I am Chut Wutty is a 2015 UK / Cambodia animation biography
by Fran Lambrick and Vanessa de Smet. Starring Helen Mirren, John Lynch and Donal McCann.
Cambodia: Banned in April 2016
Cambodia's
Ministry of Censorship Culture has banned a screening of a documentary film about murdered environmentalist Chut Wutty and threatened strong action against the venue if films continue to be shown without first being cleared by the government. A
letter sent from the Ministry to Meta House yesterday states:
The film has not been subject to a content check and was made without permission for shooting from the ministry and competent authorities.
Chhay Bora, president of the Motion Picture Association of Cambodia noted that often films have been shot and screened without permission and the blocking of I Am Chut Wutty
may be because this is a sensitive topic .
Summary Notes
In one of the last remaining wildernesses in South East Asia, Cambodian community activists are struggling to defend their forest home.
Their leader, Chut Wutty, defies threats and intimidation to investigate the corrupt logging syndicates. At an illegal, military controlled site in the Cardamom Mountains Wutty is stopped and shot dead. Featuring exclusive footage with Wutty in the
months leading up to his death, I am Chut Wutty asks why did he die, and can his network fight for the forest without him?
Availability
UK: Uncut and BBFC unrated for:
UK 2016 Journeyman Pictures VoD [UK only] at UK Amazon
US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:
US 2016 Journeyman Pictures VOD to rent/buy [US only] at US Amazon
I am Gay and Muslim is
a 2012 Netherlands/Morocco documentary biography by Chris Belloni. With Rayan Rayan.
Kyrgyzstan: Banned
Summary Review: Secretiveness
This intimate documentary follows a number of young Moroccan gay men in their
exploration of their religious and sexual identity. The men portrayed in the film openly share their personal experiences and talk about the ambiguity and secretiveness of the life they feel condemned to live.
v I Am Samuel
- 2020 Kenya / Canada / UK / USA documentary by Peter Murimi
I Am Samuel is a 2020 Kenya / Canada / UK / USA
documentary by Peter Murimi Starring Steve Zahn, Jillian Bell and Sasha Knight
Banned in Kenya.
Kenya: Banned in September
2021
The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) has banned the gay documentary I am Samuel claiming that it sought to propagate values that are in dissonance with our constitution, culture values and norms. KFCB boss Christopher Wambua
declared the film to be blasphemous and added:
Worse still, the production is demeaning of Christianity as two gay men in the film purport to conduct a religious marriage invoking the name of the Father, the Son and the
Holy Spirit.
Directed by a Kenyan filmmaker, I Am Samuel depicts a romantic relationship between two men living in Nairobi and promotes same-sex marriage as an acceptable way of life.
Summary Notes
Filmed verite style over five years, I Am Samuel is an intimate portrait of a Kenyan man torn between balancing duty to his family with his dreams for his future.
I Spit on Your Grave is a 1981 US revenge film by Meir Zarchi. With Camille Keaton, Eron Tabor and Richard Pace.
The film was banned as one of the most notable video nasties in 1983. It was
unbanned after massive BBFC cuts for 2001 and 2006 DVD. These cuts were reduced to about half in 2010. Cut in the US for an R rating but MPAA Unrated releases are uncut.
Prohibited in accordance with Section 7 of The Video Recordings Act 1989 on the grounds that in the opinion of the Acting Director of Film Classification it depicts acts of gross violence and cruelty
(including torture) towards Humans
UK: Banned as a video nasty for 1982 Wizard/Astra VHS
The video was one of the prime targets of the moral press and it was listed as a
Video Nasty in July 1983. It stayed on the list throughout so is therefore one the collectable DPP39s
Summary Review: Brutal
The film is evenly paced and unrelenting. One is forced to confront the brutality of rape and violence.
The actress is quite convincing and deserves recognition. The men are sickening and easily hated; they are just vicious
animals without any redeeming qualities, yet they are believable.
Without question, the rape scenes are some of the most disturbing moments in cinematic history. The castration scene is unparalleled.
I Spit on
Your Grave is a 2010 US revenge film by Steven R Monroe. With Sarah Butler, Jeff Branson and Andrew Howard.
Summary Notes
A writer
who is brutalized during her cabin retreat seeks revenge on her attackers, who left her for dead.
New Zealand: Banned by the New Zealand's OFLC with the following justification:
The [2010 remake]
contains long and realistic scenes showing the brutal terrorisation and rape of a woman by a group of men. Later scenes show her implausible but sadistic vengeance against her tormentors.
It encouraged attitudes that contribute to
sexual violence, torture by terror and other extremes of cruelty and violence, particularly against women.
The treatment of the woman before she is raped, is an all-too-plausible and realistic version of the kind of abuse meted
out to many women. There is minimal effort to explain the sadistic behaviour of the male characters.
The length of the scenes and their gratuitous focus on [her] suffering offer maximum opportunity for misogynistic pleasure.
Viewers are repeatedly invited to share the point of view of the rapists and are therefore placed in the position of prurient voyeurs.
Some viewers may well identify with male dominance and power, and echo the men's enjoyment of
the woman's terror and humiliation.
I Want Your Love is a 2012 USA gay drama by Travis Mathews.
With Jesse Metzger, Brontez Purnell, Ben Jasper.
Australia: Banned from film festival showings by the Australian Censorship Board in 2013
Promotional Material
The hotly anticipated debut feature film from director Travis
Mathews (INTERIOR. LEATHER BAR) is a bold and unflinching look at gay relationships among a group of San Francisco friends, which includes scenes of real sex, striking controversy amongst global film censors, including Australia where the film was banned
in 2013.
After a decade of living in San Francisco, Jesse is forced to move back to his Midwestern roots because he can no longer afford the city. On his final night in the city, friends and ex-lovers gather for a going away party
that promises to heighten Jesse's already bittersweet feelings about leaving into sharper focus. Torn between his creative dreams and the reality of earning a living, he's forced to take responsibility by redefining what it means to be an artist, a gay
man, and an adult.
Featuring music from The Chromatics, I WANT YOUR LOVE is a passionate and deeply intimate film, that dares to capture the uncensored zeitgeist of modern-day San Francisco unlike any film before it.
Ichi the Killer is a 2001 Japan action crime comedy by Takashi Miike. Starring Tadanobu Asano, Nao Ômori and Shin'ya Tsukamoto. Germany: Banned
The film has been banned and subsequently cut by 18 minutes
Malaysia: Banned
Norway: Banned in 2001:
Censorship Authority in Norway
believes that Ichi The Killer contrary to the Penal Code section 382, relating to improper use of severe violence for entertainment purposes.
UK: Cut for an 18 rating
The BBFC has required 11 cuts (approximately three and a quarter minutes of screen time) to the Japanese cinema film Ichi the Killer . The cuts have been made to remove extreme sexualised violence. These are the most substantial cuts
required by the BBFC to an 18 rated film since 1994.
New Zealand: The cut UK version was released in New Zealand
Hong King: Cut by 13 minutes
US: Cut for an MPAA R rating
Summary Review
As sadomasochistic yakuza enforcer Kakihara
searches for his missing boss he comes across Ichi, a repressed and psychotic killer who may be able to inflict levels of pain that Kakihara has only dreamed of.
I have come away with the impression that Miike is a brilliant
filmmaker capable of forcing extreme reactions from his viewers. Hollywood should take note of this guy and bring him over here for a project or two. Miike's warped visions would send American censors scrambling for a sedative, and most mainstream
viewers would recoil from the graphic nature of this director's films.
A word of warning for those thinking of indulging in "Ichi the Killer": the movie is loaded with sadism, gore, black comedy, and all around
unpleasantness. It's a tough watch, even for a gore fan.
In a Glass Cage is a 1987 Spain drama by Agustí Villaronga. With Günter Meisner, David Sust and Marisa Paredes. Australia: Banned
The Mardi Gras Film Festival 1995 showing was banned by the Australian film. The ban was confirmed on appeal. See article from
refused-classification.com
The 2005 DVD release was banned by the film censor and this was confirmed on appeal.
UK: Never made it to the UK, perhaps in [probably misplaced] fear of BBFC censorship.
Summary Review: A Black Heart
A former Nazi doctor-turned-pedophile, paralyzed from
the neck down after a suicide attempt, is forced to accept a boy as his nurse under threat of blackmail. The boy possesses the man's diary, which details his wartime experiments and his subsequent descent into pedophilia and murder. Before long, the boy
displays his ambition to follow in the older man's footsteps.
Although it is frequently mesmerizing and brilliantly filmed, its aesthetic beauty is unable to disguise its nihilism and black heart. The film nevertheless presents
one of the only truly effective psychological portraits of human evil on film. It's a schizophrenic film to say the least. But it's an unforgettable one, as well.
India's Most Wanted is a
2019 India action thriller by Raj Kumar Gupta (as Rajkumar Gupta) Starring Arjun Kapoor, Rajesh Sharma and Gaurav Mishra.
Dubai: Banned in May 2019
Film censors in
UAE banned the film when the producers declined to delete a line of dialogue saying that most terrorists are based either in Pakistan or Dubai,
The director, Raj Kumar Gupta, explained:
Yes the film will not release in
Dubai. There were some issues which could not be sorted and hence this decision. Yes the said dialogue is there in the film and it is a factual one based on the research that has been conducted. So we did not want to do away with the dialogue and decided
on retaining it in the film even if it entailed a non-release in Dubai.
Summary Notes
India's Most Wanted is an upcoming Bollywood action thriller film directed by
Raj Kumar Gupta starring Arjun Kapoor and Amrita Puri. The film is about tracking a terrorist in a secret mission and arresting him without firing bullets. It pays tribute to unsung heroes of our society.
