“A Serbian Film” (2010)
What’s It About? A retired porn star, desperate for cash to support his young boy and wife, is brought back for one last f-k fest on film. But what sinister things does the director have in mind for him? In short, some really, really, really upsetting shit.
Why Did It Get The Rating? Where to start? A woman has her head chopped off midway through intercourse (and that’s just the beginning of the bad stuff); a newborn baby is raped on screen (seriously, this actually happens); death by skull f–king, a man rapes a young boy on screen. The list goes on. And on. And on. It’s been censored and/or banned in several countries. Netflix refuses to carry it.
Did It Deserve Its NC-17? Abso-f–kin-lutely! This writer has a very strong stomach for just about anything on film (read: desensitized as hell), but “A Serbian Film” is the test for even the most gore-houndish of movie lovers. It’s upsetting, disgusting and just so very wrong. If you watch it, we recommend a long cold shower. In short, it’s a day ruiner.
How Good Is It? Unfortunately, all of it is in service of a pretty weak and pretentious film, the kind of project even an angry teenager desperate to shock would think twice about putting out in the world. We don’t believe in censorship, nor do we think artists should compromise their vision, but this one just feels pointless and insane for no greater purpose. [D]
“Orgazmo” (1997)
What’s It About? A young Mormon missionary (Trey Parker), spreading the word of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in hedonistic Los Angeles, becomes an unlikely porn star known as Orgazmo in order to pay for his expensive Mormon Temple wedding (don’t worry, he uses a Stunt Cock).
Why Did It Get The Rating? The film is set almost entirely on a porn set, there’s a lot of raunchy, raunchy talk about various porno stunts like DVDA (Double Anal Double Vaginal), Ron Jeremy plays a character known as Jizzmaster Zero, Orgazmo’s sidekick is named Choda Boy and wears a dildo on his head. It seems that frank and ultimately silly (Parker wears a hot pink onesie with a giant silver codpiece) portrayals of the porn world was just too much for the MPAA in 1997. In the initial ruling, they didn’t say what needed to be cut, but various online comparisons of the NC-17 and R versions note shortened shots during the scenes on the porn set, and there are also a few cuts for violence and language (they changed line to take out “dicks,” yes, really).
Did It Deserve Its NC-17? Eh, maybe? Kids under 17 probably shouldn’t watch this, but nowadays, most have them have seen enough of the real stuff online, that maybe they should all be treated to a dose of this decidedly unsexy yet hilarious parody. The cuts seem so slight between the two versions that it seems like a case of MPAA prudishness meeting the Parker/Stone signature aesthetic, just before “South Park” blew up. To be honest, the R-Rated version of this movie was a high school favorite of this writer (KW).
How Good Is It? Just because we liked it in high school doesn’t mean it’s actually “good.” Parker pulls triple duty as writer/director/star and the film does showcase his writing chops (writing partner Matt Stone plays a PA who doesn’t wanna sound like a queer or nothin’, but thinks Depeche Mode is a sweet band), which is stupidly funny, deceptively genius, and eminently quotable. “Orgazmo” is a sort of a loving, dumb send up of 90s-style porn, but it’s also a pretty smart skewering of cultural hypocrisy, religion, materialism, homophobia, etc. [B-]
Because we’re freaks for symmetry, we’ve only listed seventeen NC-17 films here, but of course there are a couple hundred others we could have chosen to assess. A few notable ones that just missed the cut were Almodovar’s “Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!” “Young Adam,” starring the rarely shy Ewan MacGregor, the still astonishingly violent and disturbing “Man Bites Dog,” Ken Russell’s self-explanatory “Whore,” and the first-ever official NC-17 title, “Henry & June.” It’s an interesting and broad topic, and we’re all adults here, so why not tell us your NC-17 tales in the comments below: why is it still such a stigma where in other countries the equivalent rating is not? What’s your favorite film with the cert, what’s the one you think least deserved it and which were the ones you emerged from thinking “really? That was NC-17?” Chime in below. —Drew Taylor, Erik McClanahan, Jessica Kiang, Rodrigo Perez, Katie Walsh, Diana Drumm.
Yes. Yes. No. Yes. No. No. Yes. No. Yes. No. Yes. No. Yes. Yes. Yes. No. No.
