TOKYO -- Film distributor Nikkatsu Co. has defied Japan's movie ratings board by screening 2006 foreign-language Oscar winner "Tsotsi" to a group of teenagers under age 15.
The Administrative Commission of the Motion Pictures Code of Ethics has set the minimum age for the South African drama at 15 on the grounds that the movie shows "scenes of senseless violence, such as one in which minors use guns and ice picks to kill and hurt people."
Nikkatsu disagreed with the decision and gave a special preview Saturday, one week ahead of the film's general release in Japan.
"We believe that these days there are many Japanese kids, especially those aged between 12 and 14, who can't find the importance of 'life' in modern-day Japan," said Atsuko Murata, a spokeswoman for the distributor. "We believe this film has a strong message for those young people and can show them what a wonderful thing life is."
"The scenes of violence in the film are not simply meaningless violence that give an audience unplesant impressions," she added.
The Administrative Commission of the Motion Pictures Code of Ethics has set the minimum age for the South African drama at 15 on the grounds that the movie shows "scenes of senseless violence, such as one in which minors use guns and ice picks to kill and hurt people."
Nikkatsu disagreed with the decision and gave a special preview Saturday, one week ahead of the film's general release in Japan.
"We believe that these days there are many Japanese kids, especially those aged between 12 and 14, who can't find the importance of 'life' in modern-day Japan," said Atsuko Murata, a spokeswoman for the distributor. "We believe this film has a strong message for those young people and can show them what a wonderful thing life is."
"The scenes of violence in the film are not simply meaningless violence that give an audience unplesant impressions," she added.
- 4/10/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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