During the early and mid-20th century, the original Film Censors Office heavily cut films and videos for rental release, or placed high age ratings on them. Figures released by the Film Censors Office state that 2,500 films received theatrical performance bans, and over 11,000 films were cut, between the 1920s and 1980s.[3] Films previously banned in Ireland have included Scarface (1932), A Clockwork Orange (1971), and Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979).
Since the release of Michael Collins in 1996, which was initially rated PG despite its depictions of strong violence, the censor's office has generally applied age ratings and has not requested cuts to films. Former head censor Sheamus Smith (who held the position between 1986 and 2002) banned several but never cut them as his predecessors did, despite frequent requests from distributors to secure lower certificates and wider audiences. Smith wasn't fond of his official 'Film Censor' title as he felt that the term was emotive and implied someone who "butchers or bans movies". Smith believed that a director's vision should remain intact regardless of the certificate and that "it's an arrogance for a censor or classifier to be cutting up and changing it".[4]
Current director Ger Connolly follows the same policy,[5] although one instance of cutting involving previous censor John Kelleher exists, regarding Korean horror film The Isle. He didn't force censorship upon the film's distributor, but didn't immediately grant a certificate after viewing it on 8 September (just two days before its original release date) and "drew attention to scenes of sexual violence and explicit self-mutilation that were causing us concern". He gave them two options – either they could resubmit it for a second viewing/re-assessment or submit a censored version to secure a certificate. The distributor, Tartan, went with the latter, removing 3m 15s on top of 1m 50s already removed by the BBFC showing animal cruelty, specifically shots of a drowning bird and mutilated fish, which earned them an 18 certificate on 29 September – the changes weren't legally required but sped up the release process.[6]
Legislation
The main legislation under which Irish films are rated and censored include:
The Censorship of Films Act, 1923 was an act "to provide for the official censoring of cinematographic pictures and for other matters connected therewith". It established the office of the Official Censor of Films and a Censorship of Films Appeal Board (see William Magennis) and that no film be exhibited in public without a certificate.
The Censorship of Films Act, 1923 was amended by the Censorship of Films (Amendment) Act, 1925, in connection with advertisements for films. It was amended by the Censorship of Films (Amendment) Act, 1930 to extend the legislation to "vocal or other sounds" accompanying pictures.
The Emergency Powers Act 1939 dealt with the preservation of the State in time of war and contained provisions relating to the censorship of communications, including mail,[7] newspapers and periodicals.
The Censorship of Films (Amendment) Act 1970 allowed films to be resubmitted for certification seven years after being rejected.
The Video Recordings Act, 1989 adds video/DVD recordings to the Film Censor's responsibility to examine. A different classification can be given than the same feature film was give but the censor cannot refuse to grant a certificate for a video if a certificate is in force for the same feature film.
Notable banned or cut films
While a number of films were formerly banned or cut by the Film Censor's Office, a review in 2000 meant that many of these have since been un-banned and rated anywhere from G to 18. During that review process it was decided that no more films would be banned for either cinema or video release, but some bans are still in place.
Prior to the Video Recordings Act 1989, many films which were banned in the cinema were freely available on video tape to anyone in Ireland regardless of age.
A notable recent ban was that of Boy Eats Girl in 2005, a film starring Samantha Mumba, due its graphic depiction of a suicide attempt. Following an appeal, it was passed uncut with a 15A rating, far from the highest possible.
The listed year refers to when the film was banned by the Office, not necessarily as the original release date:
Banned on 27 August for its cruel sensationalism and semi-nudity of the heroine. As with Frankenstein, the unrestricted General certificate caused concern for 'youngsters and nervous adults'.
The Appeal Board upheld the rejection in the same year, though no specific date is available.[8]
Banned because censors feared it would encourage anarchic tendencies.[12][13] Passed on 8 January with '16 unspecified cuts to script', including characters falling over each other in a dance scene.[14][15]
Banned on 5 February for being demoralising and unsuitable for children or 'nervous people' – age-restricted certificates weren't introduced until 1965.
Overturned by the Appeal Board on 8 March and given a certificate on 9 March (uncut).[18]
Banned on 19 August. Upheld by the Films Appeal Board on 30 September.
Banned on 29 August 1941 (under the alternate title of 'Gang War'). Upheld by the Films Appeal Board on 7 October.
Banned on 24 April 1953 (under the original title). No appeal was lodged.