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Yes. Yes. No. Yes. No. No. Yes. No. Yes. No. Yes. No. Yes. Yes. Yes. No. No.
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POISON does have a quick shot of a penis, actually, and more controversially for the ratings board, it's erect.
POISON does have a quick shot of a penis, actually, and more controversially for the ratings board, it's erect.
Actually I *would* mistake "Lust, Caution" as top-tier Ang Lee. Only it's not a mistake. Westerners rarely ever connect with this haunting picture.
Actually I *would* mistake "Lust, Caution" as top-tier Ang Lee. Only it's not a mistake. Westerners rarely ever connect with this haunting picture.
Actually I *would* mistake "Lust, Caution" as top-tier Ang Lee. Only it's not a mistake. Westerners rarely ever connect with this haunting picture.
What about Caligula?
What about Caligula?
No mention of Y Tu Mama Tambien?
No mention of Y Tu Mama Tambien?
No mention of Y Tu Mama Tambien?
Maybe there needs to be a new classification, for example – MAWC, 'Material for Adults Without Children'. Or, how about – AGTEWDM, 'Adult Graduates of a Tertiary Education Without Dependent Minors'?
Maybe there needs to be a new classification, for example – MAWC, 'Material for Adults Without Children'. Or, how about – AGTEWDM, 'Adult Graduates of a Tertiary Education Without Dependent Minors'?
Maybe there needs to be a new classification, for example – MAWC, 'Material for Adults Without Children'. Or, how about – AGTEWDM, 'Adult Graduates of a Tertiary Education Without Dependent Minors'?
Maybe there needs to be a new classification, for example – MAWC, 'Material for Adults Without Children'. Or, how about – AGTEWDM, 'Adult Graduates of a Tertiary Education Without Dependent Minors'?
You forgot the biggest one, In the Realm of the Senses? And how about Michael Winterbottoms 9 Songs?
Also, Werner's flick is not a remake of the original Bad Lieutenant.
You were spot on with your assessment of Last Tango In Paris. A cinematic masterpiece. I made the mistake of renting the R-rated version once, which is a total abomination. I did purchase a pristine "X" or NC-17 DVD of it recently, but still I wondered if anything would be deleted (having seen the film at least 25 times.) The only thing missing from the original was in the subtitles. They took out the line, "Go shit in Africa." Being non-PC is now worse than any sex or violence you can throw out there.
You were spot on with your assessment of Last Tango In Paris. A cinematic masterpiece. I made the mistake of renting the R-rated version once, which is a total abomination. I did purchase a pristine "X" or NC-17 DVD of it recently, but still I wondered if anything would be deleted (having seen the film at least 25 times.) The only thing missing from the original was in the subtitles. They took out the line, "Go shit in Africa." Being non-PC is now worse than any sex or violence you can throw out there.
You were spot on with your assessment of Last Tango In Paris. A cinematic masterpiece. I made the mistake of renting the R-rated version once, which is a total abomination. I did purchase a pristine "X" or NC-17 DVD of it recently, but still I wondered if anything would be deleted (having seen the film at least 25 times.) The only thing missing from the original was in the subtitles. They took out the line, "Go shit in Africa." Being non-PC is now worse than any sex or violence you can throw out there.
actually, "Lust, Caution" is my favorite Ang Lee film.
actually, "Lust, Caution" is my favorite Ang Lee film.
actually, "Lust, Caution" is my favorite Ang Lee film.
actually, "Lust, Caution" is my favorite Ang Lee film.
actually, "Lust, Caution" is my favorite Ang Lee film.
actually, "Lust, Caution" is my favorite Ang Lee film.
actually, "Lust, Caution" is my favorite Ang Lee film.
actually, "Lust, Caution" is my favorite Ang Lee film.
I happen to think that Lust, Caution is in the top tier of Ang Lee films.
It's also much better than the overrated Last Tango in Paris.
I happen to think that Lust, Caution is in the top tier of Ang Lee films.
It's also much better than the overrated Last Tango in Paris.
I happen to think that Lust, Caution is in the top tier of Ang Lee films.
It's also much better than the overrated Last Tango in Paris.
I happen to think that Lust, Caution is in the top tier of Ang Lee films.
