On 25 December 2020, film director Anonno
Mamun and actor Shaheen Mridha have been charged with making a film with pornographic content . Dhaka Metropolitan Police arrested the artists the day before due to a case filed against them under the Pornography Control Act for allegedly
insulting the police in the film Nabab LLB .
The film Nabab LLB was released on 16 December 2020 and is set in a fictional courtroom, treating about rape and the treatment of victims.
According to Al Jazeera , the report
released by Dhaka Metropolitan Police points to making and acting in a film containing such offensive and obscene dialogue as a reason for the artists' arrest. The report also highlights that the police was poorly represented in the film and that
the representation of the police officer using offensive gestures and obscene language during the fictional interrogation in the film could cause negative perceptions about policing among public.
The Nile Hilton
Incident is a 2017 Sweden / Denmark / Germany / France crime thriller by Tarik Saleh. Starring Fares Fares, Mari Malek and Yasser Ali Maher.
Egypt: Banned by the authorities in 2017
Egyptian police raided a tiny alternative film venue in Cairo last week to prevent the screening of a thriller critical of law enforcement that has been banned.
The officers prevented The Nile Hilton Incident from being played in a makeshift, 25-seat theatre because it was a downloaded copy that didn't have government permission to be shown.
It has not been allowed to screen at either the current
festival or November's smaller, Panorama of the European Film festival, also in Cairo.
Summary Notes
Set against the backdrop of the Egyptian Revolution, the thriller features a police officer who
investigates the murder of a woman. What initially seems to be a killing of a prostitute turns into a more complicated case involving the very elite of Egypt.
Availability
US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:
2017 Strand Releasing R1 DVD at US Amazon released on 21st November 2017
The controversial documentary No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka ; has been refused a censor certificate for release in theaters by the
Indian Central Board of Film Certification.
The censors banned the films on the supposedgrounds it may strain friendly relations with Sri Lanka. Claiming that most of the visuals are of a disturbing nature .
The revelation of the
Indian ban follows what appears to be a concerted campaign by the Sri Lankan government to pressurize foreign governments to stop the film being seen
Lena Hendry, Programme
Coordinator of the Malaysian human rights NGO Pusat KOMAS, has been charged under the Film Censorship Act for organising a private screening of the documentary film called No Fire Zone, the Killing Fields of Sri Lanka .
Pressure originally came from
the Sri Lankan Embassy in Malaysia. They faxed a letter to the KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Civil Right Committee (KLSCAH) asking them not to screen the documentary. On July 1, 2013, Lena Hendry had received a call from the Censorship Board of
the Ministry of Home Affairs, who asked the organisers to stop the screening because the film had not gone under censorship. She had replied that the screening was private and upon invitation only.
The private showing was raided by about 30 officials
of the KDN, immigration officials and the police entered the Chinese Assembly hall and requested to check the film.
Kuala Lumpur Magistrate's Court sentenced Ms. Lena Hendry to a fine of MYR 10,000 (about EUR 2,130) or one year in prison for the
private screening of the documentary.
Nepal: Banned
Banned from Film Southasia 2013 film festival in Kathmandu following a directive from the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Sri Lanka
: Banned
A ban that Sri Lanka has tried to inflict on other countries too.
Summary Notes
No Fire Zone is a feature length film about the final awful months of the 26 year long Sri Lankan
civil war told by the people who lived through it...
Noah is a 2014 USA adventure drama by Darren Aronofsky. With Russell Crowe,
Jennifer Connelly and Anthony Hopkins.
Banned in Bahrain, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Qatar, UAE
Bahrain: Banned by the film censor
China : Banned in May 2014
Getting Noah past China's cinematic censors was stymied due to Beijing's
sensitivities on religious issues, according to the Hollywood Reporter trade journal. A source said: This was for religious reasons, though it seems the whole issue was quite complicated.
Indonesia: Banned by the film censor
Indonesia's film-censorship board has banned Darren Aronofsky's upcoming movie Noah on the grounds that it showed an image of Noah who is considered to be a prophet in the religion of islam.
The chairman of the censorship board said
the story presented in Noah ran counter to the relevant verses in the religious book, the Koran. Mukhlis Paeni said:
There are many considerations. The first thing is the content of Noah is against our beliefs or not
according to the story in the holy book.
Malaysia: Banned by the government film censor
A home ministry official has confirmed that Noah will not be screened in Malaysia. Abdul Halim Abdul Hamid,
chairman of the home ministry's Film Censorship Board, said the decision to ban the film was made about two weeks ago. He said:
Yes, I can confirm that it has been banned by the board, the movie can cause quite a lot of
anger and distress if it is shown in Malaysia.
