At least in the USA, films do not have to be rated to be released (eg on DVD). In Australia, any film that is to be released must be rated by a government body (the Office of Film and Literature Classification). If the film shows something they don't like, they "refuse classification" and the film can't be released - ie it is "banned". So no one can see it - not in the cinema, not at home on DVD.
And this government rating seems just as arbitary as your MPAA ratings. It is up to the rating board, and things that have been passed with a rating can later be re-submitted and banned (it has happened with a number of films including Salo and Baise Moi).
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