualified accountant, he has acted as a Senior Classifier and was recently seconded for a period to the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) to work on the review of guidelines of the television and film classifications systems.  Mr Sanderson holds a Bachelor of Commerce/Economics. 

Mr Rodney Smith, 33, is a journalist who has worked for local Tasmanian newspapers, the ABC and, most recently, the Sunday Telegraph in Sydney.  

Ms Lynn Townsend, 58, has been reappointed as a member of the Classification Board.  She holds a Masters of Social Science and formerly worked as a social policy researcher/analyst in the Tasmanian public sector.   Ms Townsend has been an effective member of the Classification Board over her term and has acted as Senior Classifier.  She has also led the input from the Classification Board into the review of the classification guidelines.

The Classification Board is responsible for classifying films, publications and computer games on behalf of the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments.  It is based in Sydney at the Office of Film and Literature Classification. 

The experience, skills and insights of Mr Hunt, Ms Banfield, Ms Carthew, Mr Fenton, Ms Greene, Mr Sanderson, Mr Smith and Ms Townsend will be valuable to the work of the Classification Board. 

Anchor Bay UK have just issued HITCH-HIKE on DVD. A cut print was released in the 80's on video in Australia. This was the fault of the distributor, and not the work of the OFLC.

First Run Features have reissued Tokyo Decadence on DVD in the US. The running time would seem to suggest that it is the same as the old Image disc. The OFLC gave it a Refused Classification back in 1992.

******

The 2003 French Film Festival is continuing to make its way around the country. Showing as part of the festival is the uncut version of Gaspar Noe’s Irreversible. Screening dates are as follows:

Further information can be found at the Festival's Website. You can also give your opinion at the site if you think that films such as this should be screening.

The Age and SMH have both featured articles on the film.

Reality shock. The Age 03.03.03

Irreversible’s graphic sex and violence rocked Cannes. Now the uncut film is bound for Melbourne’s French Film Festival. Stuart Jeffries and Victoria Gurvich report.

In 1995 the distributor appealed against the banning of both tapes. The Review Board agreed with the ban on the grounds that they  
"shall refuse to approve the classification of a film' that...promotes, incites or instructs in matters of crime or violence".

******

Keep those customs confiscations coming! Here is another one. This time from 1998 with a confirmation that the Dutch VHS release of BRIDE OF FRANK was seized.

******

Coming up on March 11th, and also from Image Entertainment, is a DVD release of Franco's VIRGIN AMONG THE LIVING DEAD. This was banned by the OFLC back in 1995, the film was subsequently cut in order to gain an R18+ rating.

******

Three more customs confiscations to add to the list. 

All are Japanese Hentai DVDs released by US company Nutech Digital. It's worth reporting that it took Customs nine weeks to inform the intended recipient that their DVDs were under inspection. During this time they assumed that the package (worth around $600) had been lost. This is a totally unacceptable length of time to take without even a letter of progress being sent.  The recipient informs me that the whole process would have undoubtedly taken much longer had they not continually bombarded Customs with calls. The remainder of the package (10 DVDs) were eventually released and forwarded on.

******

What would an update be without news of another CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST confiscation. This time it comes from 1998, the version reportedly taken was the Dutch Cult Epics Laser Disc.

******

Calvista Australia have received Refused Classification ratings for two Private Adult titles. 

First up is the Swedish production PRIVATE BLACK LABEL 29: PRIVATE CAFE directed by Sebastiano Brogi. This 91min VHS was banned on January 29th. 

This was followed by CASTINGS BY PIERRE WOODMAN #43, which was banned on February 10th. It was finally awarded an X18+ after the removal of 30minutes of footage! 
Two earlier entries in this series ran into trouble with the OFLC in 2002. #32 lost 16mins for an X18+, and #34 lost 21mins.

******

Speaking of our friends at customs. I've had reports of two more DVDs being seized. The EC Entertainment disc of CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST, and the UK Bfi release of SALO were both taken in 2002.

Sorry to keep repeating myself, but please continue sending these in. There is currently no other way to find out what customs are up to.

******

A new addition to the Links page is END CENSORSHIP IN AUSTRALIA.

******

The Adult DVD CUM WHORES that was banned back in September has now been passed with an X18+ rating. A revised 77min (v) print was passed for video release.

Gallery Entertainment have the honour of being the first company to receive a Refused Classification in 2003. Their proposed DVD release of Leisure Time's THE MOST INSANE PENETRATIONS CAUGHT ON FILM was banned on January 14th. 

A couple of days later Australia's other Adult movie distributor, Adultshop.com also suffered a similar fate. A VHS release of the VCA Pictures production SUNSET STRIPPED was also Refused Classification. We will have to wait and see if both distributors cut these titles to gain X18+ rating.

******

Finally, here are three more titles that have been added to the database. 

In 1980, all three had to be censored before R rated cinema releases could take place. Details of the actual cuts are difficult to find as none have ever been issued on video in Australia. I would say that all could now comfortably pass without any cuts. 

Expect lots more of these older censorship decisions to be added to the database over the coming months. Hopefully the site will eventually provide a detailed list of censored/banned films from the birth of the R rating in 1971 to the present.

******

The Attorney General released the following media release on advertising exemptions for films.

Cinema audiences will soon see a new advertising exemption message on their screens when they watch a trailer for an unclassified film.

Gone is the 'yellow slide' which read "this film is yet to be classified" because almost 80 per cent of Australians do not understand what it means.

The new-look advertising exemption message will be: 

This film has advertising approval. Please check the classification closer to the release date.

The new exemption message will be introduced into cinemas from January 2003.

The message is clearer and puts to rest any confusion that may exist at the moment. It is also designed to appeal to consumers and to lead them to where they can get more information.

For many years the familiar yellow slide has appeared on Australian cinema screens but recent market research by the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) has revealed that as few as one-in-five cinema-goers surveyed understood the message.

Most cinema audiences believed it meant the Classification Board was too busy or that the film distributors hadn't sent the film in for classification. The new message is designed to change this.

Under the Advertising Exemption Scheme, a distributor may apply for a certificate of exemption for advertising purposes before the film is classified. The exemption message is part of the scheme and gives advice to consumers.

The new message gives consumers the opportunity to fully use the classification scheme. Many people did not realise there is a very careful process in place checking advertising to ensure consumers have a good cinema experience.

Classifications of movies can be checked on the OFLC database at the website www.oflc.gov.au or in local media, trailers and other advertising close to the date of release.

 Exemption Fact Sheet