Insects in the
Backyard is a 2010 Thailand drama by Tanwarin Sukkhapisit. Starring Nonpavit Dansriboon, Suchada Rojmanothum and Tanwarin Sukkhapisit.
Thailand: Unbanned in 2017
The film was
released in 2017 after a 3s censor cut.
Thailand: Banned in 2010
The film was banned in 2010 on the grounds that it infringed good public morals through its many scenes of sexual intercourse and prostitution.
The ban
was challenged in court n 2015, the court ruled that the film's content did not contradict good morals but that a three-second scene containing pornographic content should be banned.
If the scene in question was cut, the film could be screened with a
20+ audience rating.
Summary Notes
In the absence of their parents, Johnny (15) and Jennifer (17) are being brought up by their "big sister" Tanya, an overdressed transvestite who eats and
smokes too much and causes both kids endless embarrassment. It's a situation ripe for problems (actually, more complicated than I've made it sound), and Tanwarin's debut feature - as director, writer and star - explores those problems with unbridled
determination. Both kids mess up their pursuit of romance, in the ways that teenagers do, and both look for ways to break away from the family home and become independent. For Johnny, this entails going into male prostitution, which is as much an attempt
to erase his own self-esteem as a way of earning some fast bucks. Jenny makes other mistakes, but both of them wind up deeply dissatisfied. And Tanya? When Johnny catches her trying to seduce one of his buddies, things start to go downhill for her too.
The film had considerable difficulties in getting the necessary censor certificate from India's Central Board of Film
Certification. The main stumbling block appears to be that it deals with the sensitive and highly political subject of how the Indian armed forces have conducted themselves in Kashmir...presumably badly.
The series and timing of events by which
this film's review by the censor has proceeded is unusual, and suggestive of political considerations playing a part in the award of a censor's certificate:
On 28 October 2010, Pankaja Thakur (CEO of the New Delhi office of censor board ) reviewed the film and cleared it for a single private screening. An initial review by a senior censor official would normally indicate that the remainder of the
certification process is a formality.
A review committee in Mumbai , where the film's application for censor certification had been made, subsequently rejected the application altogether.
A second review committee confirmed the ban. As
reported in The Hindu newspaper, sources from India's Ministry of Information & Broadcasting noted that "the problem with the CBFC's committees is that many of the nominated members are either related to government officials like police officers
or have a conservative outlook.". Normally, filmmakers are invited to present their case for gaining certification at such reviews, but Kumar and his colleagues were not invited.
However, Sharmila Tagore , the well-known Indian actress and
current chairperson of the Censor Board pressed for a third review. This review was handled in a way that clearly put Kumar at a disadvantage: Kumar received an email from the censor board on 28 December, while in Mumbai, informing him that the review
would take place the very next day in New Delhi -- 800 miles away. This unexpected shift in venue, and hurried timing of the notification, may have been designed to ensure that Kumar would not be able to present his case directly before the review
committee. Following this review, the Censor Board awarded the film an "Adult" ("A") certificate.
The award of an "Adult" certificate for a documentary is very unusual, since an Adult certificate is normally awarded to feature films that include graphic violence and nudity. Such films can be shown only to audiences over the age of 18,
and most movie theaters in India will not ordinarily agree to screen such films since it is very difficult to for them to make money in the circumstances.
The explanation for awarding Inshallah, Football was that the film has "characters talking about graphic details of physical and mental torture they had to undergo. The theme of the film is mature and some dialogues can be psychologically damaging for non-adult audience."
Kumar, however, asserts that the real purpose of this censorship is to avoid causing embarrassment to the Indian government, with regard to the conduct of the Indian armed forces in Kashmir.
Summary Notes
In Iraq, there is 1 soldier for every 166 civilians. In Kashmir, there is 1 for every 20. A Hizbul Mujaheddin ex-militant, his son- a footballer, an Argentinean football coach and his sparkling Brazilian wife grapple with
life on the streets of Kashmir. A Kashmiri kid dreams to play football in Brazil, but life in a silent war gets in the way.
Interspecies
Reviewers is a 2020 Japan anime comedy romance TV series Starring Junji Majima, Yűsuke Kobayashi and Miyu Tomita
A home video release was banned in Australia in August 2021.
Australia: The video was banned by the Australian Censorship Board on 17th August 2021. The censors explained:
The film is classified RC in accordance with the National Classification Code, Films
Table, 1. (b) as films that depict in a way that is likely to cause offence to a reasonable adult, a person who is, or appears to be, a child under 18 (whether the person is engaged in sexual activity or not).
Summary Notes
From elves to succubi to fairies and more, Our heroes: Stunk, a human, Zel, an elf and a hermaphrodite angel named Crimvael are here to rate the red-light delights of all manner of monster girls
v The Interview - 2014
USA action comedy by Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen.
The Interview is a 2014 USA action comedy by Evan
Goldberg and Seth Rogen. Starring James Franco, Seth Rogen and Randall Park.
US: Initially banned by North Korea
Producers Sony were hacked by an organisation slightly unconvincingly attributed to North Korea. The hackers seemingly threatened violence against cinemas showing the film and unsurprisingly cinemas pulled out from showing the film. Sony responded by totally withdrawing the film from theatrical release.
Sony later allowed smaller independent cinemas to show the film but larger cinema chains chose not to screen the film
The 'ban' soon fizzled out.
Cambodia : Banned from cinema and TV
The Cambodian government
responded to a request from North Korea to ban the movie. The government promised that the film would be banned from TV and cinema but seemed to lack the ability to control distribution via DVD. Not a formal ban as distributors dodn't then bother submit
the film for approval for a thatrical release.
Malaysia: Banned or political content
North Korea: Banned
North Korean censors must have said something along the lines: Thou shalt not mock our much beloved
dictator Kim Jong-un.
Summary Notes
Dave Skylark and his producer Aaron Rapoport run the popular celebrity tabloid TV show "Skylark Tonight." When they discover that North Korean
dictator Kim Jong-un is a fan of the show, they land an interview with him in an attempt to legitimize themselves as journalists.
Availability
UK: Passed 15 uncut for strong sex references, bloody violence,
very strong language for:
Inxeba is a 2017 South Africa / Germany / Netherlands / France gay romance by John Trengove. Starring Nakhane Touré, Bongile Mantsai and Niza Jay. South Africa: Censors censured
Award-winning movie Inxeba's reclassification as pornography has been overturned by the High Court in Pretoria' on the grounds that it was procedurally unfair and unlawful.
However, Judge Joseph Raulinga has stressed that Inxeba (The Wound)' which depicts a homosexual relationship between two men at an initiation school' violated the rights to dignity of Xhosa people. Furthermore' he said' if cultural beliefs and
practices are to be considered' the film is harmful and disturbing and exposes 16-year-olds to the sexual conduct depicted in the film.
South Africa: Provisionally unbanned by the High Court in March 2018
Unbanned by a
Pretoria High Court Order and will be back on mainstream cinema screens again from March 9.
This is the result of a High Court order granted in the urgent application brought by Webber Wentzel on behalf of the film's producers and distributor to
reverse the X18 rating and enables the film to return to the public domain and be relieved of its imprisonment in sex shops, branded as pornography.
While this outcome has provided momentary relief to the film as it can be screened in mainstream
cinema with the rating of 18, the lifting of the ban is, however, only temporary, pending the outcome of review proceedings before the court, which will be heard on March 28.
South Africa: Banned from cinemas in February 2018
Inxeba (The Wound) is a film centred around an African custom of adulthood initiation via a circumcision ritual. It contains two simulated sex scenes and has a gay storyline.
South African film censors at Film and Publication Board (FPB}
originally awarded a straightforward 16 LS rating for language and sex.
The gay theme wound up local conservatives of the Gauteng branch of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of SA (Contralesa) and cultural organisation the Man and Boy Foundation and
an appeal against the rating was lodged.
The result of the appeal was that the rating was upgraded to an X18 rating which is generally reserved for explicit hardcore pornography. Similarly to the UK, the movie can then only be screened at licensed
porn cinemas, and it is effectively banned from mainstream cinemas.
Summary Notes
Xolani, a lonely factory worker, travels to the rural mountains with the men of his community to initiate a group of
teenage boys into manhood. When a defiant initiate from the city discovers his best-kept secret, Xolani's entire existence begins to unravel.
Availability
UK: Passed 15 uncut for strong sex, language, drug
misuse for:
The Irrefutable Truth About Demons is a 2000 New Zealand horror thriller fantasy by Glenn Standring. With Karl Urban, Katie Wolfe, Jonathon Hendry. India:
Banned by the CBFC in 2001
Summary Review: Horror Gem
Anthropologist Harry Ballard researches obscure demon cults and sects since his brother died, victim of one of those same demon-worshiping cults. One day he receives a threat from a so-called Black
Convent, whose leader seeks to prey on Ballard. With the help of a strange, sexy woman he makes his way through the night in search of his salvation and the redemption of his lost brother.
Karl Urban has a hand in making this a
horror gem. There are plenty of fast and violent action scenes with a lot of occult symbolism. Highly recommended
Javed Iqbal: The Untold Story of A Serial
Killer is a 2022 Pakistan crime thriller by Abu Aleeha Starring Kaleem Ghori, Yasir Hussain and Rabya Kulsoom
Banned in Pakistan in March 2022.
Summary Notes
The story of serial killer Javed Iqbal, who sexually abused and killed more than 100 children in Lahore between 1998 and 1999.
Pakistan: Banned in March 2022
The movie Javed Iqbal:
The Untold Story of A Serial Killer was eagerly awaited in its native Pakistan but after a preview screening in Karachi it was abruptly pulled by the government's Central Bureau of Film Censors, despite it initially receiving censor approval. The
decision was met with widespread condemnation by the film community and those who had been involved in the Javed Iqbal investigation.
