Launceston Film Society

Through the past year and previous years we have as a film society had the opportunity to view a very diverse range of films. Each film we screen has been rated by the Office of Film and literature Classification (OFLC) and we try to inform our members in the Newsreel if a film may have controversial or potentially offensive material. It is then freely on our members to choose to view each film and they can of course walk out if the film is too much for them.

This freedom to see films is something that we mostly take for granted, but it is a freedom that is not global. Many countries restrict the films its citizens can watch. This restriction is for controlling reasons, be they religious, political or social. As Australians we see our own freedoms and contrast them to these other countries and we feel that Australia is indeed a “Lucky Country” in this respect. When Australians are asked if they support censorship there is a resounding NO. We like the freedoms we have and don’t want to lose them.

Recently, however there have been films banned in Australia from public screening and, most worrying, appeals to OFLC against the granting of film classifications. Members who watch the Movieshow on SBS will be aware of this issue in 2003, particularly regarding the films “Ken Park” and “Baise Moi”. In the case of “Baise Moi” OFLC had only received 3 complaints from people who had seen the film when it initially refused to classify this film. Whilst you may not agree on the content of a film or even on whether it is any good or bad, it must be of concern that films of some artistic merit have been banned and as such can never be screened at the Launceston Film Society. What are the present limits of free speech and artistic expression in Australia? Can the public debate the merits of a film without seeing it? Do we need the paternalistic social regimentation that censorship represents?

If we go back to 2002 the Society screened “In the Realm of the Senses” which was originally banned in the form we saw and had to be cut (please excuse the pun to those who saw the film all the way through) to be screened in the late 70’s. Although more than half the audience at each of our screenings walked out before the end of the film we at least had the freedom to see the film (despite the warnings) and walk out if we wished.

Even more recently, March 2004, the confronting film “Irreversible” which has been in release since February with a R18+ rating, has had to have its classification reviewed by OFLC after complaints from the Australian Family Association and Fred Nile. One wonders why these people are watching this film if they find the content so offensive. Make no mistake these groups have appealed because they want to stop you from seeing this film. They want to restrict your freedoms because they know what is best for you and as members of a Film Society that screens films for all tastes we should all be concerned of this growing trend.

A huge THANK YOU must be given to all the staff at Village who help us run as smoothly as possible and are always helpful with our requests. All the projectionists, ushers, managers and film bookers do a great job for us every year.

Thank you also to you our members, be you a continuing member or a new member, we need your support to continue as the biggest and best film society in Australia.

Each year when our subscriptions go on sale the wonderful staff and management at Fishers Pharmacy help everything to run smoothly.

Without an enthusiastic group of people on the committee who are always willing to volunteer for the many jobs that have to be done the Launceston Film Society would not be the well oiled machine that it is. Well done and thanks for another great year.

Jonathan Kilpatrick
President