Heavy restriction on French film Baise-Moi

From: Office of Film and Literature Classification

Embargo: None

Chief Censor places heavy restriction on French film Baise-Moi

French film Baise-Moi caused controversy overseas because of its shocking portrayal of violence, and the explicit depiction of sexual activity. Of particular concern was the juxtaposition of extreme violence with explicit sexual activity.

The story is about two women who meet and together embark on a violent crime spree. The film shows one of the women being raped prior to their meeting.

Chief Censor Bill Hastings exercised a little used discretionary power and called a copy of the film into his Office before it was exhibited in New Zealand.

Because of the difficult nature of the material the Classification Office consulted with Rape Crisis, Women's Refuge, STOP (an organisation that deals with male sex offenders), a university lecturer in film, and a select group of members of the public before making a classification decision.

The Chief Censor's decision allows Baise-Moi to be released under certain circumstances. The film's availability is limited for the purpose of study in a tertiary media or film studies course or as part of a film festival organised by an incorporated film society, and in both cases to persons who have attained the age of 18 years.

Bill Hastings said "This decision limits potential harm to the public while recognising that Baise-Moi has significant merit within the context of film history."

ENDS

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