http://www.refused-classification.com/censorship/films/serbian-film-2010.html
An aging porn star agrees to participate in an "art film" in order to make a clean break from the business, only to discover that he has been drafted into making a pedophilia and necrophilia themed snuff film.
Just from the blurb of the film you should be able to decide whether you would be interested in the film or not. But as well as the blurb you can also watch the trailer to decide for yourself whether you want to watch it. However that is not how our country works apparently.
The 'uncut' version was not allowed classification in Australia. The makers than did a 'cut' version which was denied classification, the second attempt was then accepted and classed R 18+. All up they cut a total of 3 minutes out of the film to achieve classification in Australia.
The film was then played at MUFF (Melbourne Underground Film Festival). A release from MUFF before the viewing:
The 'uncut' version was not allowed classification in Australia. The makers than did a 'cut' version which was denied classification, the second attempt was then accepted and classed R 18+. All up they cut a total of 3 minutes out of the film to achieve classification in Australia.
The film was then played at MUFF (Melbourne Underground Film Festival). A release from MUFF before the viewing:
Memo × Friday 19 August × 8pm
Life is fucking fucked. That is the premise for A Serbian Film, which it then proceeds to glibly illustrate in half a dozen different ways, many of them literally, as it looks all the while like some sort of so-called torture porn flick. But unlike the Hostel, Captivity and Great American Snuff Film of your choice, A Serbian Film really knows how to ram itself into your psyche and isn’t afraid to force entry into every available orifice in order to do so. To put it bluntly, A Serbian Film is slick and fully sick and you can take that as both a warning and the greatest challenge to see something through to the end credits.
Plot wise A Serbian Film takes on the story of Milos, a porn stud supreme who thought he had retired and was adjusting awkwardly to life at home with the wife and kid when he gets pulled back into the jizz biz with an offer he couldn’t refuse. Or rather he gets taken on by Vukmir a child psychologist and George Michael look-a-like turned custom filmmaker who’s cry of, “Love, art, blood”, leads to the creation of what he calls, “Newborn Porn”.
Since barrelling out of the Balkans last year A Serbian Film has justifiably made a name for itself as a dangerous film. Of course it immediately lends itself to political readings especially with regards to why it exists but the truth is that no matter what your political perspective or film going fetish nothing has prepared you for the aftermath of watching it that could lead to instant apathy towards all films. While that might be a strange way to kick off a filmfest, even MUFF 12, with A Serbian Film there is simply no way you can avoid its steel-capped kick in the head.
** MUFF WARNING: The sickest film we have ever played. You have been warned! **
The film has now been reviewed by the classification board (a total of THREE people, none of the most populated states) and been deemed 'unclassified' which means it is now banned in Australia and cannot be sold or shown here.
In the Review Board’s opinion, A Serbian Film could not be accommodated within the R 18+ classification as the level of depictions of sexual violence, themes of incest and depictions of child sexual abuse in the film has an impact which is very high and not justified by context.
Films classified RC cannot be sold, hired, or advertised in Australia.
The Review Board convened on Monday 19 September 2011 in response to an application from the Minister for Justice, the Hon Brendan O’Connor, to review the decision made by the Classification Board on 5 April 2011 to classify A Serbian Film R 18+ (Restricted) with the consumer advice, ‘high impact sexual violence, sex scenes and violence’.
In reviewing the classification, the Review Board worked within the framework of the National Classification Scheme, applying the provisions of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995, the National Classification Code and the Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Computer Games. This is the same framework used by the Classification Board.
I do not understand this whatsoever. As a consenting adult should I not be able to decide for myself what I do and do not want to watch? I do understand that this film pushes many boundries alot of people just do not want to go anywhere near, but that is them, not me. Are we a country that has to police things for people now just incase someone doesn't like something? As long as no one was hurt in the making of the film (which there wasn't) and it was a proper, 'dinky-di' film (which it was), then why the 'F' can we not view it in Australia?
Even if you think the film is disgusting, even if you would never watch it yourself, what makes you think that it right to ban other people from watching it? We live in a free country.
Well I thought so anyway.
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