Well I never

Categories: uncategorized

Date: 26 February 2005 19:18:02

I'm amused to learn that I've viewed a 'controversial film.' 'Les Choristes,' no less, seen through a haze of Benylin, and unlike most people in the UK without the help of subtitles. Which is probably just as well, as it meant I missed most of the 'rude bits,' which have caused it to fall foul of the censors in America and the UK. See http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/02/26/wfilm26.xml. Hence children under 13 will be unable to watch it in the States as will those under the age of 12 here, unless accompanied by an adult. Call me an old fuddy duddy, but I've seen far worse in some of the stuff younger kids are able to watch over here. Not to mention the films they're officially barred from viewing but do nevertheless!. And as for the 'reform school louts,' they appeared positively angelic compared to some of the little darlings I've enountered in our nice, well-heeled corner of the Home Counties. I'm inclined to agree with the woman cited in the article, who reckoned that the reason American children wouldn't be seeing the film was not because of the content, but because they wouldn't want to watch anything with subtitles.

Ah well, any publicity is good publicity. There's nothing quite like a bit of controversy to have people rushing to the box office. (Memories here of our 5th form classroom and whipping the infamous 'Je T'aime' off the rickety record player at the approach of the member of staff on duty. ) Happy days.