A high court case is currently ongoing in a bid to retract the decision.
v Jigsaw
- 2017 USA / Canada horror thriller by Michael Spierig and Peter Spierig.
Jigsaw is a 2017 USA / Canada horror thriller by Michael Spierig and Peter Spierig. Starring Laura Vandervoort and Tobin Bell and Callum Keith Rennie.
Uncut in the UK, US and Australia but it was notably downrated from an 18 rating to a 15 rating on appeal in Australia. The film was banned in Malaysia
Summary Notes
Bodies are turning up around the city, each having met a uniquely gruesome demise. As the investigation proceeds, evidence points to one man: John Kramer. But how can this be? The man known as Jigsaw has been dead for over a decade.
Versions
uncut
run:
91:47s
pal:
88:07s
Australia
Australia
UK: Uncut and BBFC 18 rated for strong bloody violence, injury detail:
2018 Lionsgate Home Entertainment RB 4K Blu-ray at UK Amazon
2018 Lionsgate Home Entertainment RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
2018 Lionsgate Home Entertainment R2 DVD at UK Amazon
2017 Lionsgate UK cinema release (rated 14/08/2017)
Australia:
There has been a bit of a buzz that the latest film in the Saw franchise is perhaps not quite so close to the cutting edge of torture porn. And this has now been confirmed by an appeal against an adults-only R18+
rating from the Australian Censorship Board. The Review Board that heard the appeal have reduced the R18+ rating to MA15+ which would perhaps be called a 15A in the UK system.
banned
Malaysia
Malaysia: Banned in 2017
The film was banned by the country's film censor for strong horror themes and gruesome violence
Jolly LLB 2 is a 2017 India comedy drama by Subhash Kapoor. Starring Sudhanva Deshpande, Avijit Dutt and Nikhil Dwivedi.
Pakistan: Banned in February 2017
The reason is put down to the Pakistan film censors policy rule to ban all Indian films referencing
Kashmir, a region with a long history of dispute between India and Pakistan.
UK: Cut in 2017
Passed 12A for moderate violence, occasional bloody images, suicide scene after 23s of BBFC category cuts for:
2017 cinema release
Summary Notes
Jolly is a clumsy lawyer who is faced with representing the most critical court case of his career.
Joyland is a 2022 Pakistan drama by Saim Sadiq Starring Rasti
Farooq, Sarwat Gilani and Ali Junejo
Banned by Pakistan's government in November 2022. Unbanned after cuts a few days later but the film is still banned locally in Punjab.
Summary
Notes
As the happily patriarchal Rana family craves for the birth of a baby boy, the youngest of the Rana men secretly joins an erotic dance theatre and finds himself falling for a fiercely ambitious trans starlet.
Their impossible love story slowly illuminates the entire Rana family's...
Pakistan: Banned in Punjab November 2022.
Less than 24 hours after the national government's decision to unban Joyland, the Punjab
government blocked the film's release in the province.
The Punjab Information and Culture Department explained that the Punjab government decided to re-call Joyland in the wake of persistent complaints received from different quarters.
Pakistan: Unbanned November 2022.
Pakistani film Joyland has been unbanned by the censor board of Pakistan after making several scenes were cut.
The full censor board has allowed the local screening of Joyland.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed a cabinet committee to look into the matter after some schools of thought had objected to the movie.
Pakistan: Banned November 2022.
Joyland, which is Pakistan's contender
at the Oscars, was set to go on national release, but was banned following pressure from hardline Islamic groups who called the film repugnant.
Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, a senator in the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) party, called Joyland cultural terrorism and
criticised the government for the shameless act of allowing its release:
I condemn it and will use every legal step to stop Joyland's release. Glamourising transgenders in Pakistan, as well as their love affairs, is a
direct attack on our beliefs.
Cancelling the film's licence, which puts its Oscars' contention in doubt, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, said:
Written complaints were received that the
film contains highly objectionable material which do not conform with the social values and moral standards of our society and is clearly repugnant to the norms of 'decency and morality' as laid down in Section 9 of the Motion Picture Ordinance, 1979.
Justice League is a 2017 USA action Sci-Fi fantasy by Zack
Snyder. Starring Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot and Jason Momoa.
Lebanon : Banned in December 2017
The movie has been banned by state censors as star Gal Gadot had served in the Israeli forces under
the country's national service. Gadot's two years of service coincided with the 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon, one of many wars and conflicts the bitter rivals have been involved in over the decades.
Palestine: Withdrawn by
distributors in December 2017
Palestine Cinema Tower, Palestinians' largest film distributor, banned the film Justice League in Ramallah for violating censorship rules.
The decisions was made after local protest was sparked by a viral
campaign built all in Arabic focusing on Israeli actress Gal Gadot's nationality and role as Wonder Woman.
Promotional Material
Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman's
selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his new found ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of met humans to stand against this newly awakened threat. But
despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes; Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and The Flash, it may already be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.
Ka Bodyscapes is a 2016 India / USA gay drama by Jayan
Cherian. Starring Adhithi, Tinto Arayani and Arundhathi.
India October 2018: Released
The film was released on 5th October in Thiruvananthapuram. The opening didn't lease everyone and posters
of the film were found vandalised in various parts of Ernakulam.
India: September 2017, Unbanned
After pressure from the Kerala high court, the CBFC granted Ka Bodyscapes an adults only 'A' rating after demanding the
following cuts:
Removal of all references to the right wing nationalist political party, RSS, and the saffron flag wherever they appear in the movie.
Additionally, the makers of the film have also been directed to delete all the visuals containing photos of
the RSS founder KB Hedgewar and ideologue MS Golwalkar from the movie,
removal of a scene with a female character that is shown masturbating.
The supposedly objectionable and disrespectful visual of a painting depicting Lord Hanuman
carrying books in his hand.
India: August 2017, Contemptible delays
Kerala high court moves closer to holding the CBFC in contempt as the film censor pussyfoots around reviewing its decision. The latest claim by the CBFC is that the film remains
banned because there was no unanimous decision among the members of the Board. The court noted that a vote would be sufficient and that unanimity was not required.
India: July 2017, CBFC dragging its heals
Despite an order from the Kerala high court demanding that the CBFC unban the film (although cuts are allowed), the censors are dragging their heels. They ludicrously claim that they cannot afford a board wide meeting to decide on cuts required.
India: Ban upheld by 2nd revising committee in March 2017
A 2nd Revising Committee from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has refused to certify the Malayalam film Ka Bodyscapes, saying it glorified the
subject of gay and homosexual relationship and portrayed the Hindu religion in a derogatory manner by showing Hanuman in poor light as gay . It also objected to the portrayal of a Muslim woman masturbating.
Meanwhile the CBFC has appealed
against a court decision requiring the film censors to consider cuts and explain why a ban is necessary.
India: Ban challenged in court in September 2016
The CBFC ban is being challenged in court and it seems that the
court is calling the CBFC's bluff.
The court has asked the CBFC to explain more precisely which censorship rules are being broken and how these transgressions require a ban rather than cuts. The court added that if the objection concerned only the
depiction of the Hindu God Hanuman and the reference to masturbation of women and homosexuality, there was no need to ban the exhibition of the film, as the scenes could be deleted or modified.
The CBFC failed to heed the court requests and further
legal action will now commence. In the meantime the censors continue to ban the film from festival showings.
India : Banned by the CBFC in July 2016
In a rejection letter sent to the maker of the film, A. Prathibha,
regional officer of the CBFC in Thiruvananthapuram, wrote:
The revising committee felt that the entire content of the Malayalam feature film Ka Bodyscapes is ridiculing, insulting and humiliating Hindu religion, in
particular portraying Hindu Gods in poor light. Derogatory words are used against women. The Hindu God 'Hanuman' is shown as coming in the books titled 'I am Gay' and other homosexual books. The film has also references to lady masturbating, highlighting
'gay' by many 'gay' posters. The film offends human sensibilities by vulgarity, obscenity and depravity.
Summary Notes
Three young people, Haris, a gay painter; Vishnu, a rural
kabaddi player and their friend Sia, an activist who refuse to conform to dominant norms of femininity, struggle to find space and happiness in a conservative Indian City.
The Kashmir Files is a 2022 India historical thriller by Vivek Agnihotri Starring Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty and Darshan Kumaar
Singapore: Banned in May 2022
The Indian hit film The Kashmir Files has been banned in Singapore by the country's InfoComm Media Development Authority, on the grounds that it could supposedly disturb
religious harmony.
The IMDA said that it had consulted with the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the Ministry of Home Affairs, and that they together found the film to have exceeded the Film Classification Guidelines for its provocative
and one-sided portrayal of Muslims and the depictions of Hindus being persecuted in the on-going conflict in Kashmir saying:
These representations have the potential to cause enmity between different communities and
disrupt social cohesion and religious harmony in Singapore's multi-racial and multi-religious society.
UAE: Briefly banned in March 2022
Briefly banned by the UAE film censors but the decision
was reversed and the film was released uncut.
New Zealand: Uprated
The New Zealand film censor initially passed the film R16 but this was uprated to R18 in response to muslim 'concerns'.
Summary Notes
The Kashmir Files is a story, based on video interviews of the first generation victims of the Genocide of Kashmiri Pandit Community In 1990.
It tells the story of Ms Gandhi's Sikh bodyguards who shot her dead apparently to avenge her decision to send troops in a deadly raid on the Golden
Temple. Sikhs say thousands were murdered when the army entered Sikhism's holiest shrine in Amritsar to flush out militants. Mrs Gandhi's assassination triggered an outburst of communal violence targeted at Sikhs and more than 3,000 Sikhs were killed in
attacks across India.
