Antichrist Staying As-Is for UK Release
June 12th, 2009
I guess we'll see soon enough what cuts, if any, Lars von Trier's controversial Antichrist will endure upon its US release. In the meantime, however, it warmed my heart to learn that British censors are allowing UK distributor Artificial Eye to release the movie as-is with an "18" certificate.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, BBFC director David Cooke says that the censor's lack of intervention on the movie "reflects the principle, strongly endorsed in a number of public consultations, that adults should be free to decide for themselves what to watch or what not to watch, provided it is neither illegal nor harmful." Oh, my! What a rational concept! We Yanks could certainly use a bit of it on our shores.
The trade's article continues to explain that BBFC Guidelines for "18" rated works state that the more explicit images of sexual activity will not be allowed unless they can be exceptionally justified by context and the work is not a "sex work" whose primary purpose is sexual arousal. Said the BBFC: "For these purposes Antichrist is very clearly not a 'sex work.'"
Lord only knows what the MPAA will think about that interpretation of von Trier's vision.
- Debi Moore
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IFC is the studio that bought it for the US release, so there is a good chance they won't cut it at all. They have released movies unrated to small art houses before, and I'll bet they do that in this case. It's not like they're going to give 'Antichrist' a wide release in malls throughout America anyway, right?
Submitted by David on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 6:15pm.
One would like to think; however, it'll depend on if they opt to release it unrated or NC17, which is unlikely.
Submitted by The Woman In Black on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 6:17pm.
I just looked at the IFC website and the vast majority of their films appear to be unrated, bypassing the MPAA altogether. I think the only problem I'm going to have is finding a theater that'll actually play it.
Submitted by David on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 6:34pm.
Time to get ready for a long trip because there sure as hell isn't any theatres around Kansas that'll show this film. FML
_SedanHollows_
Submitted by rupp30 on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 8:14am.
Heh, I can't help but wonder if the word "cuts" was intentional here, given the confrontational castration scene.
check it! www.dannyisnthere.com
Submitted by xy marla on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 4:33pm.
:)
Submitted by The Woman In Black on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 4:57pm.
You know that they're going to cut it heavy over here probably which is bull shit. I really like what the UK is doing with this though. Thats great news for them.
_SedanHollows_
Submitted by rupp30 on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 1:10pm.