Abdul Halim said the main reason for the ban was the portrayal of Noah by Crowe, since Islam forbids visual depictions of any prophet.
Qatar : Banned by the film
censor
UAE: Banned
The National Media Council (NMC), the UAE film censor, confirmed that the film had been banned for reasons of religious intolerance. Juma Obaid Al Leem, director of the Media Content Tracking Department at the NMC
said:
The film conflicts with all religions. Out of respect for these religious sentiments, we are banning the film.
Summary Notes
Noah suffers visions of an apocalyptic
deluge and takes measures to protect his family from the coming flood.
The film was not without censorship concerns in the US. The studio was said to be concerned that the director's version may not go down well with the religious. However screenings
with test audiences did not convince the studio that was a need for change. So the original director's version got the go ahead. However a disclaimer was added to posters to distance the film from religious criticism:
The
film is inspired by the story of Noah. While artistic license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for millions of people worldwide. The biblical story of Noah
can be found in the Book of Genesis.
Availability
US: Uncut and MPAA PG-13 rated for:
2014 Paramount (RA) Blu-ray/R1 DVD Combo at US Amazon
The Nun is a 2018 USA horror mystery thriller by Corin Hardy. Starring Taissa
Farmiga, Bonnie Aarons and Charlotte Hope.
Lebanon: Banned in September 2018
Lebanon's film censors have banned the film from a cinema release claiming that the film was
offensive to the Christian faith. It is unclear which scenes caused 'the offence', but some believe the ban may stem from the victimisation of nuns in the film.
The Warner Bros production was awaiting a screening licence from the General Security's
censorship committee ahead of an expected release on 6 September. However the Catholic committee watched the movie and asked the General Security to ban it in Lebanon for religious reasons.
Summary Notes
When a young nun at a cloistered abbey in Romania takes her own life, a priest with a haunted past and a novitiate on the threshold of her final vows are sent by the Vatican to investigate. Together they uncover the order's unholy
secret. Risking not only their lives but their faith and their very souls, they confront a malevolent force in the form of the same demonic nun that first terrorized audiences in 'The Conjuring 2,' as the abbey becomes a horrific battleground between the
living and the damned.
v Nymphomaniac
- 2013 Denmark/Belgium/France/Germany/UK mystery drama by Lars von Trier.
Nymphomaniac is a 2013 Denmark/Belgium/France/Germany/UK
mystery drama by Lars von Trier. With Charlotte Gainsbourg, Stellan Skarsgård and Stacy Martin.
Uncut by UK and US film censors. Exists as a Theatrical Version and a
Director's Cut. The film was banned in Armenia, Romania, Turkey and Uzbekistan.
Armenia:
Withdrawn from one cinema after pressure from campaigners
An Armenian film director has denounced today a private cinema theater in Yerevan for cancelling the premier of a scandalous Danish director Lars von Trier's Nymphomaniac due to numerous complaints by some citizens and social groups,"
without naming any of them. Cinema Star said its operation was "family-oriented" and to avoid conflicting opinions" about the film it decided to cancel its premier in Yerevan.
Japan: Censored
Not
banned but all the explicit sex has been blurred by Japanese censors.
Romania:
Volume II was banned from public exhibition in January 2014
Unbanned a couple of days later
The news of the ban swept through the European press. The government felt the shame and within a couple of days the film censor was sacked, and the film was unbanned.
Georgica Severin, chairman of the Romanian senate's culture committee
criticised the decision, pointing out the fact that Nymphomaniac: Volume I was already running in the country's cinemas.
Then the Hollywood Reporter said the president of the ratings commission, Cristina Corciovescu, had been dismissed and that the
film's rating had been changed to Romania's version of an 18 certificate. The paper quoted an email from Antoine Bagnaninchi, managing director of Independenta film, which said it was great publicity for the film but very bad for the image of
Romania .
Turkey:
Banned by the film censor in February 2014
Turkey's film board banned the film outright on a vote of six to two that Nymphomaniac be classified as pornography.
The board includes members of Turkey's cultural, interior and education ministries as well as a psychologist and a
sociologist.
This film is in the porn category...because of its explicit sexual scenes, Turkey's cinema general director Cem Erkul told AFP: It also depicts extreme violence against women.
Uzbekistan: Re-banned in
October 2018
Presumably the film was banned at the time of its release, but the ban has been re-iterated in a list of movies banned from Video on Demand on domestic internet services.
Summary Notes
The continuation of Joe's sexually dictated life delves into the darker aspects of her adult life and what led to her being in Seligman's care.