Various reasons include pandering to sensationalism, glamorizing the gangster lifestyle and implying an incestuous relationship between the protagonist and his sister.[22]
Initially cut on 30 April. Dr. Richard Hayes (Film Censor from October 1940 to January 1954) cut the scientific talk which introduces the 'Rite of Spring' section, stating that it 'gave an entirely materialistic view of the origin of life'[25]:120[26] – its since been reinstated.[27]
Passed with cuts on 15 June 1945 after the EPO was lifted – this time the cuts were to dialogue between Rick and Ilsa referring to their love affair.[31]
Passed with one cut on 16 July 1974. RTÉ inquired about showing the film on television – it still required a dialogue cut to Ilsa expressing her love for Rick.[32]
Passed with 30 cuts on 10 August due to the EPO. It was passed on 27 July 1945 after the EPO was lifted, this time with only five cuts.[34] The certificate was withdrawn after one week's run at the Savoy Cinema in September after 41,000 had seen the film.:170–175[30]
Initially banned and described by the censor as a "horror film" – he also objected to a scene showing naked women being driven to the camp.[44] Overturned by the Films Appeal Board without cuts.[45]
Based on the book by James Joyce, it was banned for being "subversive to public morality", upheld by the Films Appeal Board and banned for a second time in 1975 – ban lifted in September 2000 at director Joseph Strick's request,[46][47] although it was screened at the Irish Film Theatre (a private club cinema) in the late 1970s.[48]
The first public screening was held in February 2001, with then-censor Sheamus Smith and Strick both in attendance. It went on general release at the IFI from 8 February 2001.[49]
Banned on 20 March.[51] A cut version was passed in 1979 and released theatrically in 1980, removing both a bestiality reference ("the greatest lay I ever had", referring to a sheep) and a man having sex with a bread loaf – ban/censorship lifted.[52][53]
Banned on 10 April – Warner Bros. decided against appealing due to the film causing public controversy. Passed uncut for cinema on 13 December 1999 and released on 17 March 2000.[56][57][58]
The re-release poster was rejected due to the words "ultra-violence" and "rape" in the tagline (it's a replica of the original British version). Sheamus Smith explained his rejection to the Irish Times; "I believe that the use of those words in the context of advertising would be offensive and inappropriate".[59]
Banned on 29 November due to its conflation of religion and adultery, as it features an affair between a priest and a postulant nun. Overturned by the Film Appeals Board on 17 December.[51]
The decision caused controversy among members of Fianna Fáil – chairman Ned Brennan believed the majority of the Irish public didn't want it to be released and said "standards must be maintained", wanting it banned on "moral grounds".[69][70]
Banned on 9 August.[51] Upheld by the Films Appeal Board on 20 September, although an earlier appeal meeting held on 28 August failed to come to a decision.
This all postponed the Irish home release, due on the week of the failed appeal with 2,000 copies. The video distributor (National Cable Vision) submitted a tape to Smith for a reconsideration on home media, where it had the unfortunate honor of being the first ever banned video – new legislation providing that power had been passed in July.[77][78][79][80][81]
Banned[89] on 11 October[51] because Sheamus Smith was concerned about "copycat" killings linked to the film. This reasoning was accepted by the Films Appeal Board and the ban upheld[90] on 20 January 1995[91] – revoked on 1 May 2001.[92][93]
Banned for video, most likely due to a violent rape scene. The cinema distributors (Abbey Films) never submitted it for an Irish theatrical release. PolyGram appealed the decision – the viewing took place on 23 November, where the ban was upheld.[87]
Banned on video four times: in 1994 (prohibition order #701), 2000, 5 February 2002 and 14 September 2010 (#1 the latter times).[95][96][97][98]
Then-acting director Ger Connolly "(did) not wish to be drawn into what appears to be a publicity drive on the part of the film's director", but stood by the decision for "sustained, graphic and brutal sexual violence".[99]
Banned on 8 November – no reason was given but speculation pointed towards the rape scene, which was initially cut in the UK.[100][101][93][51] Passed uncut on 23 October 2017 for video.[102]
Banned on 1 May due to its "irresponsible and totally gratuitous" violence, especially in the wake of the then-recent Dunblane and Port Arthur massacres.[101][51] – revoked on 27 January 2004 for video.[103]
Passed with one cut of 35 seconds to sexually explicit dialogue, in the sex scene between James and Catherine where she fantasizes about Vaughn. This was in an attempt to dissuade the distributors from releasing it on video, as they'd have to prepare a specially cut Irish version at high expense for a small market but it did not work.[104][105][106]
Banned for cinema on 28 October[51] and later on video[108] – the trailer caused a mass recall of Donnie Brasco's rental video (which had been passed as an 18), due to having not been classified. 3,300 copies were withdrawn and replaced, with a potential fine of €1000 to stores providing it.[109][110]
Banned for video as prohibition order #134 on 7 February 1999, for being "grossly offensive to disabled people", according to then-assistant censor (and eventual director) Ger Connolly.[113][13][114][115]
Banned for video on 27 March due to the use of realistic weapons, including metal chairs, timber wrapped with barbed wire, shinai and sledgehammers. Deputy censor Audrey Conlon also cited the "gladitorial bloodlust" of the crowd baying for increasingly extreme violence.