Chief film censor Leela Samson said after a review of the movie:
We saw the film and decided that it must not be released.
The home ministry earlier voiced serious concern at
the content of the Punjabi film, and asked the I&B ministry to take a relook at its clearance. It said the Punjabi-language film Kaum De Heere may affect communal harmony in Punjab and other northern states.
Availability
UK: Passed 15 uncut for strong bloody violence for:
2014 cinema release
v Ken Park
- 2002 USA/Netherlands/France drama by Larry Clark and Edward Lachman.
Ken Park is a 2002 USA/Netherlands/France drama by Larry Clark and
Edward Lachman. With Adam Chubbuck, James Bullard, Seth Gray.
Australia: Banned in 2003
Ken Park was originally scheduled as part of the 2003 Sydney Film Festival, but the Office of Film and Literature Classification (now known as the Australian Classification
Board) handed down a ban, citing the work's prolonged scenes of unsimulated sex.
A screening at the Balmain Town Hall was stopped by police as the opening credits rolled, prompting critic David Stratton to observe: "It is an explicit film, and it
is a confronting film, but it's a film that certainly deserves to be seen by an adult audience. It's sad that we in this country today have got to a stage where adults can't choose whether or not to see a film like this."
Summary
Review: Not About Much
It's about several Californian skateboarder's life and relationships with and without their parents.
Ken Park has not received widespread distribution due to
the depiction of young teenagers in acts of urination, cunnilingus, auto erotic asphyxiation and group sex. It is all simulated bar for one act -- a young man was genuinely masturbating.
The reason I dislike this film, as
I did both Kids and Bully (two movies that appear tame by comparison), is simply because once you take away the shocking aspects of it - the violence, the no-holds-barred sex scenes - it really isn't about anything much.
Availability
UK: Hasn't had a UK release yet. It is reported that Larry Clark punched the only potential distributor to date, putting an end to the release.
Marathi film Khairlanjichya Mathyawar has now been officially banned by the courts and cannot be screened in any theatre or
film festivals. The certification, U/A, which had previously been issued by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), has been withdrawn and the makers of the film have to apply and re-issue another certificate to screen it.
The movie based on
the real life tragedy in which four members of Bhotmange family were lynched by a frenzied mob in Khairlanji village in Bhandara on September 29, 2006.
Director Raju Meshram said:
The court has banned the film and CBFC
has asked us to have a meeting with Bhaiyalal Bhotmange, the lone survivor of the incident, before we proceed with the case. We are planning to have a discussion with him in Mumbai soon.
When contacted, Bhotmange said:
We had appealed to the court and I am glad that the film has been stopped from being screened. I am also not interested in having any discussion with the makers in Mumbai, as I feel that my deceased family's sentiments have been hurt.
If they want, they can come to Nagpur, but I am not going to change my mind.
Summary Notes
This film is based on Khairlanji massacre took place in an interior village
of Maharashtra in 2006. The wife and daughter of a poor farmer were raped and paraded naked before they were killed. This was allegedly done because the farmer opposed registration of their field to built a road through it.
v The Killing Of America
- 1981 USA / Japan crime documentary by Sheldon Renan and Leonard Schrader (uncredited).
The Killing Of
America is a 1981 USA / Japan crime documentary by Sheldon Renan and Leonard Schrader (uncredited). Starring Chuck Riley, Ed Dorris and Thomas Noguchi.
Not formally banned in the US, but the film was never released,
distributed, televised nor made available for sale in the USA, from when the documentary was produced in 1981, until released on home video by Severin in 2016.
The film was however released in Japan and the UK where it was passed 18 uncut by the BBFC
in 2000.
US: Informally banned from 1981 to 2016
Promotional Material
In 1982, filmmakers Seldon Renan and Academy Award® nominee Leonard Schrader (KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN,
MISHIMA, BLUE COLLAR) created a graphic and provocative examination of America's history with and penchant for senseless violence, mass shootings and cold-blooded murder. It was condemned as exploitive and obscene (The New York Times), acclaimed as
among the most controversial documentaries in the history of cinema (Fantasia Festival), and never distributed, televised or made available for sale in the United States.
Availability
UK: Passed 18 uncut
for:
2016 Blue Undergorund/Severin Films [US + Japanese Versions] R0 Blu-ray at UK Amazon
2016 Blue Undergorund/Severin Films [US Version only] R2 DVD at UK Amazon
2000 Cine-Verite video
US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:
2016 Severin Films [US + Japanese Version] R0 Blu-ray at US Amazon
2016 Severin
Films [US version only] R0 DVD at US Amazon
Kingsman: The Golden Circle is a 2017 UK / USA action comedy adventure by Matthew Vaughn.
Starring Taron Egerton, Colin Firth and Mark Strong.
Banned in Cambodia in 2017.
Cambodia: Banned in October 2017
Cambodia has banned the movie Kingsman: The Golden Circle over its alleged
negative portrayal of the country. Bok Borak, from the Ministry of Censorship Culture told The Phnom Penh Post that the film's clear reference to Cambodia as a place where villains are based and make trouble for the world as a major point of concern.
Availability
UK: The UK Version was passed 15 uncut for strong violence, language, sex references, drugs misuse for:
2018 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment RB Blu-ray/RB 4k Blu-ray at UK
Amazon
2018 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment RB Blu-ray at UK
Amazon
2018 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment R2 DVD at UK Amazon
2017 Twentieth Century Fox cinema release
Summary Notes
When the Kingsman headquarters are destroyed and the world is held hostage, their journey leads them to the discovery of an allied spy organization in the US called Statesman,
dating back to the day they were both founded. In a new adventure that tests their agents' strength and wits to the limit, these two elite secret organizations band together to defeat a ruthless common enemy, in order to save the world, something that's
becoming a bit of a habit for Eggsy...
The Kite Runner is a 2007 USA / China / UK /
Afghanistan drama by Marc Forster. Starring Khalid Abdalla, Ahmad Khan Mahmoodzada and Atossa Leoni.
Uncut around the world but banned in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan:
Banned in 2008
Afghanistan has banned the import and exhibition of The Kite Runner on the grounds that it could incite violence. Latif Ahmadi, the head of state-run Afghan Film told Reuters:
On
the basis of the instruction of the Information and Culture Ministry, The Kite Runner film's depiction and import has been banned. Because some of its scenes are questionable and unacceptable for some people and would cause sensitiveness and would cause
trouble for the government and people.
In one controversial scene, Hassan is raped in an alley by a Pashtun bully. The rape scene is considered inflammatory and anti-Islamic in Afghan society.
Summary Notes
In the 70's in Afghanistan, the Pushtun boy Amir and the Hazara boy Hassan, who is his loyal friend and son of their Hazara servant Ali, are raised together in Amir's father house, playing and kiting on the streets of
a peaceful Kabul. Amir feels that his wise and good father Baba blames him for the death of his mother in the delivery, and also that his father loves and prefers Hassan to him. In return, Amir feels a great respect for his father's best friend Rahim
Khan, who supports his intention to become a writer. After Amir winning a competition of kiting, Hassan runs to bring a kite to Amir, but he is beaten and raped by the brutal Assef in an empty street to protect Amir's kite; the coward Amir witness the
assault but does not help the loyal Hassam. On the day after his birthday party, Amir hides his new watch in Hassam's bed to frame the boy as a thief and force his father to fire Ali, releasing his conscience from recalling his cowardice and betrayal. In
1979, the Russians ...
Availability
UK: Passed 12 uncut for:
2008 Paramount Home Entertainment R2 DVD at UK Amazon
The Lady Of Heaven is a 2021 UK action drama by Eli King Starring Ray Fearon, Denise Black and Christopher Sciueref
There are no BBFC issues with this release but the film was withdrawn from all
Cineworld cinemas and some Vue cinemas after muslim protests. The film was banned in Morocco.
Summary Notes
The heart-wrenching journey of Lady Fatima, the daughter of the religious
character Muhammad. Separated by 1400 years, an Iraqi child, in the midst of a war-torn country, learns the importance and power of patience. After losing his mother, the child finds himself in a new home, where a loving grandmother narrates the
historical story of The Lady and how her suffering as the first victim of terror spun out of control into the 21st century.
The film was withdrawn from all Cineworld cinemas and some Vue cinemas after muslim protests.
One issue is reported as being a CGI depiction of the religious character Mohammed, something forbidden
in islam. The BBC's Religion Editor, Aleem Maqbool, said that the criticism also centres on the the way the Shia Muslim film-maker and cleric, Yasser Al-Habib, has portrayed prominent revered figures in early Sunni Islam, implying that there are
comparisons between their actions with those of the Islamic State group in Iraq.
Moroccan film censors have banned the British film Lady of Heaven, after it was condemned by the country's religious council.
The Supreme Ulema Council said the movie was a
flagrant falsification of the established facts of Islam. The council accused the film of loathsome partiality and accused the filmmakers of seeking fame and sensationalism and hurting the feelings of Muslims and stirring up religious sensitivities.
There have been protests against the film in the UK. Egypt, Pakistan, Iran and Iraq have also denounced it.
Land of the Dead is a 2005 Canada / France / USA horror thriller by George A Romero. Starring John Leguizamo, Asia Argento and Simon Baker.
Cut in the US for an MPAA R rating. This cut version was passed 15 for 2004
cinema release. Home video releases are the uncut MPAA Unrated version which was also passed 15 uncut for UK home video. The film was banned in Ukraine
Ukraine: Banned
The film was banned in Ukraine reportedly over
sensitivities to marauding cannibal masses in search of food. It recalls the historical Holodomor genocide in 1932-33. The Soviet Government starved the Ukranian people causing thousands to resort to cannibalism to survive.
