The Hunger Games Edited for UK Release
Steve Barton
|
Variety
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118051386
/may11/hungerthumb.jpg
Wait a second! Isn’t the U.S. supposed to be the one with the crazy uptight stick up its ass when it comes to cinema content?!? The UK is ALWAYS stealing our thunder, damn it!
According to Variety, Lionsgate U.K. has opted to shave seven seconds off Gary Ross’ adaptation of The Hunger Games for Brit audiences in order to achieve a 12A classification in the territory.
The film, which has received a PG-13 rating in the U.S. from the MPAA, was originally given an uncut 15 certificate from the British Board of Film Classification, but Lionsgate was keen to “achieve a particular category” to reach a wider audience in the U.K.
Kids under the age of 12 are allowed to watch 12A films at cinemas if they are taken by an adult. According to the BBFC, “a number of cuts were made in one scene to reduce an emphasis on blood and injury.” The finished film was diluted by seven seconds by “digitally removing sight of blood splashes and sight of blood on wounds and weapons.”
The recent cuts follow certain changes that were made to the film prior to its submission to the BBFC. During post-production Lionsgate was advised that the film was likely to receive a 15 certificate but that its preferred 12A rating “could be achieved by making a number of cuts and visual reductions.” At that point, according to the BBFC, “cuts had been made in four scenes of violence and in one scene showing details of injuries.”
God forbid children are allowed to see a little bit of blood on wounds. And here’s a good question … why the hell are you taking kids under the age of 12 to the movies to see a flick about kids killing each other anyway?
The Hunger Games, directed by Gary Ross, stars Donald Sutherland, Woody Harrelson, Wes Bentley, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Liam Hemsworth, Paula Malcolmson, Willow Shields, Latarsha Rose, Lenny Kravitz, Brooke Bundy, Leven Rambin & Jack Quaid (#1), Alexander Ludwig & Isabelle Fuhrman (#2), Ian Nelson & Kalia Prescott (#3), Ethan Jamieson & Tara Macken (#4), Chris Mark & Jackie Emerson (#5), Ashton Moio & Kara Petersen (#6), Sam Ly & Leigha Hancock (#7), Samuel Tan & Mackenzie Lintz (#8), Imanol Yepez-Frias & Annie Thurman (#9), Jeremy Marinas & Dakota Hood (#10), Amandla Stenberg & Dayo Okeniyi (#11), and Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss) & Josh Hutcherson (Peeta) (#12).
Synopsis:
Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one survivor remains.
Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss (Lawrence) is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
Lionsgate will release The Hunger Games on March 23, 2012.
Be sure to keep your eyes on the official The Hunger Games Facebook page and the official The Hunger Games Twitter feed for updates leading up to the film’s release.
Got news? Click here to submit it!
Fight to the death in the comments section below!
Categorized:Uncategorized