Clear Vision Ltd. lodged an appeal (the result of which is unknown) and claimed that "our fans love the wild soap opera element", but the IFCO countered this by stating, "This is one of the most dangerous and pernicious aspects of the entire business. The universal distinguishing feature of all soap opera is that the story lines are regularly made more explicit and, in many instances, more violent, simply to keep audience share.[122]
Banned on 30 September for video. The censored UK version was submitted, which had already removed 12s showing ejaculation for a BBFC 18 certificate.[125]
Banned on 28 November for video – the decision was upheld by the Films Appeal Board. Released theatrically in the summer of 2002, but only on a club basis at the IFI, where admission is restricted to members and guests of 18 years and over.[126][127][93][128]
Banned on 8 July under Section 7 (2) of the Censorship of Films Act, 1923.[130] According to Kelleher, he didn't object to the content and only banned it to showcase a legal anomaly, meaning that video and cinema releases of the same work automatically got the same rating. He knew the ban would be reversed and the law was changed soon after. Overturned by the Films Appeal Board on 21 July.[51][131]
The uncut version was banned on 13 September for video. A censored version was passed '18' as in the UK (where the uncut version got an 'R18', meaning it could only be bought in licensed sex shops) – all hardcore scenes were re-framed.[136][137]
As in the UK, the accompanying documentary Inside Deep Throat was passed 18 uncut (for cinema and video) due to the explicit sexual images appearing in a documentary context.[138][139] The uncut, R18 version of the film itself was only screened in the UK on a double bill with Inside... "merely to put the documentary into context", according to a spokespersion for distributor Momentum Pictures.[140][141]
18 (censored)
Film ratings
Eight film rating categories exist, although a film may have been re-rated by the time of its video/DVD release.
Symbol
Name
Cinema
Video
Consumer advice
General
Y
Y
Suitable for children of a school going age.
Theme – such films will not include themes or content that will upset younger children.
Violence – mild and unsustained. There will be an absence of blood or injury detail and any outcome will be reassuring.
Sexual content/nudity – very mild (e.g., kissing, dating, references to ‘making love’). In certain circumstances, non-sexual nudity may be acceptable.
Language – may include infrequent use of mild bad language and slang.
Drugs – forbidden unless clearly set within an educational context.[142]
Parental Guidance
Y
Y
Suitable for children aged eight and over.
Theme – while more mature issues might be addressed (e.g., war, family issues) there will generally be a positive or redemptive resolution.
Violence – frightening sequences should not be sustained or graphic. However, some stronger violence may be permissible in what is clearly a fantasy or comic context.
Sexual content/nudity – mild; any sexual activity will be implied rather than depicted. Subtle innuendo may be accepted.
Language – mild. However, in rare instances, a PG film may contain infrequent strong language provided it is used discreetly and is contextually justified. Discriminatory or racist terms will only be acceptable if used in a clearly educational context.
Drugs – any references to drug use should be mild and will relate to soft drug use only. Where stronger references are made they will be set within a clearly educational context.[143]
12A
Y
N
Suitable for viewers of twelve and over. However, they can also be seen by younger children – provided they are accompanied by an adult who has deemed the film appropriate viewing for that child.
Theme – mature themes are acceptable (crime, bereavement, relationships, etc.) provided they are depicted in a fashion suitable for young teenagers (i.e., in such a way that they will already have been familiar with in their everyday lives). Themes of suicide or self-harm or other imitable behaviour will only be acceptable if depicted without detail and in a clearly educational context.
