Censors over the top over Pot.
August 22nd 2009 15:15
STONE BROS.
The classification board has placed an MA15 (Strong Drug Use) on Richard J. Frankland's Stone Bros. - a warm-hearted "roadcom" about two city-based blackfella's reconnecting with their culture.
Part of the Board's reason for placing such a harsh classification on the film is based on an erroneous account of what actually is shown on the screen. The Board writes in its assessment, "The film opens with a montage in which marijuana is shown being cut from the plant, mixed with tobacco and formed into joints." The fact is no marijuana plant is shown
in the film.
Says Richard J Frankland "I am astounded that the Board have taken such a harsh approach to the film, it is evident that the job of appraising the film was not done properly. Either someone within their office has made a terrible error or there is a bias against the film"
To appeal against the Classification Board's decision, the distributor Australian Film Syndicate (AFS) would need to pay a fee of $8,000. This is despite the fact that the Board have clearly made errors in their assessment.
Allanah Zitserman, AFS Managing Director says "Stone Bros. is a landmark film, which will go a long way towards changing people's views about Aboriginal Australia. It breaks down barriers through humour. It is really disappointing that young Australians will be restricted from seeing this film."
Writer / Director Richard J. Frankland has expressed disappointment in what he sees as a complete misinterpretation of the themes and aim of his film. Through the use of humour, Frankland intends the film to clearly show that drug and alcohol addiction cause people to lose their way in life, linking the use of pot to negative consequences. For the two main characters in the film, their lives only start to turn around once they realise that they don't need marijuana as a crutch, instead embracing their indigenous culture and connection to their 'home' as a far more fulfilling life choice.
For Frankland, the MA 15 rating immediately denies a key audience access to the film. His use of distinctly 'blackfella' humour to ultimately portray a strong anti-drug and pro-culture message was intended to be seen, enjoyed and owned by indigenous communities across
Australia, by both young and older generations. Frankland sees his film as an important tool to encourage pride and confidence in a disaffected youth that struggles with a disconnection from its cultural roots.
Into the wider population, Stone Bros. is also the first truly 'post sorry' film that takes a different direction from portraying the devastation amongst indigenous people in Australia. Through humour, Frankland pokes fun at the rift between indigenous and Anglo Australia,
encouraging audiences, both young and old, to move away from stereotypical preconceptions and to get to know each other better through laughter.
AFS, the film's distributor, accepts that the film depicts marijuana smoking, but says that this is moderate in use and always within a context of humour.
In its appeal to the Board AFS wrote: "The film does not glorify, encourage or condone drug use but rather presents scenes in a light-hearted way that depicts the negative repercussions of smoking marijuana to warn against its use."
Stavros Kazantzidis, AFS CEO says "I'm flabbergasted. The drug use is stronger in Harry Potter; where they are popping magic pills and transforming themselves all the time. The Board are totally out of sync with the public's opinion on this. This is a humorous and important film that should be seen by everyone, but now it has been restricted."
Perhaps not everyone has a sense of humour.
Trailer can be viewed at: Really Long Link
The classification board has placed an MA15 (Strong Drug Use) on Richard J. Frankland's Stone Bros. - a warm-hearted "roadcom" about two city-based blackfella's reconnecting with their culture.
Part of the Board's reason for placing such a harsh classification on the film is based on an erroneous account of what actually is shown on the screen. The Board writes in its assessment, "The film opens with a montage in which marijuana is shown being cut from the plant, mixed with tobacco and formed into joints." The fact is no marijuana plant is shown
Says Richard J Frankland "I am astounded that the Board have taken such a harsh approach to the film, it is evident that the job of appraising the film was not done properly. Either someone within their office has made a terrible error or there is a bias against the film"
To appeal against the Classification Board's decision, the distributor Australian Film Syndicate (AFS) would need to pay a fee of $8,000. This is despite the fact that the Board have clearly made errors in their assessment.
Allanah Zitserman, AFS Managing Director says "Stone Bros. is a landmark film, which will go a long way towards changing people's views about Aboriginal Australia. It breaks down barriers through humour. It is really disappointing that young Australians will be restricted from seeing this film."
Writer / Director Richard J. Frankland has expressed disappointment in what he sees as a complete misinterpretation of the themes and aim of his film. Through the use of humour, Frankland intends the film to clearly show that drug and alcohol addiction cause people to lose their way in life, linking the use of pot to negative consequences. For the two main characters in the film, their lives only start to turn around once they realise that they don't need marijuana as a crutch, instead embracing their indigenous culture and connection to their 'home' as a far more fulfilling life choice.
For Frankland, the MA 15 rating immediately denies a key audience access to the film. His use of distinctly 'blackfella' humour to ultimately portray a strong anti-drug and pro-culture message was intended to be seen, enjoyed and owned by indigenous communities across
Australia, by both young and older generations. Frankland sees his film as an important tool to encourage pride and confidence in a disaffected youth that struggles with a disconnection from its cultural roots.
Into the wider population, Stone Bros. is also the first truly 'post sorry' film that takes a different direction from portraying the devastation amongst indigenous people in Australia. Through humour, Frankland pokes fun at the rift between indigenous and Anglo Australia,
encouraging audiences, both young and old, to move away from stereotypical preconceptions and to get to know each other better through laughter.
AFS, the film's distributor, accepts that the film depicts marijuana smoking, but says that this is moderate in use and always within a context of humour.
In its appeal to the Board AFS wrote: "The film does not glorify, encourage or condone drug use but rather presents scenes in a light-hearted way that depicts the negative repercussions of smoking marijuana to warn against its use."
Stavros Kazantzidis, AFS CEO says "I'm flabbergasted. The drug use is stronger in Harry Potter; where they are popping magic pills and transforming themselves all the time. The Board are totally out of sync with the public's opinion on this. This is a humorous and important film that should be seen by everyone, but now it has been restricted."
Perhaps not everyone has a sense of humour.
Trailer can be viewed at: Really Long Link
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