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Some film ratings boards will ban films outright if they feel their content is too extreme for release. (These standards have gotten more liberal over time, but recent occurrences still happen.) This is a non-exhaustive list of films that have been refused a rating by the various film ratings boards.

This page deals with adult subject matter that may not be suitable for all readers.

BBFC[]

  • The Bunny Game - Rejected in 2011. The independent US horror feature, which follows Bunny, a drug addicted female sex worker who is abducted, raped and tortured by a male truck driver in the desert after hitching a ride from him was refused classification by the BBFC, with the BBFC commenting that: "The principal focus of The Bunny Game is the unremitting sexual and physical abuse of a helpless woman, as well as the sadistic and sexual pleasure the man derives from this. The emphasis on the woman's nudity tends to eroticise what is shown, while aspects of the work such as the lack of explanation of the events depicted, and the stylistic treatment, may encourage some viewers to enjoy and share in the man's callousness and the pleasure he takes in the woman's pain and humiliation." The director of the film, Adam Rehmeier, would later go on to respond to the BBFC ban on the film stating that: "I think the BBFC decision to ban the film is quite harsh. Of course, they will let remakes of films like I Spit on Your Grave and Last House on the Left pass uncut. Hollywood remakes, nonetheless, that capitalize on the notoriety of rape and revenge of the original films and do absolutely nothing to further the genre. I guess unremitting rape and callous behavior is okay with the BBFC as long as the victim exacts revenge on the tormentor, which, in reality, is never the case. The Bunny Game is a journey through several days in the life of a prostitute and is grounded in reality. It is grim and, as with most abductions, the ending is far from happy. The BBFC seems to think that we are eroticising the torture in the film, encouraging the viewer to join in on the abductor's pleasure. Did they even watch the film? Out of all the screenings we have had in the past year, not a single person has ever expressed that same thought." [in regards to the directors statements, it should be noted that although the 2009 remake of The Last House On The Left was passed uncut by the BBFC, both the original I Spit On Your Grave, as well as it's 2010 remake, and following 2013 sequel (I Spit On Your Grave 2) have each received and to date maintain compulsory cuts from the BBFC to remove harmful elements from scenes of sexual violence].
  • Hate Crime - Rejected in 2015. The US found-footage horror film, which follows a Jewish family whose household is broken into by Neo-Nazi intruders - who, over the course of the film, subject the family to strong acts of verbal, physical, sexual and psychological abuse was refused classification by the BBFC in March 2015, the BBFC commenting that: "HATE CRIME focuses on the terrorisation, mutilation, physical and sexual abuse and murder of the members of a Jewish family by the Neo Nazi thugs who invade their home. The physical and sexual abuse and violence are accompanied by constant strong verbal racist abuse. Little context is provided for the violence beyond an on screen statement at the end of the film that the two attackers who escaped were subsequently apprehended and that the one surviving family member was released from captivity. We have considered the attempt at the end to position the film as against hate-crime, but find it so unconvincing that it only makes matters worse." The director of the film, James Cullen Bressack, would later go on to comment on the BBFC's decision to ban the film remarking that: "I am honoured to know that my mind is officially too twisted for the UK" "I find it unbelievable that a film that shows little to no on screen violence and no nudity was actually banned. it just shows the power of what is implied and peoples imagination; and is a testament to the fact that the same crimes that happen in the world are truly horrifying."
  • The Human Centipede II (Full Sequence) - Rejected in 2011. The Netherlands / UK horror sequel follows Martin, an obsessed fan of the original Human Centipede film who abducts various members of the general public in order to create his own 'human centipede'. In June 2011, the BBFC announced that the film had been refused classification, remarking in their rejection explanation of the film that: "Unlike the first HUMAN CENTIPEDE" [which was passed uncut by the BBFC] "this work presents graphic images of sexual violence, forced defecation and mutilation and the viewer is invited to experience the event from the perspective of the central character. The central focus of THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE 2 (FULL SEQUENCE) is the sexual arousal of this character at the idea and later the spectacle of the total degradation, humiliation, mutilation, torture, rape and murder of his naked victims. There is little attempt to portray any of the victims in the film as anything other than objects to be brutalised and degraded for the amusement and sexual arousal of the main character and for the pleasure of the viewer. There is a strong and sustained focus throughout the work on the link between sexual arousal and sexual violence and a clear association between non-consensual pain and sexual pleasure." The BBFC also concluded at this time that "as the unacceptable material featured throughout, cutting was not a viable option". On June 13th 2011, the films UK distributors (Eureka Entertainment and Bounty Films) issued a press release about the decision made by the BBFC to ban the film stating that: "Within the last week, the BBFC announced that it had rejected and was unable to classify for release on DVD, The Human Centipede II (Full