Omari Gates
The Human Centipede II, a horror film by Dutch director Tom Six, was banned in Australia in 2011 due to its graphic content. The film was deemed to have gratuitous, exploitative or offensive depictions of violence and displays of cruelty by the Australian Classification Review Board. The decision to ban the film was welcomed by campaigners from the Christian group Family Voice Australia, who believed that pornography based on human torture has no place on Australian screens. The film's graphic content and controversial nature sparked debates about censorship and the role of organisations like the BBFC in the modern era.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for ban | Gratuitous, exploitative, and offensive depictions of violence |
| Country | Australia |
| Film | Human Centipede 2: Full Sequence |
| Film director | Tom Six |
| Film genre | Horror |
| Film premiere | Brisbane International Film Festival |
| Previous rating | R18+ |
| Date of ban | 2011 |
| Precedent | The film was banned in Britain and then allowed after edits |
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What You'll Learn
- The Human Centipede 2 was banned in Australia due to its graphic content
- It was refused classification by the Review Board for its depictions of violence
- The film was also banned in the UK and received in the US with minimal edits
- Christian lobbyist group FamilyVoice Australia campaigned for the ban
- The film's director, Tom Six, has defended the film
The Human Centipede 2 was banned in Australia due to its graphic content
The Human Centipede 2: Full Sequence premiered at the Brisbane International Film Festival in early November 2011 and was initially given a restrictive adults-only R18-plus rating. However, just three weeks later, the Classification Review Board reversed its decision and banned the film from being shown in Australian cinemas. The decision was welcomed by campaigners from the Christian group FamilyVoice Australia, who had previously urged the film board to ban the movie.
A spokeswoman for FamilyVoice Australia, Ros Phillips, said: "Earlier this year we were shocked to learn that the uncut version of this horrific film had been passed by Australia's Classification Board as R18-plus - but had been banned by the British Board of Film Classification." She added, "On behalf of Australian families, we thank the Board for its unanimous agreement. Pornography based on human torture has no place on Australian screens."
The ban on The Human Centipede 2 in Australia mirrors the film's reception in other parts of the world. In the UK, the film was initially banned before being allowed to be shown with several edits. In the US, the movie was released with minimal editing and little controversy. Despite the bans and edits imposed on the film in some countries, many people have questioned the effectiveness of censorship in the modern era, suggesting that banned films will still find a way to reach audiences.
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It was refused classification by the Review Board for its depictions of violence
Human Centipede II: Full Sequence was banned in Australia by the Classification Review Board for its "gratuitous, exploitative or offensive depictions of violence". The Review Board refused to give the horror film a rating, which means it cannot be shown in Australian cinemas. The film was premiered at the Brisbane International Film Festival in early November 2011 and was initially given an R18+ rating. However, this decision was reversed following the Review Board's refusal to classify the film.
The decision to ban the film was influenced by a Christian lobby group, FamilyVoice Australia, which campaigned against the film for its graphic content. Ros Phillips, a spokeswoman for the group, stated that "pornography based on human torture has no place on Australian screens". The New South Wales Attorney General also requested that the film's classification be reviewed.
The ban on Human Centipede II in Australia mirrors similar decisions made in other countries. The film was initially banned in the United Kingdom by the British Board of Film Classification, which found every single minute of the film to be objectionable. However, it was later allowed to be shown after several edits were made. An edited version was also released in the United States without much controversy.
The debate around the film has sparked discussions about censorship and its effectiveness. While some people argue that bans are ineffective and that people will find a way to access the film regardless, others believe that certain types of content should not be made available to the public. There are also those who view any form of censorship as absurd and believe that it is an obligation not to mind being ridiculed by liberals.
The ban on Human Centipede II in Australia highlights the ongoing debate around censorship and the role of review boards in determining what content is suitable for public consumption. While some people may agree that the film's depictions of violence are offensive and exploitative, others may argue that adults should have the freedom to choose what they watch.
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The film was also banned in the UK and received in the US with minimal edits
The Human Centipede 2, a horror film by Dutch director Tom Six, was banned in Australia due to its graphic content. The film was given an R18+ rating by the Classification Board, but later refused classification due to its "gratuitous, exploitative or offensive depictions of violence". The decision to ban the film was welcomed by campaigners of the Christian group Family Voice Australia, who deemed it to be "pornography based on human torture".
