Film banned
SYDNEY — For the first time in over a decade, the Censorship Board has banned a film from a film festival. The Spanish film, In a Glass Cage, deals with the themes of fascism, masculinity and physical abuse and was to be screened at the Mardi Gras Film Festival in February, organised by Queer Screen.
An appeal has been lodged against the board's decision, which in the opinion of festival director Jeff Mitchell was unwarranted. Although the film deals with the issue of violence against young boys, it is done in a critical way and most of the violent behaviour is implicit rather than explicit. He added that it is important for the community to be able to discuss this kind of issue.
Film festivals operate under specific screening conditions which allow films to be exempted from censorship regulations. No persons under the age of 18 are permitted to enter, and the audience must buy a subscription ticket. In a Glass Cage has been screened in many film festivals around the world since it was produced in 1986.