Somehow I'm surprised that this didn't happen sooner, seeing as these types of movies aren't exactly a new trend. Japan has been churning out plenty of gory films over the years that are utterly devoid of plot, marketed on an implied notion of social commentary. To some extent, a commentary on the deeply-rooted sexual repression the country suffers is needed, but there is a fine line between commentary and exploitation that Japanese film makers, such as Takashi Miike, often cross with little regard to the public. That said, what's considered socially acceptable in Japan isn't necessarily acceptable everywhere else--such is the case here.

Britain's film board, who are responsible for rating their countries potential DVD releases, singled out the recent Japanese film Gurotesuku (or Grotesque, as it were to be named) last Wednesday. Claiming the violence was so extreme, it could actually cause psychological harm to audiences, the board refused to pass a rating for the DVD, subsequently banning the film from being legally sold in Britain.

According to the board, the film itself lacks narrative, mostly featuring the sexual abuse and torture of the two main characters. This doesn't surprise me, considering the nature of these films, but they make it sound as if there is absolutely no plot, which I doubt--then again, I don't intend to watch it myself just to find out. Apparently the film has some amputation, eye-gouging, castration and even evisceration, though none of this sounds like anything you wouldn't already find in movies like Saw or Hostel. Speaking of which, shouldn't someone let them know that those movies are just about as bad? I mean, I get that there might be an ounce or two more of character development, but you're going to ban this and let those ones slide? Maybe it's just me, but that's a bit inconsistent.

[via japantoday]