17 NOVEMBER

NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

4921

Chief Censor's Decisions:

Pursuant to section 11 of the Films Act 1983, the following decisions have been made with regard to the granting of wavers from the requirements relating to examination and exemption from examination for the above period.

go12978

Video Recordings Act 1987

Video Recordings Board of Review

Inches

1. A review was sought of the Video Recordings Authority's classification of the video Inches by the Society for the Promotion of Community Standards (the applicant) pursuant to section 36 of the Video Recordings Act 1987 (the Act).

2. The Video Recordings Board of Review (the board) has re-examined the video in accordance with section 48 of the Act. The board reached its decision without having to consult with the applicant or the authority.

3. The video tells the story of what Doug, the central character of the video film, does following the breakdown of his 3-year old homosexual relationship with Lee. He seeks solace in a casual encounter with a hitchhiker, a visit to the "Bull Pen" (a night club for homosexual males), and in an interlude with Tony the photographer. Tony's exhibition of photographs provocatively named Inches gives title to the film.

4. A large part of the video concentrates visually on male genitalia and anal areas. The dialogue contains some coarse language and is difficult to hear. None of it is memorable. The plot of the video is a thin disguise for the portrayal of explicit sexual activities of homosexual males. The film begins with a prolonged masturbation sequence by Doug on the bed, while Lee his partner masturbates in the shower. It progresses from masturbation to ejaculation, to fellatio, anal exploration and licking and anal intercourse to a scene in the night club where one man urinates on another's naked body. The scenes are detailed and prolonged. Some are filmed as if they are part of Doug's dreams or nightmares where Lee is portrayed as sexually servicing a group. Others portray in detail sexual activities between pairs. The scene in the night club which is called the "Bull Pen" portrays anonymous multiple and random sexual activity.

   The film is entirely homosexual. No woman is seen during its running. Only one female voice is briefly heard in a background song.

5. The board considers that:
   (a) The dominant effect of the video is the depiction of homosexual sexual activities for private viewing by homosexual males.
   (b) The video recording has little or no artistic, social or cultural merit. It attempts to comment upon the desirability of long-term loving relationships between pairs of homosexual males in contrast to the undesirability of short term fleeting encounters.
   (c) The video recording is likely to be viewed by adult homosexual males and adult heterosexuals who are curious about homosexual activities.
   (d) The board finds that the video contains no cruelty, horror, violence or crime. The video does not denigrate any class of persons. The explicit sexual acts displayed are between consenting adults. There are caring sequences and an underlying concern is expressed to establish caring relationships.
   (e) The particular purpose for which the video is to be used was agreed to by the board to be entertainment.

6. The board considers that because sexual preference and orientation is established earlier in life the video would not damage the sexuality of anyone if it was labelled R 18. It was thought then it ought to be able to be assumed that adults will regard much of the film as alien.

   However, the board expresses great concern over two matters:
   (i) The scenes of explicit sexual activity shown in the video are seen as unsafe by today's standards. There is a rising public awareness of the dangers of indulging in sexual intercourse with more than one partner without taking prophylactic measures. The visual portrayal of acts which are part of people's life-style may not be indecent, but the problem of sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS adds a whole new dimension.

   The board is aware that prophylactics are freely available to adults. If videos such as Inches which show sexually explicit scenes are to be available for adult viewing then it ought to be assumed that adults will take proper precautions. Despite this, the board sees value in some sort of health warning being issued with the video. It has recently reviewed a video which began with a promotion for safe sex and which recommended that condoms be used. The board is aware that neither it nor the authority has the power to make additions to videos by issuing health warnings. The board sees this as a deficiency in the Act which should be remedied.

   (ii) If the video Inches can be seen to have any social message at all the message is about permanent caring relationships. The bar scene in the "Bull Pen" negates the message. The scene portrays multiple anonymous random sexual encounters in a semi-public place. No precautions are taken against disease. No adverse comment is made about the deviant and dangerous practices that are taking place. The board found the scenes in the "Bull Pen" to be indecent.

   If certain cuts were made in the bar scene sequence the board unanimously agrees that it would classify the video to be indecent in the hands of persons under the age of 18.