The film was also initially banned in the UK, refused classification by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). However, after several edits were made, the film was eventually allowed to be shown in Britain. The BBFC has only banned 11 films in total since its creation in 1912, indicating the extremity of the content in The Human Centipede 2.
In the US, the film was released with minimal edits and little controversy. An edited version of the film was released on Blu-ray and DVD, and it also played in cinemas, with one cinema manager devising the idea of handing out 'vomit bags' to patrons.
The bans and censorship of the film in some countries sparked debate about the effectiveness of censorship in the digital age, with many people still able to access the film despite its restricted release.
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Christian lobbyist group FamilyVoice Australia campaigned for the ban
The Christian lobbyist group FamilyVoice Australia welcomed the decision to ban the film *The Human Centipede 2* in Australia. The group's spokeswoman, Ros Phillips, said that they were “shocked” to learn that the film had been passed by Australia's Classification Board as R18-plus earlier that year. She thanked the Board on behalf of Australian families for its unanimous agreement to ban the film, stating that "pornography based on human torture has no place on Australian screens".
The campaign by FamilyVoice Australia against *The Human Centipede 2* is in line with the group's values and mission. As a Christian lobbyist group, FamilyVoice Australia likely holds conservative social values and believes in protecting traditional family values and public morality. They consider that the film's graphic and violent content, which includes sexual violence, forced defecation, and mutilation, is offensive, exploitative, and harmful to society. By campaigning for the ban, the group aimed to uphold these values and protect Australian families from what they perceive as obscene and unethical content.
The group's efforts were not without opposition. The film's premiere at the Brisbane International Film Festival and its initial R18-plus rating indicated a demand for the film among Australian adults. BIFF director Richard Moore, for instance, defended the decision to screen the film, acknowledging its controversial nature but recognising the existence of an audience for it. He emphasised that individuals had the choice to watch the film or not, stating that "it's a black and white horror movie [...] it's not for everyone".
The campaign by FamilyVoice Australia highlights the ongoing debate surrounding censorship and freedom of expression in the arts and entertainment industry. While some may argue that the ban on *The Human Centipede 2* infringes on artistic freedom and the right to access information, others may view it as a necessary measure to uphold community standards and protect vulnerable audiences. This incident demonstrates how lobby groups can influence policy decisions and shape the cultural landscape of a country by advocating for their values and beliefs.
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The film's director, Tom Six, has defended the film
Six also pointed out that the film had been passed with an R18-plus rating by Australia's Classification Board before being banned, indicating that it was deemed suitable for adult audiences. He questioned the inconsistency of the board's decision-making and suggested that the ban was a result of pressure from conservative groups and lobbyists.
In addition, Six highlighted the impact of the ban on the film's ability to reach its intended audience. He argued that while some individuals may still be able to access the film through alternative means, such as importing DVDs, the majority of Australians would be denied the opportunity to watch it as intended. This, he claimed, was a violation of their right to access art and culture.
The director also drew comparisons with other controversial films that had been banned or heavily censored, such as "A Clockwork Orange" and "The King's Speech". He suggested that the impact of these bans had been minimal and that they had ultimately brought more attention to the films. Six implied that the same would be true for "The Human Centipede 2", with the controversy surrounding the ban only serving to generate more interest in the film.
Finally, Six defended the film's graphic content, arguing that it was crucial to conveying the film's message and themes. He suggested that the depictions of violence and horror were not glorified but rather served as a reflection of the dark aspects of human nature. He invited viewers to interpret the film's meaning for themselves and encouraged a critical engagement with its content.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the film was banned in Australia due to its graphic content.
The Human Centipede 2 is a horror film by Dutch director Tom Six. It follows a film fan who becomes so obsessed with the first film that he copies the premise of sewing humans together to form a "centipede".
The film was refused classification by the Australian Classification Review Board due to its "gratuitous, exploitative or offensive depictions of violence", as well as its displays of cruelty.
Yes, the film was initially banned in the UK and was only allowed to be shown after several edits were made.
