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AFI research collection
   
Reference Type web
Title The Age
Chapter/Web article title Censors give nod to explicit French film
Author(s)Steve Dow
Publication Date 13-04-2002
Citation Date
Site URL http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/04/12/1018333418300.html?oneclick=true
Comments Film classification

Film exhibition industry
Synopsis A report on the Australian Office of Film and Literature Classification's R-rating of controversial French film 'Baise-Moi'. Dubbed a 'hardcore Thelma and Louise', the film follows the story of a rape victim and prositute thirtsy for revenge. Roughly translated, the title of the film itself 'Baise-Moi' means 'Kiss Me, Rape Me or F--k Me' and the film doesn't hold back on 'depicting' graphic sex and violence. The classification of 'Baise-Moi' drew comparisons with the 2000 French film 'Romance' which also featured hardcore sex scenes, but whose ban was overturned after much publicity. As Des Clark from the Office of Film and Literature Classification testifies, the real issue with classifying films with strong sexual content is the depiction and context of the act: "on a general interpretation, simulated sex was permissible under an R-rating, but actual sex was not. However, the board retained the right to award Baise-Moi an R-rating "given the context"."



Dow also gains the perspective of several other experts including distributor Mark Spratt, exhibitor Paul Coulter, anti-censorship advocate Irene Graham, and independent senator Brian Harradine.

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