Here We Go Again?

At the 30th annual conference of the New Zealand Federation of Film Societies (our parent body), the Minister for the Arts, Mr Allan Highet, had some important things to say about censorship. At the 7 February meeting held at Victoria University he said:

"A matter which has been a particular concern of your Federation is the revision of the Cinematograph Films Act, 1961, and I know you want to know just what the National Government is going to do as regards any amendments to that act. Like you, I am concerned that the Government has taken so long to produce the Bill. But at least we now have not one, but two Bills for your consideration, and those who wish to give evidence to the select committee are provided with two different approaches to the problems of film censorship.

"The measure introduced by the previous Government provides for a complete revision of the Act. I must say I do not agree with all the provisions but I do not propose to seek its withdrawal, nor that of Johnathan Hunt - I find myself personally in agreement in a number of ways with the Hunt Bill. Both Bills will remain before the select committee and any recommended changes will be the prerogative of that committee. That does not mean that what they will recommend will become law. It will then come back to me as Minister and in effect I will then be producing my own Bill which in turn will become law. But at least I will then have the knowledge gained from all the submissions made by various people.

"Now I know that your Federation will be making submissions. It is only through receiving and considering carefully argued views from people familiar with the medium, and in a position to anticipate problems, that the select committee will be able to judge the likely effectiveness of proposed changes. As I am sure you will realise, the situation concerning possible changes to the bill is quite fluid. This Government was not the parent of either Bill and is no way committed to any of its provisions. So you might say that we're back to square one but that you've got some guidelines there in a couple of Bills.

"The censorship provisions of the Bills will attract the most public attention. I know that this Federation has often expressed its views on this subject, and Lindsay Shelton was good enough to give me your up to date views on this matter.

"So now I know exactly where you stand. Let me say here that having considered this matter that there be no censorship for adults, and as much as I personally would like to go along with the feeling of your society, certainly at this time I could not support going as far as that. But I hope the time will come when that will be possible.

"As you are probably aware, the Government's policy statement, and I wrote it, undertook that a National Government would provide special conditions for film societies and film festivals. Now we're talking about something in my opinion entirely different from asking for no censorship for films for public exhibition. I believe, and my Government believes, it is sensible that a group of people, interested in film as a medium in itself and as an art form, should have the opportunity of seeing a film in the way in which its maker intended it to be seen. Having seen reports on some overseas film festivals, I am sure that some of the material shown there would be unacceptable in New Zealand. For this reason, I think that scrutiny by the censor for festival screenings will have to continue, but, having discussions with Mr McIntosh, with a very liberal interpretation and an understanding of artistic merit and a realisation of what cuts can do to ruin or seriously affect a good film.

"I am pleased to note that your movement is taking action to increase the minimum age of its members to 18. This could well help to convince the select committee that special provisions can be made for your screenings and until new legislation is enacted, it would also help the censor to interpret his responsibilities as broadly as the present Act allows. In discussions I have had with our censor I know that he feels along similar lines to myself as regards screenings for your members and screenings for film festivals."

Appeal Board Decisions

The Cinematograph Films Censorship Board of Appeal met last November and considered three films that had been refused a certificate by the censor. Two decisions were released within a few days of the hearing.

In a unanimous decision the Board upheld the censor in rejecting Tim Burstall's Australian film Peterson. In another unanimous decision the Board reversed the censor's decision on Alan Funt's What Do You Say To a Naked Lady and allowed it subject to the condition that it be restricted to persons 18 years and over and that one minor and two major cuts be made. As shown in the censor's register, the film is now about ten minutes shorter than when it was rejected in August.

The decision on the third film was released late in January. In considering Sergio Citti's Bawdy Tales the Appeal Board found themselves split. The majority decision of Mr A J L Martin and Mrs M R Nolan found that the film generally depicts the life style of an age far removed from the present, and no matter how realistic and honest it may be, it generally depicts matters which would now be held to be contrary to public decency. In a desenting view Mr A R Sharp said, "In view of Pasolini's responsibility for the script and the film being within an ancient tradition of bawdy humour, the film does not depict any matter that is contrary to public order or decency, nor would its exhibition for any other reason be undesirable in the public interest were it to be approved for exhibition in approved film societies. Moreover, as I have made clear in previous decisions, I wish very much to respect the right of as broad a range of people as possible to see films that are, as this one is, well made technically and which treat the human condition with serious concern." The majority of the members on the Appeal Board therefore upheld the censor in rejecting the film. It is interesting to note that the British censor removed 15 minutes from it before giving it an X certificate in that country. The New Zealand Board was able to judge a complete 97 minute version.

- Sequence, March 1976.