Availability
UK: The Director's Cut was
passed 18 uncut for strong real sex, very strong language for:
2023 Curzon Film Lars Von Trier A Curzon Collection (RB) Blu-ray at UK Amazon #ad
2015 Artificial Eye [Part 1 + Part 2 Director's Cut] (RB) Blu-ray at UK
Amazon released on 11th May 2015
2015 Artificial Eye [Part 1 + Part 2 Director's Cut] R2 DVD
at UK Amazon released on 11th May 2015
UK: The Theatrical Version was passed 18 uncut for strong violence, strong real sex and strong sex references for:
2014 Artificial Eye [Vol I + Vol II] RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon
2014 Artificial Eye
[Vol I + Vol II] R2 DVD at UK Amazon
Of Good Report is a 2013 South Africa thriller by Jahmil XT
Qubeka. With Stevel Marc, Petronella Tshuma and Mothusi Magano.
South Africa :
Banned in 2013 by the film censorship board
Unbanned in 2013. The film was unbanned a few days later by the appeal board
See article from iol.co.za : Banned for under age
sex featuring a 23 year old
Censorship marred the opening of the 34th Durban International Film Festival (Diff) when the Film and Publication Board banned the opening film, Of Good Report.
According to the censor board's classification committee they stopped watching the film at 28 minutes and 16 seconds because the film contained child pornography. At this point in the film 16-year-old Nolitha (played by 23-year-old
Petronella Tshuma) is depicted in her Grade 9 school uniform. Since she had engaged in a sexual act with an adult in a preceding scene, this is depiction of child pornography, according to the board.
In an e-mailed letter to the
Diff manager, Peter Machen, the board refused to classify the film and ordered the festival to either destroy or surrender copies of the film to the police.
The film makers will now appeal the ban.
Of Good
Report producer Mike Auret, of Spier Films, said the film had been picked up for screening at the next Berlin, Rotterdam, Toronto and Dubai film festivals.
The film censors
stopped viewing the film as soon as they suspected the depiction of child porn, and so missed the following contextualising scenes that would have put their minds at rest.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a 2019 USA / UK comedy drama by Quentin Tarantino. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie.
Exists as a Theatrical Version and an Extended Cut. The pre-release
version shwn on the film festival circuit was a couple of minutes shorter than the Theatrical Version. The film was banned in China.
The Chinese cinema release of Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time ...
in Hollywood was cancelled with just a week's notice. The film censors banned the film but did not given any explanation of the reason why.
Tarantino, who is known to be opposed to any kind of tinkering with his films and has final-cut rights
included in his contract, has no plans to bring his film back to the editing bay, especially given that China has offered no explanation for what is objectionable in the film that revolves around the events leading up to the infamous Manson Family
murders of 1969.
The decision to halt the release is speculated to be about Tarantino's portrayal of the late martial arts hero Bruce Lee, who was of Chinese descent. It seems that Bruce Lee's daughter, Shannon Lee, made a direct appeal to China's
National Film Administration, asking that it demand changes to her father's portrayal. Friends and family of the Hollywood action star have criticized Tarantino for his portrayal of Lee, saying it doesn't resemble the real-life man and is instead a
caricature.
Summary Notes
Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood visits 1969 Los Angeles, where everything is changing, as TV star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his
longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) make their way around an industry they hardly recognize anymore. The ninth film from the writer-director features a large ensemble cast and multiple storylines in a tribute to the final moments of Hollywood's
golden age.
v Onward
- 2020 USA children's cartoon comedy by Dan Scanlon.
Onward is a 2020 USA children's cartoon comedy by Dan Scanlon. Starring Tom Holland, Chris Pratt and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Middle East: Banned in March 2020 in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia
Disney's latest Pixar cartoon Onward has been banned by several Middle Eastern countries because of a reference to lesbian
parents. The film will not be shown in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Russia: Cut in March 2020
Police officer Specter, voiced by Lena Waithe, has been heralded as Disney-Pixar's first openly gay
character. Her lines include: It's not easy being a parent... my girlfriend's daughter got me pulling my hair out, OK?
Russia censored the scene in question by changing the word girlfriend to partner and avoiding mentioning the gender of
Specter.
Summary Notes
Set in a suburban fantasy world, two teenage elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot, go on an journey to discover if there is still a little magic left out
there in order to spend one last day with their father, who died when they were too young to remember him.
v Pad Man
- 2018 India comedy biography by R Balki.
Pad Man is a 2018 India comedy biography by R Balki. Starring
Akshay Kumar, Radhika Apte and Sonam Kapoor.
Pakistan: Banned in February 2018
Members of the Punjab Film Censor Board have refused even to watch the film and have claimed that
taboo subject films will not be allowed screening in cinemas. National film censors of the CBFC concurred and so the film's cinema release has been cancelled.
