Abstract
[Extract]
The Melbourne International Film Festival is currently running online, but one movie announced at their program launch won’t be streaming.
At the end of July, Sandra Wollner’s The Trouble With Being Born was withdrawn after the festival received “expert advice and following further community consultation”.
The festival cited concerns over the “safety and wellbeing” of the public. Undoubtedly, the Austrian film was a controversial choice to begin with – it portrays (albeit not explicitly) a man’s sexual abuse of a robot child.
Its premiere in Berlin earlier this year was divisive, earning both audience walk-outs and a Jury Prize.
This film is the latest in a long line to push audiences to extreme discomfort. So how far is too far for cinematic representation?
The Melbourne International Film Festival is currently running online, but one movie announced at their program launch won’t be streaming.
At the end of July, Sandra Wollner’s The Trouble With Being Born was withdrawn after the festival received “expert advice and following further community consultation”.
The festival cited concerns over the “safety and wellbeing” of the public. Undoubtedly, the Austrian film was a controversial choice to begin with – it portrays (albeit not explicitly) a man’s sexual abuse of a robot child.
Its premiere in Berlin earlier this year was divisive, earning both audience walk-outs and a Jury Prize.
This film is the latest in a long line to push audiences to extreme discomfort. So how far is too far for cinematic representation?
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | The Conversation |
| Publication status | Published - 12 Aug 2020 |