"Dangerous Pictures Act"...?

[Creepshow]

Is it true that commencing Jan 2009, people will be prosecuted, put in prison and even placed on the Sex Offender's Register simply for owning horror films such as I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE and THE HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK uncut and imported from abroad?

The "Dangerous Pictures Act" or something?

This really worries me as a big horror/gore fan.

What, are we all meant to burn our collections or something? Ridiculous!!

[Angel]

I think everyone is waiting to see exactly what titles will fall foul of this new law. We'll just have to see. As far as I know though it will only apply to porn titles that include scenes of extreme violence.

I'd hate to see titles like I Spit and House/Ege of the Park being included on the list. These films would eventually see an uncut release here but if they are then the BBFC would have to continue cutting them whether they wanted to or not, which would be ridiculous.

It will be interesting to see if it does lead to stricter censorship, which would be a shame because the BBFC are clearly getting more liberal by the day.

We won't have long to find out.

[vipco]

As far as I know its aimed at Extreme Porn and violent simulated rape in porn films for titilation, but the wording of the bill could see films like ISOYG etc fall foul of the new law.
I dont think it was aimed at films like Spit etc, more at films like Forced Entry and the even more extreme porn of that style available via the internet.

[Angel]

Yeah I can see Forced Entry falling foul of this law and also Texas Vibrator Massacre and The Wrong Way. Films that depict sexual violence in a pornographically violent way and whose purpose is sexual arousal. Although these films would probably be in breach of the OPA anyway.

Films that have already been passed by the BBFC will be ok.

Actually I'm curious to see what's going to happen. The BBFC themselves seem a little concerned about this particular law.

[vipco]

Its definetly one to follow with interest Angel.
And to be honest, unless they amend the wording, quite a lot of films could be effected by it.

Personally I think its aimed at the buyers of Extreme Porn over the internet, as the sellers are currently untouchable under UK law.

[Halloween_22]

Originally Posted by Angel

Actually I'm curious to see what's going to happen. The BBFC themselves seem a little concerned about this particular law.

They're not the only ones.
I can't believe in this day and age a law like this is able to get passed, it's an absolute outrage. Obviously it's yet to be seen what kind of effect it'll have but the idea of it is ridiculous. It is targeted at hardcore porn but I wouldn't be surprised if it crossed over into certain areas of horror i.e. rape/ revenge, the newly dubbed 'torture porn' etc.
The fact that the law targets things which 'appear' to show sexual humiliation, violence etc. for titilation purposes makes it quite dangerous as it dosen't necessarily exclude cases of safe consenual acts such as BDSM and the like carried out by like minded consenting adults. Im not into anything like that myself but surely you cant deny someone their right to engage in such things if it's their personal cup of tea.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

[Daemonia]

Originally Posted by Angel

Yeah I can see Forced Entry falling foul of this law and also Texas Vibrator Massacre and The Wrong Way.

The Texas Vibrator Massacre was recently rejected outright for classification by the BBFC - so this is already foul of the law in that respect.

As for this new Act - I guess we'll just have to wait and see how it translates into real terms and how the police and law courts will implement it. The wording of the Act is far too vague and that's the real heart of the problem - it's too open to interpretation.

[Halloween_22]

Originally Posted by Daemonia

The wording of the Act is far too vague and that's the real heart of the problem - it's too open to interpretation.

I agree. It needs solid guidelines to define what it is exactly it's trying to target. Without these it's worrying to think what may fall foul of it once it comes in in January.

[vipco]

Totally agree about the vagness of this law , problem is though any individual or group which stands up to fight for amendments will be labled ' violent perverts' or 'sick' by the tabloids and gutter press.

I imagine this has already held back respectable , well informed people / group's from speaking against this law and the very wide net it casts due to its vagness and poor wording.

[siccoyote]

We need a dangerous act act.