Summary Notes
Biography on Tamil Nadu
activist Arunachalam Muruganantham, whose mission was to provide sanitary napkin's to poor women of rural areas. Who would use rag cloths or leaves during periods where use of sanitary napkins was rare. After he did not get fruitful results from his
family and a medical college he approached, he decided to try it himself by making a uterus out of football bladder and filling goat's blood in it. He would roam around the whole day with the bladder, the aim was to check the absorption rate of the
sanitary napkins made by him.
v Padmavat
- 2017 India historical romance by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Padmavat is a 2017 India historical romance by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor. Malaysia: Banned in January 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 axed as it depicted Muslims negatively.
India: Partially re-banned by violent religious mobs in January 2018
Protesters in India's Gujarat have blocked roads and caused local bus services to be suspended, after the Supreme
Court cleared the release of controversial Bollywood film Padmavat.
Extremist Hindu groups torched buses and vandalised a theatre in the western state of Gujarat on Sunday.
Despite the court ruling and tightened security, theatre owners in the
state have decided against screening the film as they fear further violence.
About a quarter of cinemas across India decided not to show the film for fear of religious violence.
India: Unbanned by India's Supreme Court in
January 2018
India's Supreme Court has found that individual states should not be able to overrode the national film censor and so bans in the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana have been overturned.
The film's
producers had approached the Supreme Court to challenge the states' ban, and Chief Justice Dipak Misra concurred with the producers. He stated:
Cinemas are an inseparable part of right to free speech and expression.
States... cannot issue notifications prohibiting the screening of a film.
India: Banned in 4 states in January 2018
The controversial historical movie Padmaavat looks all set to arrive in cinemas on
January 25 but members of the Bharatiya Janata Party continue to make threats about its release?
The film has now been passed by the Central Board of Film Certification with a U/A certificate and five cuts adding up to 5s:
The title was changed from Padmavati, an historical character, to the fictional name Padmavat.
Disclaimers were added with one regarding not glorifying the practice of Sati, and another noting that the film is fictional.
There were
cuts to the Ghoomar song to 'befit' the character portrayed.
Viacom Pictures put out a press release on Saturday confirming a worldwide release in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
However, despite the censor board's green signal, the movie has been banned in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Haryana, all of
which are BJP-ruled states. This is entirely legal. State governments have the power to block a film's release even after censor clearance.
There has been no end to protests by the Rajput Karni Sena, the community organisation that has been leading
attacks on the movie since early 2017 on the grounds that it distorts history. On Friday, over 130 Rajput Karni Sena members were arrested in Mumbai for staging a protest outside the CBFC headquarters in Mumbai. The organisation has demanded that the
certification be revoked until its leaders have watched the movie, and have threatened to burn down cinemas that screen the film.
Summary Notes
Rani Padmavati (aka Padmini) is said to be one of the
most beautiful women to ever exist. This real life story is epitome of Love and sacrifice between Rajput Queen Padmavati and Rana Rawal Ratan Singh, the Rajput ruler of Mewar. Their perfect life took unfortunate turn when Allauddin Khilji's lustful eyes
gazed upon Queen Padmavati. Alauddin Khilji is known as one of the most brutal rulers of the Khilji dynasty, who ascended the throne by killing his father-in-law, his brother-in-laws and their uncles. He was known for attacking states, only for their
land and women. And, the motive behind the attack on Mewar was none other than royal Rani Padmavati. Chittorgarh fort, today, stands as an epitome of the true Rajputana spirit, loyalty, fidelity and bravery and a symbol of women power.
v Parasite
- 2019 South Korea comedy thriller by Joon-ho Bong (as Joon Ho Bong).
Parasite is a 2019 South Korea comedy thriller by Joon-ho Bong (as Joon Ho Bong). Starring Kang-ho Song, Yeo-jeong Jo and Woo-sik Choi. China: Banned in July 2019
The
film was pulled from the FIRST film festival in Xining for technical reasons, a euphemism for being banned by the film censors. No explanation was provided but it could be a simple as frosty relations between China and South Korea. No Korean films have
been allowed to screen in China in the last two years.
Summary Notes
All unemployed, Ki-taek's family takes peculiar interest in the wealthy and glamorous Parks for their
livelihood until they get entangled in an unexpected incident.
Pari is a 2018 India horror mystery by Prosit Roy. Starring Parambrata
Chatterjee, Dibyendu Bhattacharya and Ritabhari Chakraborty.
Pakistan: Banned in March 2018
Pakistan's Central Board of Film Censors banned Pari from cinema release as the content of the film was
deemed unfit. A CBFC censor said:
The use of black magic shown in the movie violates the tenets of Islam. Pari's script, dialogues and storyline go against our Islamic values. This film stimulates the viewers in favour of
black magic and promotes thoughts that are contradictory to our religion.