Summary
Notes
Now that zombies have taken over the world, the living have built a walled-in city to keep the dead out. But all's not well where it's most safe, as a revolution plans to overthrow the city leadership, and the
zombies are turning into more advanced creatures.
I have seen a film that was rated MA15+ in Australia (so yes, a 12 year old could watch it with a parent) but was actually banned here in NZ. If one of us is right, then the other must be wrong, and given the level of sexual violence
in this particular film I wouldn't say it is us that are wrong!
For comparison the BBFC passed the film 18 uncut for very strong language, sexual violence
Summary Notes
Three American tourist are crossing a desolated landscape of European Georgia. One of them steps on an armed landmine. But that seems to be a minor threat compared to the nightmarish happenings that the afternoon will bring on. A psychopath takes advantage of tourist's immobility and brutally abuses and assaults the woman he loves.
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life is a 2003 USA / Germany / Japan / UK / Hong Kong action fantasy adventure by Jan de Bont. Starring Angelina Jolie, Gerard Butler and Chris Barrie.
The BBFC reports that the 2019 submission was a Domestic Cut but there are no further details abut this variant. The film was banned in China.
China: Banned
From IMDb. The film was banned in
China because it damaged China's reputation, giving the impression of a country in chaos, with no government, and overrun by secret societies.
Summary Notes
Off the coast of the
volcanic island of Santorini, the intrepid archaeologist, Lara Croft, makes the unexpected discovery of a throbbing golden orb able to guide its holder to the mythical Pandora's Box. As the legendary artefact contains ancient mysteries of unfathomable
power, Lara needs to make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands, especially the unscrupulous former Nobel Prize winner and now a bio-weapons dealer, Jonathan Reiss. With the aid of the former agent, Terry Sheridan, the fearless adventurer travels the
world in pursuit of the precious item; however, can she retrieve it in time to save the day?
Availability
UK: Passed 12 uncut for moderate action violence and fantasy horror:
2018 Paramount Home Entertainment R0 4K Blu-ray at UK Amazon released on
11th June 2018
Director Amir Muhammad s lyrical documentary, The Last Communist , premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in 2006. But it was banned by Malaysia's Home Ministry for cinema and DVD.
A travel documentary
essay, interspersed with specially composed songs, about the early life and legacy of Chin Peng, exiled leader of the banned Communist Party of Malaya.
Amir's film was approved for screening by the censorship board, but weeks
before it was due for local release, conservative daily, Berita Harian published a series of editorials deriding the film as an anti-Malaysian celebration of Communism, it was subsequently re-examined and banned.
At the time, home
minister Radzi Sheikh Ahmad said his biggest issue with the film was that it didn't portray any violence, which could lead the viewer to think that Chin Peng was a peaceful figure, director Amir was quick to point out, in several interviews, that The
Last Communist may be the only movie ever to have been banned for not being violent enough.
Leatherface is a USA horror thriller by Alexandre Bustillo and
Julien Maury. Starring Lili Taylor, Stephen Dorff and Nicole Andrews.
Malaysia: Banned in 2017
Banned for strong
horror themes and gruesome violence
Summary Notes
Prequel about teenage Leatherface who escapes from a mental hospital with three other inmates, kidnaps a young nurse and takes her on a road trip
from hell. Along the way, they are pursued by an equally deranged lawman out for revenge.
Availability
UK: Passed 18 uncut for strong bloody violence, gore, strong sex for:
2018 Lionsgate Home Entertainment RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
2018 Lionsgate Home Entertainment R2 DVD at UK Amazon
2018
Lionsgate Home Entertainment VoD [UK only] at UK Amazon
v Lightyear
- 2022 US children's cartoon drama by Angus MacLane
Lightyear is a 2022 US children's cartoon drama by Angus MacLane
Starring Chris Evans, (voice), Keke Palmer, (voice), Dale Soules and (voice)
There are no censorship issues with this release in the west but the film has been
banned in many muslim countries.
In particular the film won't be in theaters in Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and Malaysia. The issue is the presence of openly LGBTQ characters in the film.
The film was also removed from the Disney+ streaming service. Disney were reluctant to make cuts to remove the gay material and decided that it was best to remove the film entirely from countries or regions where the material is controversial.
Summary Notes
The story of Buzz Lightyear and his adventures to infinity and beyond.
Lipstick
Under my Burkha is a 2016 India drama by Alankrita Shrivastava. Starring Shashank Arora, Plabita Borthakur and Sonal Jha.
India: Unbanned, May 2017
After the
successful appeal, the film was duly awarded an adults only 'A' rating after the cuts agreed at the appeal. The film was finally released on 21st July 2017.
It was reported that controversy did well for the film's takings making it a 'super-hit' that
recovered its production costs in just 4 days.
India: Successful appeal, April 2017
Upholding the appeal filed by the film's director Alankrita Srivastava and producer Prakash Jha, the Tribunal noted that there was no violation
of guidelines. Neither the visuals nor the dialogues in the film were contemptuous of racial, religious or other groups, as claimed by the CBFC. the tribunal also refuted other CBFC claims by noting: There was no targeting of women of
certain community or religion.
The Tribunal explained that the examining committee and revising committee of the CBFC misdirected themselves in denying certification on the ground that the story of the film was women oriented. Tribunal head
Justice Manmohan Sarin said:
There cannot be any embargo on a film being women oriented or containing sexual fantasies and expression of the inner desires of women.
The entire matter has to be
considered in the perspective of the theme of the film, the story, the characters and the overall impact of the film. As a matter of general approach if the aspect of sexual desires and their expression is sensitively handled without bringing coarseness,
vulgarity or obscenity, pandering prurient tendencies, then it is not to be disallowed.
India: Banned by the CBFC in March 2017
Lipstick Under My Burkha has been deemed too lady oriented in
content by the Indian film censors from the CBFC. The board banned the film complaining about continuous sexual scenes, abusive words, audio pornography and a sensitive touch about one particular section of society.
Amnesty International India have
now criticised the censors asking them not to indulge in moral policing . Commenting on the bans of Lipstick Under My Burkha and the gay film Ka Bodyscapes, Amnesty said:
The recent denial of theatrical
release to two films because they deal with women's sexuality and same-sex relations amounts to open censorship of artistic expression.
Summary Notes
Set in the crowded by-lanes of
small town India, Lipstick Under My Burkha chronicles the secret lives of four women in search of a little freedom. Though stifled and trapped in their worlds, these four women claim their desires through small acts of courage and stealthy rebellion.
Availability
The film has been wide screened on the film festival circuit and achieved a limited US theatrical release in September 2017.
v #LookAtMe
- 2022 Singapore gay themed drama by Ken Kwek
#LookAtMe is a 2022 Singapore gay themed drama by Ken Kwek Starring Yao, Yao and Pam Oei
Banned in Singapore.
Summary Notes
A Youtuber posts an irreverent video trolling a megachurch pastor, in defence of his gay twin brother. He is vilified by society, tried
in court, and pitted against a culture that threatens to destroy his family.
Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) has retained
banned film #LookAtMe in its official selection, despite the fact it cannot be screened in the country.
Directed by Singapore filmmaker Ken Kwek, the film was handed a local exhibition ban last week on the grounds that it supposedly
denigrates a religious community and has the potential to cause enmity and social division in Singapore's multi-racial and multi-cultural society, according to a joint statement by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), Ministry of Home Affairs
(MHA) and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY).
Produced by Eko Pictures, the feature received its world premiere at the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) in July where it proved one of the buzz titles of the event and received a
special mention for the performance of Malaysian-born, US-based actor Yao (aka Thomas Pang) who plays the dual role of twin brothers.
The film's production team had previously planned to submit an appeal in a bid to overturn the ban. But after
learning more about the IMDA appeals process, which includes a $355 (S$500) fee, they chose not to challenge the decision.
The film's festival run continues and it is scheduled to screen at upcoming festivals in the US, Australia and Thailand.
Lost in Beijing is a 2007 China drama by Yu Li. Starring Bingbing Fan, Dawei Tong and Tony Ka Fai Leung. China: Banned in 2008
Authorities
in China have banned a film already on release set in a Beijing massage parlour that had been heavily cut for its sexual content.
Lost In Beijing (Ping Guo) was released in Chinese cinemas on 30 November after scenes showing dirty streets, prostitutes
and gambling were removed from the movie. According to the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, however, the film still violated regulations.
Its producers and the director have been banned from making films in China for two years.
According to the Chinese authorities, the film broke regulations by using unhealthy and inappropriate promotional materials in its marketing.
Summary Notes
Lin Dong and Wang Mei are a childless couple in Beijing, wealthy, approaching middle age. Lin owns a foot-massage parlor. One afternoon he rapes one of his workers,
Liu Pingguo, who has nearly passed out from drinking alcohol with a friend. Part of the assault is witnessed by Liu's husband, An Kun, a window washer. He's angry with the boss and with his wife, and he seeks compensation. Lin's wife counsels him and
joins in revenge. Then, Liu realizes she's pregnant and a set of emotional calculations ensues: Lin wants to buy the child, Wang agrees but has conditions, An Kun goes back and forth and barely contains his anger; Liu withdraws. The baby comes. Can
anything be sorted out?
Love is a 2015 France / Belgium drama by Gaspar Noé. Starring Gaspar Noé,
Aomi Muyock and Klara Kristin.
Russia: Banned in September 2015
Love has now been banned in Russia by state censors from Russia's culture ministry. A statement from the department chiefs reads:
The
decision is based on the fact that the film contains numerous pornographic scenes.