Violence – moderate violence and more prolonged threat/horror are acceptable at 12A. This is particularly the case when depicted in a fantasy context (common at this category). Stronger images of injury detail may be acceptable if justified by the context in which they are presented (i.e., in an accurate depiction of warfare).
Sexual content/nudity – sexual content (situations and dialogue) presented without explicit detail may be acceptable at 12A. Brief sexual nudity may also be acceptable.
Language – some infrequent strong language may be acceptable, but should be used in a non-aggressive manner. Use of discriminatory language should be justified by the overall context of the film.
Drugs – images of or references to soft drugs may be permitted in an appropriate context. Generally, content relating to hard drugs is not acceptable unless there is a clear anti-drug message and the misuse of drugs is not glamorized.[144]
Announced on 9 December 2004 and took effect on 1 January 2005.[145]
12
N
Y
Suitable for viewers of twelve and over.
The guidelines for 12 are identical to the guidelines for 12A.[146]
15A
Y
N
Suitable for viewers of 15 and over. However, they can also be seen by younger children – provided they are accompanied by an adult who has deemed the film appropriate viewing for that child.
Theme – most themes/content will be acceptable with classification decided by the way the subject is treated.
Violence – this may be realistic but not gratuitous or focus on bloody injury. Strong gory images will only be permitted if justified by the context in which they are presented. We take particular account of the way in which sexual violence is portrayed. Any such content in this category should be discreetly presented and contextually justified. Generally, horror in this category will be psychological in nature. Acts of sadism common to the genre are not permissible.
Sexual content/nudity – strong sex references may be acceptable. Scenes of a sexual nature may also be acceptable but will not be explicit or prolonged.
Language – strong language is allowed. Frequent or aggressive use of these terms will have to be justified within the context of the piece.
Drugs – scenes or dialogue relating to drugs may be acceptable in an appropriate context, but not if there is glamorization, instruction or encouragement as to use.[147]
Announced on 9 December 2004 and took effect on 1 January 2005.[145]
15
N
Y
Suitable for viewers of 15 and over.
The guidelines for 15 are identical to the guidelines for 15A.[148]
16
Y
N
Suitable for viewers of 16 and over.
Theme – most themes/content will be acceptable with classification decided by the way the subject is treated.
Violence – this might be intensely depicted and may include some gory imagery. We take particular account of the way in which sexual violence is portrayed. The portrayal of such content in this category should not be explicit and must have clear contextual justification. Strong horror and sustained threat may be acceptable but will not include the strongest images of sadism and torture.
Sexual content/nudity – strong sexual themes and content may be permissible provided it is not gratuitous.
Language – strong language is acceptable.
Drugs – themes and scenes relating to hard drug use might feature. However, any instructional or glamorised drug use, particularly involving teen protagonists, is unlikely to be acceptable.[149]
Announced on 9 December 2004 and took effect on 1 January 2005.[145]
Because there is no direct equivalent on video, a film rated 16 for cinema can get either a 15 or 18 on video, depending on its strength.[149]
18
Y
Y
Suitable for viewers of eighteen or over.
One of IFCO's guiding principles is that adults (i.e., persons over 18) should be free, within the law, to choose what they wish to view.[150]
There are three former categories no longer in use:
Symbol
Name
Cinema
Video
Consumer advice
Example films
12RA
N
Y
Suitable for viewers of 12 and over.
Cannot be supplied to anyone under the age of 12, and which has a suggestion for a "Responsible Adult" to be present if a younger person watches the film (no longer issued).
If re-released, the rating is automatically changed to 12 (exceptions are noted in brackets).
However, they can also be seen by younger children – provided they are accompanied by an adult who has deemed the film appropriate viewing for that child.
Works in the same way as today's 12A. Introduced on 1 June 2001 and replaced by 12A on 1 January 2005.
Theme/Content – Likely to feature more mature themes, e.g. Involving crime, conflict, relationships, etc., but young persons of twelve and over will already be familiar with them from their television viewing.
Context – A flexibility of approach is retained whereby the context and impact of the film are viewed as a whole, rather than rating it only on the basis of one short image or scene.
Violence – Relatively mild or moderate and shouldn't be imitative, gratuitous, nor glamourised.
Sexual content/Nudity – Generally, only mild dialogue and natural non-sexual nudity are acceptable.
