Censorship - where are we going? - Writers Forum

HarryG · 03-30-2008, 02:10 PM

This afternoon, while eating my Sunday dinner in front of the TV, I was watching a Spanish film channel (Cinestar), which presented an American film, about 10 years old, starring Robert de Niro, as an FBI agent, who had taken a fugitive into custody.

As I tucked into my roast chicken, the two men discussed having sex with animals. I was a bit gobsmacked when Robert de Niro suggested that it would be OK, as long as it was a good-looking chicken.

Over the Easter weekend, I watched an English soap (Eastenders) which contained a scene where a man was buried alive, in graphic detail with him scratching at the coffin and using his mobile phone to contact his daughter.

I'm the opposite of a prude, but wonder where we are going.

Necromortis · 03-30-2008, 02:58 PM

I fail to see any form of censorship in either of those examples. Is that your problem, that there's not enough censorship? Because from the title I was expecting a semi-rant against the evils of censoring opinions which may offend others.

As for what you're trying to say, I really couldn't care either way. The instant someone starts censoring something they find inappropriate, they're pushing their morals on others. I couldn't care less if there was a scene with a guy being buried alive, and if they censor that, they're infringing on two different rights: my right to see that scene (because unlike say...child porn, it's not widely recognized as disturbing...although I guess it would be if it was censored but...meh), and the actor's/screenwriter's right to portray it.

~Christian

BradW · 03-30-2008, 06:14 PM

Well both of your examples are on cable networks which means you had to pay to see them. And if they're on cable you're able to put a childlock on them if you desire. So I don't really see the point of any outrage about what you saw today no matter what time it was on. I assume you're not a child so none in your house saw it. If it bothers you so much, put the childlock on those channels. Parenting not only children but also adults is just a stupid idea. What happened to people raising their own children rather than leaving that to the government or censorship to do?

Katastrof · 03-30-2008, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryG

As I tucked into my roast chicken, the two men discussed having sex with animals. I was a bit gobsmacked when Robert de Niro suggested that it would be OK, as long as it was a good-looking chicken.

It's a joke!

Monkuta · 03-30-2008, 08:56 PM

I, personally, don't believe in censorship. If there's a point you need to express, and to do that, you need to swear, or show something obscene or gory, do it. If someone is doing it and you don't want to see it or read it, close the book or turn off the TV. I see censorship as a way to tell people what's right and wrong to say and look at, and no one should be able to decide that for you but yourself. The less censorship, the better.

Viva la libérer élocution
~Monkuta

HarryG · 03-31-2008, 08:01 AM

We already have censorship, in almost everything we experience, which I usually argue against, but reluctantly realise that we all need to be protected from the grosser elements stalking our midst.

The two mild examples I have quoted, sex with animals and torture, don't seem to offend the previous posters, perhaps a minute example of where we are going, and exactly what I was asking for, an opinion from others.

Thanks, any more?

Suzip · 03-31-2008, 08:24 AM

As long as its after the watershed, then I don't see a problem....btw Eastenders isn't a cable show....and anyone who would PAY to watch Eastenders needs therapy lol

HarryG · 03-31-2008, 09:14 AM

To clarify my own position: I too wasn't offended by either example, the chicken joke nearly caused me to fall off my chair, although I did briefly hope that the one I was cutting into hadn't met any unusual adventures on its way to the throat-cutting machine.

I wasn't alone in the room when Eastenders was showing, and had I attempted to take the remote control from the addict, I would have had a fight on my hands, and I had a full stomach at the time. The tortured man also deserved it because he had cheated on his wife with a young, albeit very sexy slapper.

50 years ago, our scriptwriters would never even have attempted to portray such scenes, jokingly or otherwise. Today, they don't even raise an eyebrow.

What next? The real chicken scene? It did the rounds as a banned snuff movie some years ago, starring a well-endowed black man and a good-looking chicken, honest. And torture? Well, we've already had Clockwork Orange, very tame nowadays, but what about some of the latest computer games? What about the decapitating videos from Iraq and Pakistan? What about the stuff on Youtube before the moderators step in?

As someone who is generally against censorship, I'll repeat my question – where are we going next?

Would someone like to predict what will be acceptable in as little as 10 years time?

lin · 03-31-2008, 09:22 AM

So censorship might entail:

1. You can eat things but not fuck them.

2. No cell phones allowed in coffins.

BradW · 03-31-2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryG

To clarify my own position: I too wasn't offended by either example, the chicken joke nearly caused me to fall off my chair, although I did briefly hope that the one I was cutting into hadn't met any unusual adventures on its way to the throat-cutting machine.

I wasn't alone in the room when Eastenders was showing, and had I attempted to take the remote control from the addict, I would have had a fight on my hands, and I had a full stomach at the time. The tortured man also deserved it because he had cheated on his wife with a young, albeit very sexy slapper.

50 years ago, our scriptwriters would never even have attempted to portray such scenes, jokingly or otherwise. Today, they don't even raise an eyebrow.

What next? The real chicken scene? It did the rounds as a banned snuff movie some years ago, starring a well-endowed black man and a good-looking chicken, honest. And torture? Well, we've already had Clockwork Orange, very tame nowadays, but what about some of the latest computer games? What about the decapitating videos from Iraq and Pakistan? What about the stuff on Youtube before the moderators step in?

As someone who is generally against censorship, I'll repeat my question – where are we going next?

Would someone like to predict what will be acceptable in as little as 10 years time?

For some reason you seem to be more upset about a man being buried alive than him cheating on his wife with a "sexy slapper".

Soaps probably aren't the best thing for a child to watch anyway. I recall watching Prisoner when I was a kid. My father never wanted me to watch it (it was set in a women's prison and had a character called Vinegar Tits and there was often someone slamming someone else's arm in the iron) but my mother always snuck me out when his back was turned so I could watch it.

It didn't scar me.

So I doubt seeing a man pretend to be buried alive in some inane soap would scar any kid who understood it was just acting.

HarryG · 03-31-2008, 11:18 AM

The Austrian film maker, Michael Haneke, has previously tested the American market with his films about torture, the last time about nine years ago. He has now returned to this market because he thinks censorship, or, the relaxing of it, will allow it. That's after eight years of a faith-led conservative administration. Here is the link:

Master manipulator | Features | guardian.co.uk Film

His venture has been sponsored by the biggest film producers in Hollywood, so they must agree with his conclusion. The film is called Funny Games and is released this Friday. I wonder how it will be received. My own guess is – without a whimper.

HarryG · 03-31-2008, 12:49 PM

Master manipulator | Features | guardian.co.uk Film

Does this work?

Obviously not, I give up.

Monkuta · 03-31-2008, 02:18 PM

Is it bad that the world is becoming more comfortable with more obscene topics and sights? It had to happen somehow, and television may be just how it chose to take its course.

HarryG · 03-31-2008, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkuta

Is it bad that the world is becoming more comfortable with more obscene topics and sights? It had to happen somehow, and television may be just how it chose to take its course.

As a writer, the topic of censorship has always been close to my heart. It has troubled me ever since I first put pen to paper. I've had hundreds of pages edited out by editors, and have often disagreed with their decisions, but have meekly agreed to get my works published.

Hence my desire for a decent debate on what is acceptable – today, and thanks for your reply.

*Angel · 04-01-2008, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryG

but reluctantly realise that we all need to be protected from the grosser elements stalking our midst.

censorship should be everyone's own personal responsibility.

personally i don't believe in censorship in any form. Disclaimers sure, those are great. but why should my entertainment life suffer, because a parent can't properly raise and monitor their kids, or because a particular group found something offensive.