Reports suggest the censors asked for a thorough edit, but were not satisfied with the softer version of the movie, even though it had less
sexual content than the one screened at Cannes.
France: Controversy
Originally 16 rated in France but moralist campaigners objected and a court raised the rating to 18, a classification previously reserved for
pornography.
Japan: Censored
Not banned but all the explicit sex has been blurred by Japanese censors.
Promotional Material
From the controversial diretor of
Irreversible and Enter the Void comes a sexual melodrama about a boy and his two girls. It's a love story, which celebrates sex in a joyous way.
Availability
UK: 2D and 3D versions passed 18 uncut for
strong real sex, very strong language for:
2015 cinema release
2015 Curzon / Artificial Eye (RB) Blu-ray
at UK Amazon
Love, Simon is a 2018 USA gay drama by Greg Berlanti. Starring Katherine Langford, Nick Robinson and Jennifer Garner.
India : Banned in June 2018
The film was pulled at the last minute before cinema release.
CBFC chairperson Prasoon Joshi has
completely denied that the CBFC has banned on Love, Simon. He said that an adults-only CBFC 'A' certificate has been given to Love, Simon four months ago, on February 6, 2018 after 2 cuts described as minor.
Another source from the CBFC says, This is
one more attempt to use the censor board to gain publicity for a film.
However it is has not been made clear an alternative reason for the film being pulled from cinema s at the last moment.
The film contains no explicit content although there is a
kiss between the two lads.
Malaysia: Banned in 2018
Malaysia's Film Censorship Board (LPF) placed the movie in its not approved list. Mohd Zamberi Abdul Aziz, chairman of the Malaysian Film Censorship Board (LPF), said
the film was bannd because it contained LGBT elements.
Promotional Material
From the producers of The Fault in Our Stars comes the relatable and heartfelt coming-of-age film LOVE, SIMON. Everyone
deserves a great love story, but for 17-year-old Simon, it's a bit complicated. The gay teenager hasn't come out yet, and doesn't know the identity of the anonymous classmate he's fallen for online. Resolving both issues will be a hilarious, scary,
life-changing adventure.
Availability
UK: Passed 12 uncut for moderate sex references, infrequent strong language for:
2018 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment R2 DVD at UK Amazon
2018 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment VoD [UK only]
at UK Amazon
v Maalik
- 2016 Pakistan action thriller by Ashir Azeem.
Maalik is a 2016 Pakistan action thriller by Ashir Azeem. Starring Ashir Azeem, Farhan Ally Agha and Sajid Hassan.
Pakistan: Unbanned in September 2016
The Sindh High Court has declared the federal government's controversial ban on film Maalik illegal and cleared it to be screened again.
Ashir Azeem, the film's
director, had challenged the ban in court saying the ban on Maalik had been imposed by the government without having the authority to do. The authority to establish censor boards was a prerogative of provincial governments following the 18th amendment,
he had argued.
And Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah duly cleared the film for screening across the country while ruling the ban illegal.
And in higher court, J ustice Qazi of the Supreme Court had particularly strong words for chief censor
Mubashir Hassan. Qazi said:
You approved the screening of the film and the other day you banned it as your mood changed on a single phone call. Isn't this effectively corruption? What do you people want? Do you want to
devastate the Pakistani film industry?
Pakistan: Banned in April 2016
The film was removed from cinema screens by government authorities a few weeks after its initial premiere on April 8, 2016. This is
in spite of it being cleared by all three censor boards.
The film was flagged by the Sindh government after they accused one of the characters portraying a corrupt former Chief Minister as being too similar to the present Chief Minister of Sindh
province. A ministry official told local newspapers:
The information ministry reserves the right to ban any film at any time. Maalik has been banned because it shows a former chief minister as a man of corruption and
opulence.
Following numerous appeals from Sindh, the film was eventually banned by the Federal Government across the rest of Pakistan.
The Pakistani government later attempted to ban the export of the film on August 9, 2016,
barring it from being shown overseas. However, despite these attempts, the film was set for release in the UK and internationally on August 26, 2016.
Director Ashir Azeem commented on the failed attempt to ban the export of the film:
Authorities in Pakistan are very concerned with how they are perceived, especially abroad. Whereas this might be considered an overreaction in some countries, it has become the go-to method for the authorities to ban content they deem
offensive or controversial.
Summary Notes
An Afghan family that escapes from the ravages of the Soviet war in Afghanistan and settles in Karachi. A SSG officer who undergoes a
personal tragedy and starts a private security company (Black Ops Pvt. Ltd) in Karachi. His SSG colleagues keep joining the company on their retirements. An idealist school master who suffers greatly under a cruel Feudal lord and settles in Karachi and
finally the Feudal Lord who becomes the Chief Minister of Sindh and unleashes a reign of terror on all that cross his path. Maalik is a story of love, loyalty, honor, family value, idealism, courage and dignity against all odds, and across all sections
of society from the poor and the struggling to the highest levels of wealth and power.
Availability
UK: Passed 15 uncut for strong violence, sexual threat for:
2016 cinema release
v Macabre
- 2009 Indonesia horror by Kimo Stamboel and Timo Tjahjanto (The Mo Brothers).
Macabre is a 2009 Indonesia horror by Kimo Stamboel and Timo Tjahjanto (The Mo Brothers). With Ario Bayu, Shareefa Daanish and Julie Estelle. Malaysia: Banned
Said to be the first Indonesian film banned in Malaysia on grounds of violence
Indonesia: Cut by 30s
Singapore: Cut by 30s
Summary Review: Grim and Messy
Two newly weds Adjie and Astrid, along with 3 of their best friends decided to have an interstate road trip as a
last attempt to reconcile Adjie with his estranged little sister Ladya.
The night turns into a bloody-hell for the 6 friends, who find themselves trapped and hunted down by Dara and her cult-like family of her three deadly
proteges, born and raised to systematically eliminate unsuspecting passers-by for one nefarious reason...
One of the highlights of the Cannes 2010 festival, Macabre dishes up the deaths in very assured and bloodily violent form.
The film delivers the goods in messy style. Breaking with tradition, those whom you think would or deserve to survive, do not. There is also no humour to alleviate the situation. Just grim well crafted nastiness.
Availability
UK: Passed 18 uncut for very strong bloody violence and gore for:
Made in China is a 2009 India / USA action comedy by Nikkhil Advani (as Nikhil Advani). Starring Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone and Chia-Hui Liu.
From IMDb. The shot of Hojo urinating on the face of Sidhu has been removed from the
international version. The film was banned in Nepal.
BBFC category cuts were required for a 12A rated cinema release in 2019.
Nepal: Banned in February 2009
Nepal's Ministry of Information and
Communication banned the film as mentioned that Lord Buddha was born in India. Buddha was born at the time in the independent republic of Lumbini. This is now part of Nepal.
Summary Notes
Based in Delhi's Chandni Chowk, orphaned Sidhu is adopted by the owner of Bajrang Bali Parathas, known simply as Dada. Years later Sidhu has grown up and is an expert at slicing vegetables. When his Chinese friend and Philosopher,
Chopstick, cons him into believing that he is the reincarnation of Liu Sheung, a slain Chinese revolutionary, Sidhu takes it upon himself to travel to the Zhange district where he will be forced to confront a deadly female assassin by the name of Suzy;
be befriended by a semi-crazed beggar; and must face humiliation and possible death at the hands of the virtually indestructible Hojo.
Madras Cafe is a 2013 Indian action drama by Shoojit Sircar. With John Abraham, Nargis Fakhri and Rashi Khanna.
India: Banned by cinemas in Tamil Nadu
The movie is proving controversial in India as it is based on the Sri Lankan civil war and speculates about the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. Tamil activist groups
are calling for the film to be banned. The film was passed by the Indian censors and escaped court bans but was banned by cinema exhibitors in the state of Tamil nadu.
UK: Banned by cinemas
Now the film has been banned
by British cinemas in August 2013. UK cinema chains, Cineworld, Odeon and Vue, have banned the film saying in a statement:
Our policy is to show a wide range of films for different audiences ...HOWEVER... following customer feedback and working with the film distributors, we have decided to not show Madras Cafe. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Press reports suggested that some Tamils had complained that the film was anti-Tamil. The Facebook page of the Tamil Youth Organisation UK has been full of agitation against the film.
Magic Mike XXL is a 2015 USA comedy music drama by Gregory
Jacobs. Starring Amber Heard, Channing Tatum and Elizabeth Banks.
India: Banned in 2015
The Indian film censors of the CBFC banned the film saying that male-stripping was against Indian culture. After the Examining Committee rejected it, the studio took it to
the Revising Committee, who okayed the film after six cuts. However, a later vote against went against the film and the ban stayed in place.
Summary Notes
The continuing story of male stripper, Magic
Mike.
Maken-Ki! Two is a Japan anime TV series Starring Morgan Garrett, Jamie Marchi and Tia Lynn Ballard. New Zealand: Banned in May 2016
New Zealand
has previously taken a hard line on the mix youth and sexuality in this genre so presumably the same for this title.
Summary Notes
Takeru Ohyama is a typical perverted teenage boy. His new school
doesn't require entrance exams, and it just turned co-ed! Unfortunately, his dreams of a happy high school life are dashed when he finds out the school is much more than it seems. All of the students wield a special item - a Maken - to unleash their
magical abilities in duels! Can Takeru find a Maken that works for him? Even while trying to fit in at a new school and dealing with all kinds of girl problems?
Availability
US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:
2016 Funimation RA Blu-ray/R1 DVD Combo at US Amazon
v Maladolescenza
- 1977 Italy / West Germany romance by Pier Giuseppe Murgia.
