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The Film and Publication Review Board has overturned the decision of the Film and Publication Board to prevent the public distribution of the 1979 exploitation film Cannibal Holocaust. The film which was originally given an "XX" rating by the Board a few weeks ago, will be released on video with an age restriction of 18 and consumer information regarding sex (S) and violence (V).

The majority of examiners who were involved in the original classification agreed to an "XX" rating based on extreme images of violent death and mutilation (humans and animals), scenes of explicit sexual penetration and nudity, and scenes of rape of a voyeuristic intent. The committee classified the film "XX" based on Schedule 6 of the Films and Publications Act, which states that "A film shall be classified as XX if, judged within context, it contains a scene or scenes, simulated or real, of any of the following:. explicit sexual conduct which degrades a person and which constitutes incitement to cause harm; or the explicit infliction of extreme violence or the explicit effects of extreme violence which constitutes incitement to cause harm".

The Review Board hearing, which was presided over by acting Review Board Chairperson Advocate Ronald Lessick, provided an opportunity for the South African distributor of the movie, Global Video, to present an in-depth argument against the "XX" decision.

During the hearing the distributor's attorney, Ms J Nadler-Visser, presented several arguments in defence of the film. She argued that both the context and the style of the film divorce it from the everyday reality of most South Africans. She also compared the violent and sexual content of the film to numerous films that are available in the country and have been screened on national television.

Ms Nadler-Visser emphasised that the scenes which had been highlighted as problematic by the original classification committee did not "constitute incitement to cause harm." She further argued that these scenes are not particularly degrading in terms of gender.

In her concluding remarks Ms Nadler-Visser referred to "the liberating influence of the Bill of Rights contained in our constitution", arguing that the individual's freedom of choice "extends to the right to choose your entertainment." She urged the Review Board to consider that "selecting a movie is clearly a personal choice and someone who is averse to viewing a film which may contain offensive scenes, will exercise his right not to view such a film."

The Review Board felt that the film is clearly outdated, low budget production with poor acting evident throughout and as a result is unlikely to be of mass appeal. The Review Board argued that although there are several disturbing and contentious scenes, these are not graphic in detail, and are mostly fleeting and unclear and therefore do not fall within the parameters of an XX classification.

According to the Review Board, the scenes of "violent sexual conduct" were found to be degrading, but not explicit nor graphic in detail. The majority of Review Board members felt that, given the context of the film, these scenes of violent sexual conduct did not constitute incitement to cause harm.

It was further felt that the scenes depicting the infliction of extreme violence were neither explicit nor graphic in detail and therefore did not constitute incitement to cause harm.

Lessick acknowledged that this film is not suitable for animal lovers or sensitive viewers.

Contact: Keith Bain (021) 465-6518 or 082-336-7912

Issued by: Film and Publication Board, 30 May 2001