Sequence). Bounty Films, and its UK distribution partner Eureka Entertainment Ltd., are disappointed by the decision of the BBFC to deny the film a classification certificate. While both companies respect the authority of the board, we strongly disagree with their decision. In support of their decision, the BBFC issued a press release that gave an unprecedented level of detail regarding certain scenes contained within the film. Whilst it appears customary for the BBFC to issue press releases in support of its decision making, the level of detail provided therein does seem inconsistent with previous releases where the statements have been more concise. We are concerned this may be prejudicial to our forthcoming appeal. The Human Centipede II (Full Sequence) is adult entertainment for fans of horror films. If a film of this nature does not seek to push boundaries, to challenge people and their value systems or to shock, then it is not horror. The subject matter of this film is in line with not only the genre, but other challenging entertainment choices for adult consumers. We respect those who have different opinions about both the film and the genre, and whose opinions may differ to our own, but we hope that the opinions of the adults for whom this product is intended will also be considered. The adult consumers who would watch this film fully understand that it is fictional entertainment and nothing more. Classifying and rating product allows the public to make an informed choice about the art and media they wish to consume. Censoring or preventing the public from obtaining material that has not been proven to be harmful or obscene, is indefensible in principle and is often counterproductive in practice. Through their chosen course of action, the BBFC have ensured that the awareness of this film is now greater than it would otherwise have been. Having taken advice on these matters, and in accordance with BBFC guidelines, we will be submitting our appeal to the Video Appeals Committee in due course." The director of the film, Tom Six would also comment on the BBFC's decision to ban the film remarking that: "The BBFC helped to generate an enormous amount of publicity for my film" "It is incredible when everyone is talking about your movie." "But then I became really angry. How can it be that adults are not allowed to choose whether or not to see a film? It really felt like Britain was behaving like China. This kind of censorship is ridiculous". During preparations for an appeal against the rejection of the film, the distributors decided to draw up and submitted to the BBFC, a list of proposed cuts which could be made to the film in order to produce a classifiable version. After examination of these proposed cuts, the BBFC concluded that cuts could indeed be made to the film, but proposed a more extensive cuts list. The distributor agreed to these proposed BBFC cuts and withdrew their appeal against the ban. Following this, the film was approved for classification by the BBFC at their highest commercial classification level (18) on October 6th 2011 for 'very strong bloody violence and gore, and sexual violence', following 32 individual cuts made across 8 separate sequences, totalling 2 minutes and 37 seconds in length. In response to this, Ian Sadler, Sales Director for Eureka Entertainment, Bounty Films' UK distributor would go on to state that: "We are really pleased that after nearly 4 months of detailed discussion and debate, we have been able to reach an agreement with the BBFC and to produce a very viable cut of the film which will both excite and challenge its fans. Naturally we have a slight disappointment that we have had to make cuts, but we feel that the storyline has not been compromised and the level of horror has been sustained". Quotes from the BBFC would go on to be used in promotional material for the film (such as the official trailer, as well as an Australian marketing campaign for the film) and, in the third and final instalment of the franchise (The Human Centipede III (Final Sequence), which was passed uncut by the BBFC) a prisoner watching The Human Centipede II (Full Sequence) is seen to state that "these films risk causing harm, they should be banned", seemingly in reference to the BBFC. To date, the uncut version of The Human Centipede II (Full Sequence) remains Rejected by the BBFC. In the Netherlands, The Human Centipede II (Full Sequence) was passed uncut by NICAM with a 16 classification (in line with the first film).
  • Lost in The Hood - Rejected in 2010. The US sex work, which depicts various scenarios in which a group of 'thugs' pick out, abduct and rape various men who have become 'lost in the hood' was refused classification from the BBFC in 2010 due to the portrayal of sexual violence in an eroticised and pornographic context. The BBFC commented regarding that: "In each scenario, we see the predatory male characters choose a victim who appears to have become 'lost in the hood' (ie a bad neighbourhood in the United States). They then abduct their chosen victim and force him to engage in sexual acts with them against his will. Each scene places a strong emphasis on the non consensual nature of the sex, with the victims pleading to be released, showing discomfort and making unsuccessful attempts to escape. Similarly, the perpetrators display a high level of physical and verbal aggression. By presenting the spectacle of sexual violence within the context of an explicit sex work, whose primary intention is to sexually arouse the viewer, Lost in the Hood has the effect of eroticising and endorsing sexual violence in a potentially harmful fashion."
  • Spy of Darkness - Banned due to fetishised sexual violence. Other anime films in the Darkness series were passed 18 with cuts.
  • Sweet Movie - Banned due to its very strong and bizarre depictions of sexual behaviour, particularly one scene involving children and another involving urination.

