Sex and the cinema has always been simpatico in France, but the times they are a changing, as the French government is contemplating altering its movie rating protocol. Spurred on by a general trend toward a more conservative posture by many European governments due to social insecurity and terrorism the cinema is in the cross-hairs.
The French movie rating system is regulated by the National Film Board. It rates films into one of four categories: All audiences, 12 years and older (no one under 12 admitted), 16 years and older and 18 years and older. More and more, the Film Board, under pressure from any number of social groups, have capitulated and given more provocative films, which would normally receive a 16 rating the more restrictive 18 rating.
Eva Husson, a French film-maker, speaking on behalf of the French movie industry, stated "We're seeing a blossoming of a conservative movement that threatens to abolish rights and liberties we have known for at least 50 years."
The problem stems (like most issues) from money. A 16 rating restricts a film's commercial value and an 18 kills it! Most exhibitors opt out of screening 18 rated films, not because of limited audiences but because they have to pay a higher sales tax on 18 films (16% vs. the normal 11%). This also impacts TV airings, as movies with a 16 are not allowed prime-time slots and 18 films are ban altogether except on pay-TV and can air only after midnight - a slot usually dedicated for French porn films.
Recently, the French Ministry of Culture has weighed in, as French film-makers believe they are losing their freedom of expression (not to mention cash) and the current rating system is eroding the long-held French tradition of dealing frankly with sexual themes. The Ministry wants to reform the rating system to a more content driven one; whereby, an 18 rating would be given only to films that have overt sexual or ultra-violent scenes.
Tribeca: From Film Fest to Slug Fest
The angry debate over whether or not to vaccinate young children against MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) has been raging for years. The crux of the issue is that a small, but very vocal, group say that the MMR vaccine has a direct causal link to autism.
Now, a new documentary entitled: 'From Cover-up to Catastrophe - Vaxxed' has stirred a huge controversy as it is going to be screened at the upcoming Tribeca Film Festival in NYC, and the backlash for including this anti-vaccine movie has been swift and widespread.
The film was made by Andrew Wakefield, a discredited phyician who license to practice was revoked when he published a study of the vaccine controversy that was found to be totally false and filled with bogus data.
Last week, Robert DeNiro, co-founder of the Tribeca Fest defended the decision to include Wakefield's film, saying "In the 15 years since the Tribeca Festival was founded, I have never asked for a film to be screened or gotten involved in the programming. However, this is very personal to me (DeNiro has an autistic child) and I want there to be a discussion which is why we will be screening 'VAXXED'. I am not personally endorsing the film nor am I anti-vaccination, I am only providing the opportunity for a conversion about the issue",
CMG thinks DeNiro is in denial. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control , after extensive studies has stated unequivically that there is no link between the MMR vaccination and autism - period! Numerous studies have been conducted over the years by various health organizations worldwide and all have stated that there is no causal link between the two.
The anti-vaccine advocates, however, claim that Thimerosal, a preservative once used in vaccines is responsible for causing autism, claiming that the U.S. Government has conspired with the drug companies to cover up the truth. Used for over 70 years to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi in vaccines, Thimerosal is not widely used today, as vaccines are no longer stored in large multi-dose vials but are now stored in individual vials or in pre-filled syringes where a preservative is not required.
The decision to screen 'Vaxxed' has also received flax from the creative film community. Docu producer Penny Lane, writing on behalf of many film-makers in 'Filmmaker Magazine' stated that the Festival's decision to screen 'Vaxxed', "threatens the credibility of not just the other filmmakers in your doc slate, but the field in general. This film is not some sort of disinterested investigation into the vaccines cause autism hoax; this film is directed by the person who perpetuated the hoax."
CMG wonders why the Tribeca Film Festival and Robert DeNiro want to enable a hack and charlatan to spew false medical information. It serves no useful purpose and can cause harm if parents opt-out of permitting their children the MMR vaccine to their detriment.
LATE BREAKING: Today, Robert DeNiro reversed his decision to screen 'Vaxxed' and has dropped the film from the Tribeca Film Festival slate of movies. After discussion with the Tribeca Fest organizers and the scientific community DeNiro issued this statement, "We do not believe it contributes to or furthers the discussion I had hoped for."
Yours truly,
Seymour
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