Maladolescenza is a 1977 Italy / West Germany romance by Pier
Giuseppe Murgia. Starring Lara Wendel and Eva Ionesco and Martin Loeb.
The film was released uncut in German cinemas in 1977 but later officially banned as child porn in by courts in Germany (2006) and Netherlands (2010) due to child
nudity.
Summary Notes
A teen boy grows from playing and fighting with his German-shepherd dog, to playing kids and adult games with two equally young girls, in a dream-like forest
which eventually turns eerie, and somber.
v Man of Steel
- 2013 USA/Canada/UK action Sci-Fi fantasy by Zack Snyder.
Man of Steel is a 2013 USA/Canada/UK action Sci-Fi fantasy by
Zack Snyder. With Henry Cavill, Amy Adams and Michael Shannon.
Pakistan: Banned
Banned by the film censor with no explanation offered beyond that the film violated the Motion Pictures Ordinance of 1979.
Summary Notes
A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from
annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.
v Maniac
- France/USA horror thriller by Franck Khalfoun.
Graphic violence, sex scenes and content that may disturb.
The censor added a note of
explanation for the ban:
While the feature does not actively promote or support this material, the tacit invitation to enjoy cruel and violent behavior through its first-person portrayal and packaging as entertainment is
likely to lead to an erosion of empathy for some viewers,
Promotional Material
Elijah Wood stars in this remake of director William Lustig's 1980 horror classic of the same name. To
say that Frank (Wood) is a troubled young man would be an understatement - as the ever-growing number of young women he has murdered since the death of his mother (America Olivo), with whom he enjoyed an unhealthily close relationship, demonstrates only
too well. Frank runs a mannequin store and likes to apply the scalps of his victims to the models in his spare time. However, when beautiful young artist Anna (Nora Arnezeder) wanders into the store and talks about making use of its resources for an
exhibition she is planning, she presents Frank with a troubling quandary. Anna appears to offer the possibility of a human relationship that will fill the void created by his mother's death, but she also excites his desire to kill and possess. Will Frank
be able to overcome his homicidal urges?
Availability
UK: Passed 18 uncut for strong bloody violence for:
Manmarziyaan is a 2018 India romance by Anurag Kashyap.
Starring Abhishek Bachchan, Vicky Kaushal and Tapsee Pannu.
Pakistan: Banned in September 2018
Manmarziyan, has not been cleared by the Central Board of Film Censors for release in Pakistan.
According to CBFC Chairman Danyal Gilani, all board members found the content inappropriate and agreed that the film violated its censorship code. However, the film was given an adults only 'A' Certificate by the Censor Boards of Sindh and Punjab.
India: Cut in September 2018
A court in the city of Jammu ordered 4 cuts in the film on grounds of 'hurting religious sentiment'. However the producers had already decided to cut 3 scenes on the same grounds for
national release.
The producers submitted the version to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The three deleted scenes are:
a 29-second smoking sequence of Abhishek,
a minute long scene featuring Taapsee Pannu and Abhishek entering a gurudwara with the brode having mind flashes about a boyfriend, and
an 11-second scene where Taapsee is shown smoking.
Presumably this is related to a Sikh prohibition of smoking. Film makers can't possibly depict a religious person not quite living up to the religion's rules.
India: Hurt religious sentiments in September 2018
The
Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DGMC) is staging a protest on Sunday against this week's movie release, Manmarziyaan (Husband Material) , demanding a nationwide ban on the film. The committee claims that the filml has a few anti-Sikh
scenes which have the potential to hurt the sentiments of the community. DSGMC president Manjeet Singh GK said:
I believe that this movie should not be screened till makers remove the objectionable scenes from the movie.
Since ages we have been demanding that the censor board should recruit a representative of the Sikh community in their team but they haven't. We will not tolerate this at any cost and will strongly protest against this movie.
Summary Notes
The film is a love story set in Punjab where Abhishek Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, and Vicky Kaushal will be seen in prominent roles.
Mastizaade is a 2015 India film by Milap Zaveri. Starring
Sunny Leone, Zachary Coffin and Tusshar Kapoor.
India: Banned June 2015:
After being banned by the Examining Committee and the Revising Committee, the new Sunny Leone starrer Mastizaade directed by Milap Zaveri has now been refused
certification by the appeals Tribunal. The Appeals Tribunal wrote:
There is no redeeming feature of any sort in the film. The film is only concerned with the exploration of the different parts of the human anatomy, both
male and female, and is such as to deprave the minds of the audience. We are thus constrained to hold that. Freedom of expression cannot and should not be interpreted as a license for the cine-magnates to make huge sums of money by pandering to shoddy
and vulgar tastes.
India: Unbanned January 2016
After the initial ban, the producer had volunteered 349 cuts and the CBFC suggested 32 more and it was then cleared with A certificate after a
total of 381 cuts.
Availability
UK: Passed 15 uncut for frequent crude sex references, innuendo for:
2016 cinema release
v Mathilde
- 2017 Russia historical biography by Aleksey Uchitel.
Mathilde is a 2017 Russia historical biography by Aleksey Uchitel. Starring Michalina Olszanska, Lars Eidinger and Luise Wolfram. Ukraine: Banned in January 2018
Ukrainian
authorities have banned the release of the Russian film Matilda featuring the story of romance between Crown Prince Nicholas [would-be Czar Nicholas II] and the young etoile of the Imperial Ballet, Mathilde Kschessinska.
Dmitry Kapranov, a censor from
the State Agency for Cinematography [Goskino], said on Wednesday the decision was taken because of participation in the film of a musician whom the Ukrainian authorities had put on the blacklist of unwanted foreigners. He said:
Now we've denied permission for a release of the film 'Matilda' on the basis of formal criteria. Our spectators may say, of course, well he is just a musician and you ban the film but I can ask them in response, would you go to the
marketplace and buy the watermelons with nitrates there?
Such watermelons do contain some vitamins but they also contain the nitrates, Kapranov said. And these people on the blacklist are the very same nitrates and their produce
is therefore poisoned.
Russia: Calls for a ban denied
Religious campaigners were offended that the almost god like reputation of Nicholas II was being sullied by the film. They initiated a sometimes
violent campaign to get the film banned, but to no avail.
Summary Notes
In the twilight of Imperial Russia, prima ballerina Matilda Kshesinskaya becomes the mistress of three Grand Dukes.
Availability
UK: Passed 15 uncut for brief strong sex for:
2018 cinema release
v The
Matrix Reloaded - 2003 USA / Australia action Sci-Fi film by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski (as The Wachowski Brothers).
The Matrix Reloaded is a 2003 USA / Australia action Sci-Fi
film by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski (as The Wachowski Brothers). Starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss.
Egypt: Banned in 2003
The film was banned
in Egypt for threatening to offend traditional religious views on the creation of humankind.
Summary Notes
Six months after the events depicted in The Matrix, Neo has proved to be a good omen for the
free humans, as more and more humans are being freed from the matrix and brought to Zion, the one and only stronghold of the Resistance. Neo himself has discovered his superpowers including super speed, ability to see the codes of the things inside the
matrix, and a certain degree of precognition. But...
Mawlana is a 2016 Egypt mystery drama by Magdy Ahmed Aly. Starring Amr Saad, Dorra Zarrouk and Ahmed Magdy. Kuwait: Banned n March 2017
Banned for
censorship reasons
UAE: Banned n March 2017
Banned for censorship reasons
Lebanon: Banned n March 2017
Upon its release in Egypt, the film sparked controversy but was given a release
permit and went on to become a box office hit. In Lebanon, however, the general security censorship board banned the film after it caused a stir among religious authorities in the country. They refused to permit its screening at Ayam Beirut Al
Cinema'iya.
For general release Beirut's censorship authority required that 12 minutes be removed from the film before it can be screened, arguing that the scenes in question could incite sectarian strife and provoke conflict between different
religions. The distributors decided that the cuts made the film unviable and shelved the release.
Summary Notes
A seemingly traditional journey of a young sheikh in a governmental mosque who moves
from leading prayers to becoming a TV celebrity issuing "fatwas" that are accepted by millions who have become fans of his as a result of his courage and his attempts to deviate from the usual religious rhetoric in a society heavily influenced
by fundamentalism. The TV spotlight only shows his eloquent yet sarcastic answers he gives to the callers in a preset scenario, while in the dark and cloudy space around him, bloody struggles for power are raging, struggles he had always tried to avoid.
Heidi, the star of the "Meet The Feebles Variety Hour" discovers her lover Bletch, The
Walrus, is cheating on her, and with all the world waiting for the show the assorted co-stars must contend with their own problems. These include drug addiction, extortion, robbery, disease, Drug dealing, and even murder. While this is happening the love
between two of the stars is threatened by the devious Trevor the Rat, who wishes to exploit the young starlet for use in his porno movie business.
Megan is Missing is a 2011 USA horror thriller by Michael
Goi. Starring Amber Perkins, Rachel Quinn and Dean Waite.
Banned in New Zealand.
New Zealand: Banned
New Zealand's Office of Film & Literature Classification said:
The DVD is classified as objectionable. The
feature depicts sexual violence and sexual conduct involving young people to such an extent and degree, and in such a manner, that the availability of the publication is likely to be injurious to the public good.
Although an
attempt has been made to present the material in the context of a cautionary tale, and there is additional interview footage that puts forward the notion that the feature could raise awareness of the vulnerability of teenage girls to sexual predators,
the feature's material is strongly prurient and exploitative. The film relishes the spectacle of one girl's ordeal including a 3-minute real-time rape scene.
Perhaps a few clues about the reason for the ban in the
promotional material:
On January 14th, 2007, 14-year-old Megan Stewart disappeared. Three weeks later, her 13-year-old best friend Amy Herman also vanished. Assembled from video chats, webcam footage, home videos and news
reports, this is what happened in the days immediately before -- and after -- Megan went missing.
