The controversial films KEN PARK and IRREVERSIBLE.

The controversial films KEN PARK and IRREVERSIBLE.....

PRESS RELEASE

Beck's Incredible Film Fest 2003

The controversial films KEN PARK and IRREVERSIBLE have both been passed by the Office of Film and Literature Classification. The films had already been targeted by the Society for the Promotion of Community Standards before the results were announced, with a spokesperson saying "SPCS will appeal the film's ratings no matter what decision the OFLC reach".

KEN PARK was given a R18 (contains graphic violence, explicit sex scenes and content that may disturb). The film was co-directed by Larry Clark whose previously SPCS targeted film BULLY is finally being released into cinemas this week after an entire year of appeals and injunctions. Due to the attention provided by SPCS, the film (like BAISE MOI) will now reach a much wider audience.

The rating for KEN PARK has been out since early April with no sign of any appeal by SPCS, even though they've known about the film playing in this years festival for months now. A late appeal for an injunction to halt festival screenings would appear very vexatious at this stage.

IRREVERSIBLE was the scandal of Cannes last year and will be shown only once in Auckland and Wellington. The film has been invited and screened at the most prestigious film festivals in the world (Berlin, Rotterdam, Sundance) and has also recently played in Australia and the UK uncut. The film has been rated R18 (contains brutal sexual violence, graphic violence and sex scenes).

Both films have been under extensive scrutiny from the Office of Film and Literature Classification. Focus groups and a cross section of the community were invited to view the films. Their feedback and responses were taken into account before the final decision was reached.

The Beck's Incredible Film Fest starts Auckland on May 29th and Wellington on June 12.

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