|
However, the ratings system in the US is voluntary. In Australia (and I believe in the UK as well) it is mandatory. In Australia any film that is distributed, be it in cinemas, on DVD etc, has to be reviewed by the OFLC and given a rating. If it is "refused classification" it is, in effect, banned.
So Cannibal Holocaust, up until last year, was refused classification in Australia, which meant that it couldn't be sold here, and could be seized by customs if someone tried to privately import it. Other films still remain banned in Australia. Eg Salo is banned here, although it was classified at one point in time. The full version of Caligula is banned here.
It is my understanding that in the USA, ratings really affect cinematic release - eg a film getting an NC-17 means that many cinemas won't show the film, and audiences are restricted by age. However the same film can be released without a rating applied on DVD.
|