Drugs – Mild or brief images of 'soft' drugs may be permitted in an appropriate context, but normally no images of or references to 'hard' drugs are acceptable.
Language – Commonly used milder swear words may be acceptable, but not sexually violent, explicit or threatening language.[154]
However, they can also be seen by younger children – provided they are accompanied by an adult who has deemed the film appropriate viewing for that child.
Works in the same way as today's 15A. Introduced on 1 June 2001 and replaced by 15A on 1 January 2005.
Theme/Content – Most themes/content will be acceptable with classification normally decided by the way the subject is treated. It is worth noting that our recent nationwide survey research confirms that both parents and adolescents often experience embarrassment when they view films featuring more mature themes (e.g. sexual activity or nudity) in each other's company.
Context – Modern adolescents of fifteen and older will generally be aware of, and be able to appreciate, the context of a film.
Violence – This may be realistic but not gratuitous, prolonged or overly bloody. We take particular account of the way in which sexual violence is portrayed.
Drugs – Scenes/dialogue relating to drugs may be acceptable in an appropriate context, but not if there is instruction or encouragement as to use.
Sexual content/Nudity – Mild/moderate sexual activity/nudity is acceptable, particularly when portrayed positively.[155]
Bad Santa (this controversial decision led to the creation of the 16 rating – the extended cut is rated 18 on DVD)
The G, PG and 18 certifications have the same principles on video, but some 18s films may be denied a video release certificate.
Films which are banned and do not have an appeal lodged, or which fail on appeal, have an enforcement noticed published in Iris Oifigiúil, the state's journal. The most recent enforcement notice, as of 2005[update], appeared on 20 September 2005 journal, and was the first of the year. Revocation notices are also published in the journal, where a film has been banned and then allowed. The 2010 DVD release of the 1978 film I Spit on Your Grave is the most recent instance of an IFCO ban.[156]
Differences between jurisdictions
Ratings usually match those of the UK's film classification body, or are one level higher or lower, but rare disparities spanning two or three ratings do exist:[157]
Examples of variances include the 1932 film Scarface, which was given a "15"s rating in the UK (due to "strong language and violence")[158] and a "PG" rating in Ireland.[23][24] The reverse was the case for the 1968 film Romeo and Juliet, which was rated "PG" in the UK,[159] but "15s" in Ireland.[160][161]
The 1990 film Rocky V was rated "PG" in the UK (noted for its "moderate violence and mild language"),[162] but a "15" certificate in Ireland.[163][164][165] Upon original release, Sheamus Smith objected to the "extreme violence" of the final street fight. UIP appealed for an "Under 12's accompanied" certificate, which was unanimously vetoed.
The 1996 historical drama Michael Collins received a "15" cert in the UK (owing to "strong violence, strong language"),[166] but a lower "PG" rating in Ireland.[167] In what was described as an "unprecedented move", the Irish censor stated that the film was a "landmark in Irish cinema" and that the film should be "available to the widest possible Irish cinema audience".[168]
While the 1999 film The Cider House Rules was rated "12"s in the UK (noted for its "dramatic themes and one brief sex scene"),[166] it received an "18"s cert in Ireland (noted for "themes of abortion, incest and drugs").[169] Head video censor Audrey Conlon advocated a 15 certificate on the basis that abortion was an important subject for that age group to discuss. Smith, however, felt the matter-of-fact" treatment of abortion was inappropriate given the then-current context of the subject in the country.[170]
Exceptions
The restrictions applied to commercial cinemas did not apply to film clubs. The Irish Film Theatre (1977–1984), its predecessor, the Irish Film Society and its successor, the Irish Film Institute, specialised for decades in showing arthouse films that were uncut because films shown privately were not required to be examined by the Censor's Office.[171] The National Film Institute (later Irish Film Institute) had originally been set up to comply with the 1939 encyclical Vigilanti Cura. At one time this gave rise to a legal anomaly where the 35 mm prints of a particular film would to be required to have any "cuts" mandated by the Film Censors Office whereas the 16 mm prints were not, on the erroneous belief that all 16mm prints were destined for private film clubs. In practice, some commercial cinemas in smaller towns as well as "travelling cinemas" (often showing films in village halls owned by the Catholic Church) were only equipped to show the 16mm prints. The closure of virtually all of these smaller cinemas (owing to the rising popularity of television and video) has meant that nowadays the only places showing these 16mm prints are bona fide film clubs.