Pattaya is a 2016 France comedy by Franck Gastambide. Starring
Franck Gastambide, Malik Bentalha and Anouar Toubali.
Thailand: Banned in July 2016
This hit French film was banned from screening at the Thailand International Film Destination Festival by
government film censors. Presumably they felt that the sexy goings on in Pattaya are not a good advertisement for Thailand.
Summary Notes
Franky and Krimo dream of leaving the dullness of their
neighborhood on a trip in the famously sultry Thai resort of Pattaya
Personal Affairs is a 2016 Israel drama by Maha Haj. Starring Maisa Abd Elhadi, Ziad Bakri and Jihan Dermelkonian. Lebanon: Banned in 2016
Personal Affairs by
Palestinian director Maha Haj was banned in 2016 from screening at the Beirut Film Festival because it was produced by an Israeli company and shot there.
Summary Notes
In Nazareth, an old couple
lives wearily to the rhythm of the daily routine. On the other side of the border, in Ramallah, their son Tarek wishes to remain an eternal bachelor, their daughter is about to give birth while her husband lands a movie role and the grandmother loses her
head ... Between check-points and dreams, frivolity and politics, some want to leave, others want to stay but all have personal affairs to resolve.
v Phantom
- 2015 India action thriller by Kabir Khan.
Phantom is a 2015 India action thriller by Kabir Khan. Starring
Saif Ali Khan, Katrina Kaif and Rajesh Tailang.
Pakistan: Banned in August 2015
The Indian movie, Phantom was set to be released on August 28 both in Pakistan and India, but its screening is now banned in Pakistani cinemas as the result of a case in
the Lahore High Court. It follows the pattern of Pakistanis not being impressed by being depicted as the bad guys.
In this case, a lawyer representing a suspected bad guy wanted by the U.S., brought the case over being depicted as a terrorist who is
the target of an assassination in the film. The internationally designated terrorist who was the brains behind the 26/11 attacks felt that this movie would somehow mislead the residents of Pakistan.
Summary Notes
Phantom is a political thriller that unfolds across various countries around the world. The plot revolves around protagonist Daniyal, whose journey to seek justice takes him from India to Europe, America and the volatile Middle East.
However, he finds out that in a mission like this, there is always a price to pay, in this case, a very personal price.
Availability
UK: Passed 15 uncut for strong violence for:
2015 cinema release
v Plane
- 2023 action thriller by Jean-François Richet
Plane is a 2023 action thriller by Jean-François Richet Starring Gerard
Butler, Mike Colter and Yoson An
Summary Notes
A pilot finds himself caught in a war zone after he's forced to land his commercial aircraft during a terrible storm.
Philippines:
Withdrawn by the distributors in February 2023
The film was withdrawn from distribution rather than officially banned by the film censor but the film censor loudly condemned the film for its portrayal of locals as the baddies. Politicians
also applied pressure for a ban.
The chair of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board said that while the film is fictional, the country should not be portrayed in a negative and inaccurate light.
Sen. Robinhood Padilla said: This should not be allowed. ... The reputation of our Motherland is at stake
, adding that it is acceptable to discuss issues among Filipinos, but criticisms from foreigners should not be tolerated.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri even expressed concern that the film could jeopardize the government's tourism
promotions because it paints a wrong picture of the Philippines.
v The Post - 2017 USA historical
biography by Steven Spielberg.
The Post is a 2017 USA historical biography by Steven Spielberg. Starring Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks and Sarah Paulson.
Lebanon: Unbanned in January 2018
Interior Minister Nohad Mashnouk decided to overturn the ban on The Post. Mashnouk saw no obstacle preventing the film from being shown because it has nothing to do with
Lebanon or the conflict with the Israeli enemy.
Lebanon: Banned in January 2018
Lebanon = banned Steven Spielberg's newspaper drama The Post a few days before the film was set to premiere in Beirut.
A source involved
with The Post's international distribution says the movie was presented to the Lebanese censorship board, which banned it, citing Israel connections that includes Spielberg filming some scenes for Schindler's List in Jerusalem.
Summary Notes
A cover-up that spanned four U.S. Presidents pushed the country's first female newspaper publisher and a hard-driving editor to join an unprecedented battle between journalist and government. Inspired by true events.
The film is a story about a fictional president who disappears days before the general election, and refers to Cameroon's strongman President Paul Biya, who has been in power for more than three decades.
The
film premiered at the Durban International Film Festival in July and touches on a number of taboo subjects including the ailing health of President Biya, who spends most of his time outside the country for treatment, and a reflection of other presidents
in similar circumstances including Eduardo de Santos, of Angola, and Zambia's Michael Sata said to be in India or London.
