Barbadians will now be able to view the movie Black Swan which is nominated for Oscar awards on Sunday.The movie, which was originally banned by the Barbados Film Censorship Board, has now been given a restricted rating after a review. An official confirmed that the film was reviewed on Wednesday and the new rating given.According to the Films Act of Barbados Cap 299, restricted means that the Board considers that viewing of the film should be restricted to persons 18 years and older because it contains strong language, nudity, sexual situations or violence.When the film was originally banned because of offensive sexual behavior, some Barbadians and movie fans were outraged.Many commented online and responded to a poll posted by NATIONNews.com.Jason Greene said: “I don’t think it should be banned. My take on it is that we all have a choice as adults to view whatever we please” He however, said he did not believe those who are under age should view the movie.Amit Tiwari said: We as Barbadians all need to take a stand for our rights. This issue is not getting enough attention. What they have done, is restricted our rights to freedom of expression, choice and self-determination…”Patrick Sobers asked: “Whatever happened to freedom of choice”.Tamesha Blenman said: “So by banning it does this mean that homosexuals don’t exist? Art, true art, ballet, music, paintings, can be inerpreted as anything including erotic that is the point to cause reactions in humans. All this does is make people want to watch “
There was also a petition online by the group Against the Affront to Freedom of Expression in Barbados by the Barbados Board of Film Censors.In its petition to the Censorship Board, it called for the decision on the banning of Black Swan to be reversed.
The petition also included the provision to have a limited screening of films to unbiased members of the public and consider their input before pronouncing a ban.It added: The Barbados Board of Film Censors chose to censor this film without any discussion about its content with the public and subsequently failing to publish adequately explained reasons behind its decision.
“We believe that freedom of expression is a key pillar in a democratic society, and whne leaders choose to censor material without consulting the public, particularly artistic material which may be of cultural significance, our whole society loses”.It continued: “In this case, it is patronizing that the board doesn’t think that Barbadians can handle a film that has won such prestigious awards, and that people the world over are enjoying”.
The petition referred to the Saw and Crank films which were not banned, as well as Brokeback Mountain, which centred on a homosexual relationship.“Removing the ban on Black Swan would demonstrate commitment to freedom of expression and choice” it added.The movie Black Swan is a psychological thriller about a talented young ballerina who is awarded the prized dual role of the White Swan/Black Swan in a production of “Swan Lake”.
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