From writer/director Michael Goi comes this unblinking depiction of internet predators and child abduction as seen through the eyes
of two North Hollywood teens. Their language is blunt. Their behavior is shocking. And their fate is absolutely horrific. Amber Perkins, Rachel Quinn and Dean Waite star in this disturbing and often explicit drama about a real-life world of risks and
danger that every teen must know...and no parent can afford to miss.
Summary Notes
Megan Stewart, 14, and her best friend Amy Herman, 13, though opposites in personality, are best
friends. Megan carries the front of being the most popular girl in school, but this masks a lifestyle of hard partying, drugs, alcohol and indiscriminate sex. Amy, unpopular and socially awkward, clings to her relationship with Megan as a lifeline to
social acceptance. Together, these two young girls forge a deep friendship based on their mutual needs. The two girls regularly communicate by web chat cameras or cell phone, and even meet boys online. As Megan seeks friends who are different from her
usual posse of hanger-ons, she is introduced by a friend online to a 17 year-old boy named Josh in a chat room. Megan and Josh bond quickly, leaving Amy feeling a bit left out. One day, Megan goes to meet Josh in person, and she is never seen again. Amy
launches into a concentrated effort to find her friend. As the media swirls around the story of Megan's disappearance, Amy discovers the ...
Memories of My Body is a 2018 Indonesia drama by Garin Nugroho. Starring Muhammad Khan, Raditya Evandra and Rianto. Indonesia: Regionally banned
The film
encountered problems in Indonesia following its release on April 18. It had been given a 17+ rating by the country's censorship board (LSF). But in less than a week, the film was banned by local officials in regions including Depok and Palembang. Others
called on the powerful assembly of Muslim elders known as the Indonesian Ulema Council to move against the film. Arovah Windiani, a spokeswoman for the council said that, from a moral perspective, the film should not be out there.
A backlash against
the film was further fanned on social media. An online petition calling for Memories of My Body to be banned gained 160,000 signatures.
Summary Notes
In Center Java Juno, a pre-teen
abandoned by his father, joins a Lengger dance centre where men assume feminine appearances but the political and social upheaval in Indonesia forces him on the road, meeting remarkable people on his journey.
v The Mexican - 2001 USA crime
adventure comedy romance by Gore Verbinski.
The Mexican is a 2001 USA crime adventure comedy romance by Gore
Verbinski. With Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, James Gandolfini.
India:
Banned by the CBFC in 2001
Summary Review: Cursed Gun
A man tries to transport an ancient gun called The Mexican, believed to carry a curse, back across the border, while his girlfriend pressures him to give up his criminal ways.
A crazy, fun, off-the-wall, slightly indulgent spaghetti western styled would be Tarantino farce. It's great and it's lame compared to what it could have been.
Milk is a 2008 USA biography by Gus Van Sant. Starring Sean Penn, Josh
Brolin and Emile Hirsch.
Samoa: Banned in March 2009
The Samoan film censors took umbrage at the gay rights activism as well as the sex scenes, saying that some
of the scenes are very inappropriate in regard to some of the sex in the film itself, it's very contrary to the way of life here in Samoa. One censor called it:
Inappropriate and contradictory to Christian beliefs and
Samoan culture. This view on gender norms feels strange for Samoa.
Summary Notes
Using flashbacks from a statement recorded late in life and archival footage for
atmosphere, this film traces Harvey Milk's career from his 40th birthday to his death. He leaves the closet and New York, opens a camera shop that becomes the salon for San Francisco's growing gay community, and organizes gays' purchasing power to build
political alliances. He runs for office with lover Scott Smith as his campaign manager. Victory finally comes on the same day Dan White wins in the city's conservative district. The rest of the film sketches Milk's relationship with White and the 1978
fight against a statewide initiative to bar gays and their supporters from public school jobs.
Availability
UK: Passed 15 uncut for strong language and sex references:
Monster Hunter is a 2020 China / Germany / Japan / USA action
fantasy adventure by Paul WS Anderson. Starring Milla Jovovich and Tony Jaa and TI.
The film didn't trouble international film censors but a joke didn't
go down well in China where the film was withdrawn from cinemas a week after release.
China: Withdrawn from cinemas in December 2020
Not long after its theatrical release in China, the film was pulled from cinemas
and subsequently banned. A jokey banter between two soldiers was deemed insulting:
Soldier 1: What? Soldier 2: Look at my knees! Soldier 1: What kind of knees are they? Soldier 2: Chi knees!
Summary Notes
When Lt. Artemis and her loyal soldiers are transported to a new world, they engage in a desperate battle for survival against enormous enemies with
incredible powers. Feature film based on the video game by Capcom.
v Morgue Street
- 2012 Italy short horror thriller by Alberto Viavattene.
Morgue Street is a 2012 Italy short horror thriller by Alberto
Viavattene. With Mario Cellini, Désirée Giorgetti, Roberto Nali.
Australia: Banned
Banned from a film festival showing in April 2013
Morgue Street was slated for screening at the A Night Of Horror Film Festival in Sidney, but the Australian Classification Board banned it with a 'Refused Classification' rating, two days before the screening, claiming
its material that is considered to offend against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults.
Morgue Street takes the cake when it comes to being one of the most violent and disturbing movies I have seen in years. Morgue Street is an edgy, polished and extremely disturbing horror short that crosses just about
every line you can imagine in its 11 minute running time.
Morgue Street is based upon the story The Murders in The Rue Morgue by Edgar Allan Poe. It tells the story of two prostitutes, mother and daughter, struggling
against a mysterious creature that breaks into their home.
Brian Yuzna called it An original artistic horror while cult author Jack Ketchum blessed it as impressive and perverse .
Morituris is a 2011 Italy horror by Raffaele Picchio. With
Valentina D'Andrea, Andrea De Bruyn and Désirée Giorgetti.
Italy: Banned
The film makers said in a press release that the Italian Culture Ministery (il Ministero dei Beni Culturali), had decided to ban Morituris from Italian cinemas. The film censorship commission claimed that the film was a gratuitous essay of
perversion and sadism. The commission unanimously reached the decision to ban the film on grounds of:
offence to good morals, intending acts of violence and perversion against women, motivated by enjoying of overcoming and
thrill of self strength, empowered by consume of alcohol and drugs. The avengers find revenge against both boys, guilty of violence, and girls, victims of violence.
Promotional Material
Two lovely Romanian girls take a trip with three Italian men to a rumored midnight rave in the middle of a dark forest. As the gang proceeds on foot to their final destination, a mysterious
graveyard is discovered, a shockingly vile plot twist is revealed and bloodthirsty undead Roman gladiators rise from the dead to torture and mutilate their victims! For the two women, an already terrifying night is about to get much, much worse, as the
zombified warriors hunt down the group to tear their heads off! Will anyone survive the night?
An interesting mix of old school 1980s Italian horror, with a touch of the brutality of Wes Craven's THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT, MORITURIS is an
unflinching, strong, cruel and extremely violent film featuring gruesome effects from Italian SPFX maestro, Sergio Stivaletti (DEMONS, DEMONS 2, DELLAMORTE DELLAMORE, Dario Argento's OPERA).
Availability
US:
Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:
2015 Synapse Films (RA) Blu-ray
2015 Synapse Films R1 DVD
v Movie 43
- 2013 USA comedy by Elizabeth Banks, Steven Brill...
Movie 43 is a 2013 USA comedy by Elizabeth Banks, Steven Brill...
With Emma Stone, Stephen Merchant and Richard Gere.
Kenya : Banned
Banned by the film censor citing 'extreme elements of sex and nudity
The Kenya Film Classification Board corporate communication officer Eva Mbuni explained:
We are applying the law to protect children and youth. They have young, gullible minds that need to make informed choices. Content
which promotes sex, nudity, use of alcohol and drugs needs to be discouraged.
Summary Notes: The most banned movie in the world
A series of interconnected short films follows three kids as they
search the depths of the Internet to find the most banned movie in the world.
Availability
UK: The UK Version is 15 rated without BBFC cuts for frequent strong sex references and very strong language for:
2013 Technicolor/Momentum [UK + US Version] RB Blu-ray at UK
Amazon
2013 Technicolor/Momentum [UK Version] R2 DVD at
UK Amazon
Much Loved is a 2015 Morocco drama by Nabil Ayouch.
Starring Loubna Abidar, Danny Boushebel and Abdellah Didane.
Banned in Morocco in 2o15.
Morocco: Banned in May 2015
The government announced that it would not be screened, claiming it to be a
grave outrage against moral values and Moroccan womanhood , and a flagrant attack on the kingdom's image .
The director and the lead actress have now been summonsed to court on charges of supposed pornography, indecency and inciting
minors to debauchery.
Availability
France: Released in cinemas in summer 2015
Summary Notes
A group of women in Morocco make a living as prostitutes
in a culture that is very unforgiving toward women in that profession.
My Mother's Daughter
is a 2022 UK documentary short film by Mariam Khan, Ahmen Khawaja
Banned by the Pakistan film censor in 2023.
Summary Notes
Mehak was 13 when she was abducted
by a man known to her family. He repeatedly raped her and forced her to convert to Islam. She managed to escape but not before making a shocking discovery that changed her life forever.
Pakistan: Banned in March 2023
Pakistan's Central Board of Film Censors has banned the short documentary My Mother's Daughter which was due to screen at the Women International Film Festival. Director Mariam Khan shared the letter sent by the censor board which had based
its reasons for censoring the film by calling it propaganda as well as for highlighting wrong values which are against the Pakistani culture and society.
