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Controversial film opens eyes to film rating system

By Gregg Shapiro

"This Film Is Not Yet Rated"
Begins Sept. 29
Main Art Theater, Royal Oak

As was the case with Al Gore's probing documentary "An Inconvenient Truth," which raised several thought-provoking questions, documentarian Kirby Dick's expose "This Film Is Not Yet Rated" is sure to begin more than a few heated conversations. An in-depth look at the flawed and questionable ratings system overseen by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), "This Film is Not Yet Rated" is particularly eye-opening in terms of the different treatment that GLBT films receive. Add to that a lesbian who takes on the case, and straight filmmaker Dick has easily created one of the queerest movies of the year.

Gregg Shapiro: What did you think about the revelations about the difference in treatment that GLBT films received versus mainstream films, as talked about in the movie by Kim Pierce, Jamie Babbitt and John Waters?

Kirby Dick: I couldn't believe, for example, that one of the reasons that "Boys Don't Cry" was given an NC-17 was because Chloe's Sevigny's orgasm was too long (laughs).

GS: So the MPAA is anti-woman as well as being homophobic.

KD: Exactly! And the thing about the homophobia, too, is that even after Sundance and very recently, Kori Bernards, the spokesperson for the MPAA was asked about the bias. Her response, which I found appalling, was "We don't set the standards, we reflect them." So it's a tacit admission that there's homophobia.

GS: Were the filmmakers that you contacted willing to participate or did you have to do some coaxing?

KD: Oh, my god! There were some that I had to coax, some decided not to participate. Not because they weren't supportive of the film, they were. But they were afraid that their next film would be more harshly rated.

GS: Would you call that fear of retribution?

KD: Fear of retribution, and the MPAA does nothing to dispel this notion. In fact, it works in their favor. If the very people whose films are impacted by the ratings system are afraid to speak, who else is going to speak out and tell the story about how this ratings system censors people. What this paranoia does is perpetuate the fear.

GS: "This Film is Not Yet Rated" has an additional unforeseen GLBT angle to it when we learn that Becky, the private investigator that you enlisted to help you, is a lesbian. Can you say something about how that element effects the film?

KD: (Laughs) She's great. I actually didn't initially think she was a lesbian. I didn't think one way or another. You actually see on film when I realize (it) and I say, "Oh, that's nice." I thought, "Oh yeah, of course. Duh! (laughs)" So it's kind of funny. But it's also relevant because she's grown up under this oppressive, homophobic system. She's the one who's experienced this repression firsthand. I thought it was very appropriate that she was part of the team that leveled this critique. And secondly, I think Jamie Babbitt raised this point, is that they (the ratings board) say they represent the average American parent, but I don't know for certain, and maybe there were gays and lesbians on the board who weren't out (in 2004 when Jay Landers left the board), which says something in itself, but as far as we know, there are no gays or lesbians on the board. So how can they represent the average American parent when there is exclusion.

GS: Ultimately, what do you hope "This Film Is Not Yet Rated" will accomplish?

KD: I hope that it will make people aware. People have taken this ratings system for granted. Once people realize who unprofessional and secretive it is, how biased against artists and gays and lesbians it is, I think it's very important for people to know. In some ways, Hollywood is the ultimate spin machine and it has sold the American public that they film industry is only a positive industry, in terms of society. When in fact these are major corporations and their first interest is their own bottom line. In pursuit of that they often get involved in things that are very harmful to the society. This message that we hear about it being such a wonderful industry and how good it is for the balance of trade, people have been lulled into believing that it's benign, and it isn't. This film shakes people up. I want them to consider the film industry the way they would any other – the oil industry, the nuclear energy industry – and realize that they need to be held accountable.

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