This film, although set in Cameroon, is said to be a reflection of a number of African countries including
Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi and Nigeria whose presidents have died in power after undergoing treatment for years amid denial from aides and parties.
v Pride
- 2014 UK comedy drama by Matthew Warchus.
Pride is a 2014 UK comedy drama by Matthew Warchus. Starring Bill Nighy and Imelda Staunton and Dominic West.
There are no UK or US censorship issues with this release however the film has been
banned from several showings in Turkey
Turkey: Banned in June 2023:
Kadiköy District Governor's Office on June 7 2023 banned the screening of the movie titled Pride organized by the Beksav Cinema Collective. The
collective stated that they will organize the screening despite the ban. Nonetheless, the police blockaded their building and detained people who came to watch the movie screening and the BEKSAV executives.
The film has been banned before in Turkey
when the Ankara authorities also banned screenings in 2018.
US: Artwork sensitivities
The film has not been cut by film censors but the US DVD/Blu-ray covers were edited to remove all references to
homosexuality, in particular removing a gay protest banner and deleting the word 'gay' from the description that the heroes were 'gay activists'.
Summary Notes
U.K. gay activists
work to help miners during their lengthy strike of the National Union of Mineworkers in the summer of 1984.
Versions
uncut
run:
119:57s
pal:
115:09s
UK: Uncut and BBFC 15 rated for strong language, sex references:
Radiance of
Resistance is a 2016 Palestine/US documentary by Jesse Roberts Starring Ahed al-Tamimi and Janna Ayyad
Singapore: Banned with NAR rating (Not allowed at all ratings) in January 2018
Film censors of the IMDA cancelled a film festival screening, saying that the documentary explores the Palestinian-Israeli conflict through the eyes of the two young protagonists, without a counterbalance. The censors said in a statement:
The skewed narrative of the film is inflammatory and has the potential to cause disharmony amongst the different races and religions in Singapore.
v Raees
- 2017 India action crime thriller by Rahul Dholakia.
Raees is a 2017 India action crime thriller by Rahul Dholakia. Starring
Sunny Leone, Shah Rukh Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.
BBFC category cuts were required for a 12A rated 2017 cinema release. The film was banned in Pakistan.
Pakistan: Banned in February 2017
The film was banned in Pakistan due to its objectionable content. A source from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) said:
Owing to subtle portrayal of Muslims as violent criminals and
terrorists, the recommendations forwarded by the CBFC panel deemed the film is unsuitable for public screening.
We could not issue a certificate because the film portrays Islam and a particular Muslim sect in negative light.
The problem, as FirstPost explains, is that Raees tells the true story of a Muslim in the 1980s who indulges in the trade of liquor. The movie was deemed insulting to Islam because it
subtly portrays Muslims as criminals, violent terrorists, wanted men, and gangsters.
In other words, it is an action film about a bootlegger who was a Muslim. The real-life individual who inspired the film became a Robin
Hood-style folk hero and grew influential in politics.
Summary Notes
The film is set in the early 80's and 90's in Gujarat. The fictitious story of a man who builds an empire in the
state of Gujarat, the only state that still follows prohibition. It's a story about his rise and his relationships, which help him become the single most powerful man in the state.
v Rafiki
- 2018 Kenya / South Africa drama by Wanuri Kahiu.
Rafiki is a 2018 Kenya / South Africa drama by Wanuri Kahiu. Starring Patricia Amira, Muthoni Gathecha and Jimmy Gathu.
Kenya: High court confirms ban in April 2020
Rafiki was banned by Kenya's moralist film censor in April 2018 for its gay themes. The film makers have been pursuing the censorship through the courts,
on the grounds that Kenya's constitution includes the right to artistic freedom of expression.
But now the High Court of Kenya has upheld the violation of the film makers' rights to freedom of expression ruling that the film's ban:
Does not in any way violate Artistic Freedom of Expression, but instead protect the society from moral decay
Kenya: Still banned in Kenya but proved to be a hit around the world
Kenya Banned Her Film for Its Corrupt Lesbian Romance. So She Showed It Off to the World
A Kenyan judge has lifted a ban on a film about a lesbian relationship - for a week. Judge
Wilfrida Okwany decided to allow the screening of the film for seven days so that it could be submitted for the Oscars.
In order to be submitted to the Academy Awards, the film must have been publicly exhibited for at least seven consecutive days at a
commercial motion picture venue.
In her ruling on Friday, Ms Okwany gave permission for the film to be shown to willing adults. She said she was not convinced that Kenya is such a weak society that its moral foundation will be shaken by seeing such a
film.