A motion picture content rating system classifies films based on their suitability for audiences due to their treatment of issues such as sex, violence, or substance abuse, their use of profanity, or other matters typically deemed unsuitable for children or adolescents. Most countries have some form of rating system that issues determinations variously known as certifications, classifications, certificates, or ratings. Age recommendations, of either an advisory or restrictive capacity, are often applied in lieu of censorship; in some jurisdictions movie theaters may have a legal obligation to enforce restrictive ratings.
This article chronicles the history of British film certificates.
The Office of Film and Literature Classification, branded as the Classification Office, is an independent Crown entity established under Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993 responsible for censorship and classification of publications in New Zealand. A "publication" is defined broadly to be anything that shows an image, representation, sign, statement, or word. This includes films, video games, books, magazines, CDs, T-shirts, street signs, jigsaw puzzles, drink cans, and slogans on campervans. The Chief Censor, Caroline Flora, is the chair of the Office.
In Ireland, the state retains laws that allow for censorship, including specific laws covering films, advertisements, newspapers and magazines, as well as terrorism and pornography, among others. In the early years of the state, censorship was more widely enforced, particularly in areas that were perceived to be in contradiction of Catholic dogma, including abortion, sexuality and homosexuality. The church had banned many books and theories for centuries, listed in the Index Librorum Prohibitorum.
The Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO) is the organisation responsible for films, television programmes, and some video game classification and censorship within Ireland. Where restrictions are placed by the IFCO, they are legally binding.
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The Irish film industry has grown somewhat from the late 20th century, due partly to the promotion of the sector by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and the introduction of heavy tax breaks. According to the Irish Audiovisual Content Production Sector Review carried out by the Irish Film Board and PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2008 this sector, has gone from 1,000 people employed six or seven years previously, to well over 6,000 people in that sector by the time of the report. The sector was reportedly valued at over €557.3 million and represented 0.3% of GDP. Most films are produced in English as Ireland is largely Anglophone, though some productions are made in Irish either wholly or partially.
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The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is a non-governmental organisation founded by the British film industry in 1912 and responsible for the national classification and censorship of films exhibited at cinemas and video works released on physical media within the United Kingdom. It has a statutory requirement to classify all video works released on VHS, DVD, Blu-ray, and, to a lesser extent, some video games under the Video Recordings Act 1984. The BBFC was also the designated regulator for the UK age-verification scheme, which was abandoned before being implemented.
In Ireland, "publication or utterance of blasphemous matter", defamatory of any religion, was a criminal offence until 17 January 2020. It was a requirement of the 1937 Constitution until removed after a 2018 referendum. The common law offence of blasphemous libel, applicable only to Christianity and last prosecuted in 1855, was believed to fulfil the constitutional requirement until a 1999 ruling that it was incompatible with the constitution's guarantee of religious equality. The Defamation Act 2009 included a provision intended to fill the lacuna while being "virtually impossible" to enforce, and no prosecution was made under it. The 2009 statute increased controversy, with proponents of freedom of speech and freedom of religion arguing for amending the constitution. After the 2018 constitutional amendment, a separate bill to repeal the 2009 provision and residual references to blasphemy was enacted in 2019 by the Oireachtas (parliament) and came into force in 2020. The Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989, which includes religion among the characteristics protected from incitement to hatred, remains in force.
The Australian Classification Board is an Australian government statutory body responsible for the classification and censorship of films, television programmes, video games and publications for exhibition, sale or hire in Australia.
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Book censorship was carried out in several instances in Ireland between 1929 and 1998, with all remaining bans from that period having expired by 2010. However, the laws remained on the statute books and a book was banned again in 2016. Censorship was enacted by a 1929 act of the Irish Free State.
Film censorship in the United Kingdom began with early cinema exhibition becoming subject to the Disorderly Houses Act 1751. The Cinematograph Act 1909 was primarily concerned with introducing annual licensing of premises where films were shown, particularly because of the fire risk of nitrate film. After the Act began to be used by local authorities to control what was shown, the film industry responded by establishing a British Board of Film Censors (BBFC) in 1912, funded by an Incorporated Association of Kinematograph Manufacturers levy.
Film censorship in China involves the banning of films which are deemed unsuitable for release and it also involves the editing of such films and the removal of content which is objected to by the governments of China. In April 2018, films were reviewed by the China Film Administration (CFA) under the Publicity Department of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) which dictates whether, when, and how a movie gets released. The CFA is separate from the National Radio and Television Administration under the State Council.
