The BBFC Do It Again: ‘The Bunny Game’ Banned in the UK (UPDATED)
by Ben Bussey.
I must say, this one doesn’t come as too much of a shock. Fresh from banning The Human Centipede 2 and then passing it in a censored version, the BBFC have refused a certificate to The Bunny Game. Adam Reheimer’s film (reviewed here by Annie), which has been picked up for UK distribution by Trinity X, deals with the ordeal of a prostitute held captive by a sadistic trucker. Doesn’t really sound like fun for all the family then, and it only feels more unsettling when you learn that the torture was all done ‘for real’ (as Marc discusses at length with director Reheimer and star Rodleen Getsic here.) I’d be lying if I said I was especially eager to see it, but does that I mean I think no other adult in my homeland should be allowed to? Absolutely not. Alas, the BBFC does not share that view.
Their official statement justifies the ban thus: “The Board’s Guidelines state “A strict policy on sexual violence and rape is applied. Content which might eroticise or endorse sexual violence may require cuts at any classification level. This is more likely with video works than film because of the potential for replaying scenes out of context. Any association of sex with non-consensual restraint, pain or humiliation may be cut”. The principal focus of The Bunny Game is the unremitting sexual and physical abuse of a helpless woman, as well as the sadistic and sexual pleasure the man derives from this. The emphasis on the woman’s nudity tends to eroticise what is shown, while aspects of the work such as the lack of explanation of the events depicted, and the stylistic treatment, may encourage some viewers to enjoy and share in the man’s callousness and the pleasure he takes in the woman’s pain and humiliation.”
It is of course worth noting that the earlier banning of The Human Centipede 2 was based on the argument that no amount of cuts would make the film acceptable, yet an edited version has since been passed. Will we see a similar situation with The Bunny Game? Or with somewhat less of a hype machine behind it, will this be another film that falls between the cracks, never to be legally seen in the British Isles…? Time will tell.
UPDATE, 13TH OCTOBER: We now have the official reaction of Adam Rehmeier and Trinity, who unsurprisingly have called the BBFC’s decision “disappointing, worrying and sad.”
Rehmeier says this: “Rodleen and I didn’t make ‘The Bunny Game’ to glamorise prostitution. It is far from an erotic film. It is a modern cautionary tale grounded in reality.”
And here’s what Mark Sandell, co-director of Trinity (who we’re told are “considering their options”) has to say: “We knew the film was challenging and confrontational, but also felt, as an independent filmmaker, Adam Rehmeier had a highly original filmic eye and had elicited powerful performances from the cast. We did imagine that the BBFC might ask for cuts but an outright ban gives the film a twisted notoriety that, quite frankly, it doesn’t warrant.”
More as we hear it.