It's also much better than the overrated Last Tango in Paris.
I happen to think that Lust, Caution is in the top tier of Ang Lee films.
It's also much better than the overrated Last Tango in Paris.
I happen to think that Lust, Caution is in the top tier of Ang Lee films.
It's also much better than the overrated Last Tango in Paris.
I happen to think that Lust, Caution is in the top tier of Ang Lee films.
It's also much better than the overrated Last Tango in Paris.
I happen to think that Lust, Caution is in the top tier of Ang Lee films.
It's also much better than the overrated Last Tango in Paris.
NC-17 is dumb, just dumb. I mean, I could be wrong, but I thought the MPAA's whole thing was they are not a censorship group but an educational tool. Their motive is to educate guardians to determine whether their kids are mature enough to see any given movie, but you take away a guardians ability to approve with a rating designed to exclude children (how different was your 16 year old self from your 17 year old self really?) no matter what. If the idea of an R-rating means if your under 17 but a parent permits you to see said movie that seems like the most restriction needed.
Although I probably wouldn't care so much if the general public didn't treat NC-17 movies as if they were porn. Some theaters won't show them. Some media outlets won't allow them to advertise. People definitely think of it as gratuity for the sake of gratuity which is completely unfair for movies like Shame or Crash.
All of this rating business is, of course, subjective. However, there are times in which a film is obviously too much for children, or pre-adults 17 and below; this seems like a safe and sound number. Past this age, it only becomes adults censoring adults, which is ridiculous. In the process of rating a film for children, the most we (as parents) can do is use our best judgement and reasoning skills. Put ourselves in the shoes of our children and make a sound assessment of content suitability. This assessment can be reached by asking ourselves a series of important questions regarding the child's maturity, proclivity to act out perceived actions, history of vulnerability towards things which bear a keen likeness to content displayed in the movie, etc. I find that making such decisions is far easier by carrying this out.
Now moving on to the controversial MPAA. Let me first explain why I think the R rating is absurd and the NC-17 rating is helpful, yet, also absurd in the end. How many times have you attended an R rated film, say, of the SAW or HALLOWEEN slasher series in the presence of a mindless parent(s) with their youngster wailing out at the sight of every decapitation, disembowelment, and hacked off body part? I have. This is when the MPAA can be justified in stamping the film with an NC-17. No children 17 and under — with or without the accompaniment of an adult. No fu*king R (too many dumb as* parents out there, sorry) — just a fat fu*king NC-17. When the content of a film is that conspicuously intense, there should be no argument. And, no, I'm not ignorant to the fact that there are "some" kids out there who have the fortitude for such things extreme in nature. Sure, I was one of them. However, my perception rests on the notion that no film bearing the indubitable earmarks to probably inflict psychological damage is THAT worth seeing, anyway. So fu*king what if they have to wait a few years. It ain't gonna kill 'em.
Now the dismal news. Having said all of this, I must confess that censorship is ultimately pointless. Any child with access to a computer and the knowledge to bypass their parent's blocked site mode, if need be, can reap access to anything he or she desires.
Yes… this…. is… the… VILLAGE… OF… THE… DAMNED!!!
You've imagined the raw, unprotected gay sex in Shame. It's just a none too graphic blowjob.
There's also no male frontal in Borat. There's the nude wrestling scene, but the frontal a are blurred.
The fact you are even accepting the MPAA's parameters is so fuccking lame.
How about a whole article challenging the cabal of corrupt ass motherrrfucckas that sit on the board of MPAA? Or is that ruffling too many feathers for you?
Until that article appears, you are legitimizing an illegitimate body by caving to their rules. It's about the future of movies here….not giving in to reactionary forces trying to tame the power of film.
Great list! But "Whore" is by Ken Russell, not Michael Winner.
I saw Henry & June for the first time recently, and I'm at an absolute loss as to what could have qualified it for an NC-17. According to the movie's Wikipedia page:
"The inclusion of the postcard Nin views at the start of the film (which is of Hokusai's The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife), and some scenes of le Bal des Beaux Arts contributed to the NC-17 rating."
If that's true, it's ridiculously lame reasoning.
What about Salo? Definitely deserved the NC17.