Paint Drying is a 2023 British experimental protest film that was produced, directed and shot by Charlie Shackleton. He created the film in 2016 to protest against film censorship in the United Kingdom and the sometimes-prohibitive cost to independent filmmakers which the British Board of Film Classification's (BBFC) classification requirement imposes. The film consists of 607 minutes of a static view of white paint drying on a brick wall. Shackleton made the film to force the BBFC to watch all ten hours to give the film an age rating classification. He initially shot 14 hours' worth of footage of paint drying in 4K resolution and opened a Kickstarter campaign to pay the BBFC's per-minute rate for a film as long as possible. It raised £5,936 from 686 backers. After reviewing the film, the BBFC rated it 'U' for 'Universal', indicating "no material likely to offend or harm". Paint Drying had its first public screening at the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane, Australia, between 10–29 November 2023 as part of the Cinema Obstructed film exhibition—for which Shackleton was co-curator.
↑ Dwyer, Michael (1 October 2004). "Censor blocks 'notorious' Korean film". The Irish Times.
↑ "Emergency Powers Act, 1939". Attorney General of Ireland. 3 September 1939. Archived from the original on 27 November 2007. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
↑ Malone, Aubrey (27 May 2011). "West and the Rest". Censoring Hollywood: Sex and Violence in Film and on the Cutting Room Floor. McFarland & Co Inc. p.51. ISBN978-0-7864-6465-4. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2013. The Marx Brothers 'Monkey Business' was also banned in Ireland in 1931 for fear it would "provoke the Irish to anarchy".
↑ Rockett, Kevin (2004). Irish film censorship: a cultural journey from silent cinema to Internet pornography. Dublin: Four Courts. ISBN978-1-85182-844-9.
↑ Rockett, Kevin (2004). Irish Film Censorship: A Cultural Journey from Silent Cinema to Internet Pornography. Four Courts Press. p.287. ISBN978-1-85182-845-6.
↑ Dwyer, Michael (13 August 1991). "Russell film ban to be appealed". The Irish Times.
↑ Dwyer, Michael (29 August 1991). "Board fails to decide on Russell film". The Irish Times.
↑ Dwyer, Michael (21 September 1991). "Ban on Russell film is upheld". The Irish Times.
↑ Rockett, Kevin (2004). Irish Film Censorship: A Cultural Journey from Silent Cinema to Internet Pornography. Four Courts Press. p.286. ISBN978-1-85182-845-6.
↑ Rockett, Kevin (2004). Irish Film Censorship: A Cultural Journey from Silent Cinema to Internet Pornography. Four Courts Press. pp.286, 290, 445. ISBN978-1-85182-845-6.
↑ Battersby, Eileen (29 December 1994). "Movie Mad". The Irish Times.
1 2 Rockett, Kevin (2004). Irish Film Censorship: A Cultural Journey from Silent Cinema to Internet Pornography. Four Courts Press. pp.290, 445. ISBN978-1-85182-845-6.
↑ "I Spit On Your Grave". Irish Film Classification Office. Irish Film Classification Office. Archived from the original on 30 May 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
↑ Rockett, Kevin (2004). Irish Film Censorship: A Cultural Journey from Silent Cinema to Internet Pornography. Four Courts Press. pp.279, 443. ISBN978-1-85182-845-6.
↑ "Showgirls". IFCO: Irish Film Classification Office. Irish Film Classification Office. Archived from the original on 25 December 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
↑ Rockett, Kevin (2004). Irish Film Censorship: A Cultural Journey from Silent Cinema to Internet Pornography. Four Courts. p.285. ISBN978-1-85182-844-9.
↑ Rockett, Kevin (2004). Irish Film Censorship: A Cultural Journey from Silent Cinema to Internet Pornography. Four Courts Press. p.288. ISBN978-1-85182-845-6.
↑ Gibbons, Fiachra; Correspondent, Arts (26 October 1999). "Lars Von Trier film banned in Ireland". Archived from the original on 12 February 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2019– via www.theguardian.com.{{cite web}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
↑ "Archived copy"(PDF). Archived(PDF) from the original on 30 September 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
↑ Rockett, Kevin (2004). Irish Film Censorship: A Cultural Journey from Silent Cinema to Internet Pornography. Four Courts Press. pp.291, 445. ISBN978-1-85182-845-6.
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