The BBFC has classified as ‘18’ uncut a work which is a
compilation of seven short films looking at the nature of sexual
imagery and pornography. Destricted brings together the work of
seven directors including Gaspar Noe, Sam Taylor-Wood and Larry
Clark. Because Destricted is concerned with the nature of sexual
imagery and pornography it contains explicit sequences which would
normally be restricted to the ‘R18’ category.
However, unlike ‘R18’ works the intent behind Destricted is
not to arouse the viewer sexually and its look and the feel is very
different from pornographic works.
The BBFC Guidelines for ‘18’ rated works state that the
more explicit images of sexual activity will not be allowed unless they
can be exceptionally justified by context and the work is not a sex
work whose primary purpose is sexual arousal. If the sexual
imagery is exceptionally justified by context the Board does not place
restrictions on the length of any such sequences.
The work was considered by the President, Sir Quentin Thomas and the
two Vice Presidents, Janet Lewis-Jones and Lord Taylor of
Warwick. Sir Quentin said:
"This is a difficult work in classification terms and in other ways.
This degree of sexually explicit material would normally be found, in
accordance with our published Guidelines, only in a sex work –
that is, one aimed at sexual stimulation – which this is
not. But, as the Guidelines also recognise, there may be
exceptions justified by context. This is one of them. In purpose and
effect, this work is plainly a serious consideration of sex and
pornography as aspects of the human experience. We think there are no
grounds in this case for depriving adults of the ability to decide
themselves whether they want to see it.”
The film by Gaspar Noé contains strobe effects which could
affect people suffering with epilepsy so the Board has asked the
distributor to include a warning at the beginning of the whole work and
not just before the particular film. The Board also sought proof
of age of one of the actresses in this film.
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