But the head of the Kenya Film Classification Board, Ezekiel Mutua, was unhappy about the decision, claiming homosexuality is not our way of life.
Wanuri Kahiu, the director of the banned film Rafiki is Suing Kenya's film censors to unblock the way
for the film to qualify as contender for the Oscars. The suit demands that the local ban be lifted in time for her to submit the film to be considered for an Oscar. It's also pushing to change the law that has been used to ban popular films like The
Wolf of Wall Street.
For Rafiki to be eligible for a Best Foreign Language award, it needs to be shown in Kenya before September 30, The Hollywood Reporter adds . If the selection committee is given permission to screen the film to submit it to
the Academy, Rafiki could be the first Kenyan film to be nominated in that category
Kenya: Banned by the Kenya Film Classification Board in April 2018
The KFCB claimed the film seeks to legitimize lesbian romance.
Summary notes
Rafiki, which means friend in Swahili, is adapted from the 2007 Caine Prize-winning short story, Jambula Tree, by Ugandan writer Monica Arac Nyeko. It follows two close friends, Kena
and Ziki, who eventually fall in love despite their families being on opposing sides of the political divide.
The Raid 2 is a 2014 Indonesia action crime thriller by Gareth Evans. With Iko Uwais, Julie Estelle and Yayan Ruhian.
Cut for a US R rated release. Uncut in Europe. Banned in Malaysia
Malaysia: Banned
Banned by the Film Censorship Board of Malaysia in March 2014 due to the violent content.
Summary Notes
Only a short time after the first raid, Rama
goes undercover with the thugs of Jakarta and plans to bring down the syndicate and uncover the corruption within his police force
Rambo is a 2008 USA/Germany action war thriller by Sylvester Stallone. With Sylvester Stallone, Julie Benz and Matthew Marsden.
Burma: Banned
Banned for depicting Burmese soldiers as violent and sadistic. Vendors were threatened with seven years in prison for selling pirate copies. It didn't stop them though.
Summary Notes
In Thailand, John Rambo joins a group of mercenaries to venture into war-torn Burma, and rescue a group of Christian aid workers who were kidnapped by the ruthless local infantry unit.
Availability
US: The Extended Version is uncut and R Rated for:
Rana Plaza is a 2015 Bangladesh docu-drama by Nazrul Islam
Khan With Pori Moni and Symon Sadik.
Banned by the Bangladesh film censor, a decision upheld after an appeal.
Summary Review
The film is based on the tragic Rana Plaza collapse. The movie centers on
garment factory worker Reshma Begum's 17-day fight to survive under the debris of Rana Plaza, a building that collapsed on April 24, 2013.
The movie revealed a little too much about dire safety and working conditions in Bangladeshi
factories and was subject to a series of censorship hurdles.
The movie centers on garment factory worker Reshma Begum's 17-day fight to survive under the debris of Rana Plaza, a building that collapsed on April 24, 2013.
On July 17 2015, the High
Court got involved in the censorship process and directed the authorities concerned to delete some scenes from the film saying they were too graphic and may have detrimental effects on public sentiment.
Presumably with the cuts made, the film was
cleared by the Bangladesh Film Censor Board for a premiere on September 4. But the High Court again stepped in on August 24, slapped a six-month ban on its release following a plea by the Bangladesh National Garment Workers League chief Sirajul Islam. It
also stayed the censor board's clearance of the movie. The petitioner had claimed that the movie has frightening scenes and the names of security forces were used in it, which is a violation of the law.
Further legal hearings followed in
September, unbanning and re-banning the film, until the government stepped in November 3 and blocked the screening of the movie pending an appeal filed with the censor board.
And in the latest step in January 2016, the Appellate Committee of the board
refused to grant the film a certificate saying that the committee had found the movie not suitable for public viewing.
v Razzia
- 2017 France / Morocco / Belgium drama by Nabil Ayouch.
Razzia is a 2017 France / Morocco / Belgium drama by Nabil Ayouch. Starring Maryam Touzani, Arieh Worthalter and Amine Ennaji.
Egypt: Banned in May 2018
Egypt's film censors have banned Nabil Ayouch's film Razzia for supposedly encouraging revolution, especially
that the film tells the story of the marginalized poor in search of justice in Morocco.
The film censor specifically referred to events in the movie that recall the 2011 Egyptian revolution. The censor also reported concerns with the impact of
religion, as it strongly believe that projecting Razzia will inspire the sympathy and compassion of the audience, as the movie follows the daily life of a Jewish restaurateur.
Summary Notes
The
streets of Casablanca provide the centerpiece for five separate narratives that all collide into one.
The Rocket is a 2013 Australia drama by Kim Mordaunt. With
Sitthiphon Disamoe, Loungnam Kaosainam and Thep Phongam.