ACB (Australia)[]

  • Banned from Television - Banned due to its focus on real violence/injury as entertainment.
  • Class of Nuke 'Em High - Initially banned due to its explicit violence; rated R18+ on appeal.
  • Don't Answer the Phone - Banned on three different submissions due to high impact gratuitous/sexual violence.
  • Faces of Death - Initially banned due to its high impact violence and real death scenes. Unbanned and rated R18+ in 2007.
  • Faces of Death 2 - Banned due to "gratuitous depictions of violence to humans and animals" and "detailed depictions of deceased persons that are offensive and exploitative".
  • The Gore Gore Girls - Banned due to depictions of violence and sexual violence of a very high impact.
  • A Serbian Film - Banned due to sexual violence of a very high impact.
  • Slaughtered Vomit Dolls - An import DVD was seized by Australian customs in 2006 due to "revolting or abhorrent phenomena".
  • Twin Games - Banned due to high impact gratuitous scenes of sexual activity.

OFLC (New Zealand)[]

Objectionable publications are forbidden from being sold and distributed anywhere in New Zealand. It is also illegal to possess such material.

  • August Underground - Banned due to the "promotion and supporting of sexual violence, torture, extreme cruelty and the use of excrement in association with degrading and dehumanizing contact."
  • Fritz the Cat - Banned from 1973 to 1981. Classified R18 in 1981, possibly cut (the running time for the 1981 classification is seven minutes shorter then all the others). Released uncut with an R18 on VHS and DVD. (There were no such classification troubles in Australia, where every submission was passed R18+ uncut.)
  • Heavy Traffic - Banned in 1974; the decision was upheld on review. Passed R18+ uncut in Australia.
  • Hostel: Part II - Initially banned due to a scene of extreme violence combined with sexual gratification. A cut version was passed R18 on DVD. Passed R18+ uncut in Australia.
  • Landmine Goes Click - Banned due to graphic depictions of sexual violence and depictions of a young girl in sexual situations. Passed MA15+ uncut in Australia.
  • Megan is Missing - Banned due to its explicit depictions of sexuality and sexual violence involving young teenagers. Passed MA15+ uncut in Australia.
  • A Serbian Film - Initially banned before rerated for R18.

Malaysia[]

  • Beauty and the Beast (2017) - Originally banned for a homosexual scene. Later re-rated P13 with the gay scene intact.
  • The Wolf of Wall Street - Banned due to very strong sexuality and persistent illicit drug use.
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