The Human Centipede Films

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

So I know that the first film has a lot of stigma attached to it, that a lot of people hated it, but I happened to really like it and saw it as more of a black comedy than a horror film (I'm not sure I was supposed to interpret it that way but I did). I don't know that it's a film that really needed a sequl but we all know how it is in movie land and I guess since it was a low budget picture it hit hard enough and did well enough that we got just that.

It's been finished, and it's been flat out banned in the UK by the BBFC.

Fangoria has a pretty interesting article about it here (spoilers).

"It is the Board's conclusion that the explicit presentation of the central character's obsessive sexually violent fantasies is in breach of its Classification Guidelines and poses a real, as opposed to a fanciful, risk that harm is likely to be caused to potential viewers."

Nice one, BBFC.

[Mark Tolch Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark Tolch]

I don't get how in this day and age, movies get BANNED. That just makes NO fucking sense to me.

[Nolando Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nolando]

HC2, like Mark Tolch, banned in Britain...

[Alison Jane Girl Boss Jane Find all posts View Profile Close Alison Jane]

So is it gory and unrealistic as planned?

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

It's got a much nastier sexual angle to it according to the Fango article.

[Mike T Guest Find all posts View Profile Close Mike T]

I don't get how in this day and age, movies get BANNED. That just makes NO fucking sense to me.

That's because you live in a part of the world where film censorship isn't government enforced and compulsory (ie: no film rating = no release). Plus, being an independent body the BBFC have various legislation and gov't departments to answer to. Not every country has a constitutional "free speech" clause protecting people's right to say and do whatever they want (including carry guns and shoot people that piss them off). ;)

PS: I'm not saying this to be mean, rude or provocative. Just stating a fact, that's all. Film and literature censorship is still a gov't sanctioned evil in a LOT of the "free" world.

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

Director Tom Six's response:

“Thank you BBFC for putting spoilers of my movie on your website and thank you for banning my film in this exceptional way. Apparently I made a horrific horror-film, but shouldn't a good horror film be horrific? My dear people it is a f**cking MOVIE. It is all fictional. Not real. It is all make-belief. It is art. Give people their own choice to watch it or not. If people can't handle or like my movies they just don't watch them. If people like my movies they have to be able to see it any time, anywhere also in the UK.”

From Fangoria.

[Toyboy like a hole in the head Find all posts View Profile Close Toyboy]

I'll assume that Tom Six would prefer to have his film seen in the UK (which it will be, via bootlegs and torrents), but I can't help but think that he would see this banning as a badge of honor. Really, to have your horror filmed banned by the BBFC in 2011 is only going to make a segment of the potential audience go from wanting to see this film to needing to see it.

[Mark Tolch Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark Tolch]

I agree with Toyboy....that's that "no such thing as bad publicity" thing. That Von Trier loves so much. :-)

Anyway, Mike, Canada recently banned the horror, er, propaganda film The Eternal Jew....that's the one put out by the Nazi propaganda machine over 70 years ago. Banned. that's right.

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

He probably couldn't have asked for a better marketing angle. You'd think the BBFC would realize that by outright banning a film, yeah, people are going to go out of their way to see it. I also think it's kind of funny and dumb at the same time that he's mad at the BBFC for putting spoilers out there for the public. I see his point, but it kinda makes me laugh. I'm a jerk.

[Mike T Guest Find all posts View Profile Close Mike T]

Director Tom Six's response:

“Thank you BBFC for putting spoilers of my movie on your website...

I'm going to say it: what a fucking self-absorbed jerk! The BBFC are a business, and their job is to classify/not classify films for public exhibition in the UK. If they make a decision, like a refusal, then they are beheld BY LAW to state why they made their decisions. Ooh, surprise, surprise...that means detailing the content as to why they have refused classificiation. Tom Six, you're a fucking self-centred dick.

NB: Apologies for the rant, but...I've had enough of this "entitled" rubbish frrom filmmakers that dictate, just because they made a movie, they're beyond state and territory laws of international countries. Want to make an "edgy" or "extreme" movie? Fine. Want to get it released globally in countries that have government sanctioned censorship, where accountability is to the public and lawmakers? Fine -- just don't go crying in your cornflakes when it doesn't work out, and you knew the consequences.

[Mike T Guest Find all posts View Profile Close Mike T]

Oh what a storm in a teacup! Looks like we (the Aussies - Oi!Oi!Oi!) passed this bloody thing uncut last month...

Human Centipede II passed uncut by Aussie Censorship Board

How do I know that entry means it's uncut? If it had been cut in any way, the version would read either "revised" or "modified". Hahaha! Tip top publicity for the film in Ol' Blighty, but if it was passed uncut down here in the Nanny State it can't have been all that bad to begin with! :p

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

UK distro Eureka's response:

"Within the last week, the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) announced that it had rejected and was unable to classify for release on DVD, The Human Centipede II (Full Sequence).

Bounty Films, and its UK distribution partner Eureka Entertainment Ltd., are disappointed by the decision of the BBFC to deny the film a classification certificate. While both companies respect the authority of the board, we strongly disagree with their decision.

In support of their decision, the BBFC issued a press release that gave an unprecedented level of detail regarding certain scenes contained within the film. Whilst it appears customary for the BBFC to issue press releases in support of its decision making, the level of detail provided therein does seem inconsistent with previous releases where the statements have been more concise. We are concerned this may be prejudicial to our forthcoming appeal.

The Human Centipede II (Full Sequence) is adult entertainment for fans of horror films. If a film of this nature does not seek to push boundaries, to challenge people and their value systems or to shock, then it is not horror. The subject matter of this film is in line with not only the genre, but other challenging entertainment choices for adult consumers.

We respect those who have different opinions about both the film and the genre, and whose opinions may differ to our own, but we hope that the opinions of the adults for whom this product is intended will also be considered. The adult consumers who would watch this film fully understand that it is fictional entertainment and nothing more.

Classifying and rating product allows the public to make an informed choice about the art and media they wish to consume. Censoring or preventing the public from obtaining material that has not been proven to be harmful or obscene, is indefensible in principle and is often counterproductive in practice. Through their chosen course of action, the BBFC have ensured that the awareness of this film is now greater than it would otherwise have been.

Having taken advice on these matters, and in accordance with BBFC guidelines, we will be submitting our appeal to the Video Appeals Committee in due course. "

From Twitch.

[Mike T Guest Find all posts View Profile Close Mike T]

...the BBFC issued a press release that gave an unprecedented level of detail regarding certain scenes contained within the film. Whilst it appears customary for the BBFC to issue press releases in support of its decision making, the level of detail provided therein does seem inconsistent with previous releases...

Btw, this bit of Bounty's media statement is complete and utter bollocks! The BBFC regularly provide, what they refer to as, ECI (Extended Consumer Information) on nearly every second or third film classified these days via their website. ECI releases ARE quite detailed, and the BBFC don't just single out the films they've refused, as the consumer info is given across the board from kid's films to porn. The whole idea of ECI is so that the public have a transparent view to BBFC workings and process. Bounty's statement is just more hyperbole and beat-up for their title to attract attention and gain extra exposure. Dickheads...

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

He does make valid points about the stupidity of the BBFC, however.