Laos : Banned from film festival showing in 2013
Laos censors have stopped the Lao-language film from screening because it deals with the touchy issue of relocating villagers for the construction of
hydro-electric dams in the country. The Lao government wants to transform the country into the battery of South-east Asia by exporting power to Thailand and Vietnam.
Summary Notes
A boy who is
believed to bring bad luck to everyone around him leads his family and two new friends through Laos to find a new home. After a calamity-filled journey through a land scarred by the legacy of war, to prove he's not bad luck he builds a giant rocket to
enter the most exciting and dangerous competition of the year: the Rocket Festival.
While a record 76 films are competing for the foreign-language Oscar, many Hollywood pundits consider The Rocket a solid chance, given the acclaim
it has received in the US, including three awards at the New York's Tribeca Film Festival, selection for Sundance's touring program and a warm reception at AFI Fest in Los Angeles.
v Rocketman
- 2019 UK / USA musical music biography by Dexter Fletcher.
Rocketman is a 2019 UK / USA musical music biography by Dexter
Fletcher. Starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Taron Egerton and Richard Madden.
There was a debate in the US about cuts for a PG-13 rating but the film
ended up as MPAA R rated. It was then 15 rated in the UK. The debate was reprised in Australia where the distributors appealed an MA15+ and won their case for a lesser M rating. Cut in Russia and Malaysia. Banned in Samoa.
Samoa: Banned by the film censor in June 2019
The Elton John biopic Rocketman was banned by Samoa's film censor last week due to its depiction of homosexuality onscreen. Film censor Leiataua Niuapu Faaui said:
We're concerned with the cultural values and
also the Christian beliefs here in Samoa -- it's not appropriate for public viewing.
Malaysia: Cut for gay sex
The Malaysian film censor has cut scenes which depicted depicted men kissing and
having sex with one another. Safaruddin Mohammad Ali, head of the Film Censorship Board explained:
We do not allow any scenes that promote LGBTQ in films that are for public viewing
During the Russian
premiere film goers noticed the 40s gay male sex scene between Elton John (Taron Egerton) and manager, John Reid (Richard Madden) was missing.
Film critic Anton Dolin saw the original version in Cannes and remarked the Russian
edit cut out scenes of kissing, sex and oral sex between men. This included a photo of Elton John and his husband David Furnish in the closing credits. It also didn't show scenes featuring drug and alcohol use.
Around five minutes
in total was missing from the Russian cut of Rocketman.
Maybe the 5 minutes is an exaggeration though.
Summary Notes
A musical fantasy about the fantastical human story of
Elton John's breakthrough years.
Rouh's Beauty is a 2014 Egypt drama by Sameh Abdelaziz. Starring Salah Abdallah, Nagwa Fouad and Mohamed Lotfy. Egypt: Banned in April 2014
Egypt's interim
Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahleb has banned a recently released Egyptian film, Halawet Rooh (Rouh's Beauty) . It will now be withdrawn from movie theatres and resubmitted to the country's censorship board.
The decision comes after the
for-adults-only film, released on 3 April, was hit with a wave of moral indignation accusing it of containing heavy sexual connotations that violate the Egyptian moral code .
The film, which revolves around Rooh, played by Egyptian/Lebanese
diva Haifa Wahbe, who becomes the object of desire of all the men in her working class neighbourhood while her husband is away.
A review published last week in the Egyptian daily Al-Masry Al-Youm took aim at Halawet Rooh under the title of How to
Make an Egyptian Porno , which accused the film of unsuccessfully posing as drama while it was only concerned with sexually arousing the audience .
Egypt: Unbanned in November 2014
Egypt's administrative
court has revoked a Cabinet decree banning the screening of a sexually provocative film starring Lebanese pop diva Haifa Wehbe.
Qatar: Under duress but not banned
Meanwhile the easily offended in Qatar have also
been campaigning against the film.
Supposedly, the indecent nature of the film has caused social media outrage due to the x-rated content, which was deemed inappropriate to the norms of the conservative Arab culture. The hashtag
#banbeautyofthesouldmovie was trending on Twitter in support of banning the film from screening in Qatari cinemas.
In the end the campaigners did not manage to get the film banned.
Summary Review: Romper Stomper meets This is England
This film was always meant to be controversial and is proving to be just that. Director Pavel Bardin has made a mockumentary film supposedly about working
class Russian skinheads.
It has been sold as Romper Stomper meets This is England quoting from Variety. However, it is not as good as either; it owes more in terms of style and presentation to the excellent
Man Bites Dog Man Bites Dog but fails to achieve the humour or poignancy that the Belgian classic managed.
