Cinematic porn

According to the Collins School Dictionary, "pornography refers to magazines and films that are designed to cause sexual excitement by showing naked people and sexual acts".

So far as I know, Maltese law prohibits pornographic material from being displayed in public places in the presence of minors. Also, according to Maltese law, "minors" refers to anyone below the age of 18.

Hence, I simply cannot understand how the Censorship Board deemed it fit to certify a film currently being screened at our local cinemas, Love Actually, as suitable for young people aged 16. Although the film is graced by the participation of excellent actors such as Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Liam Neeson, and it does have its positive moments, it is used as a vehicle for the unabashed screening of purely pornographic material.

One of the sub-plots revolves around the shooting of a pornographic film and this "shooting" is done in the most explicit manner.

The fact that it takes place within the context of a non-porn film does not exculpate the makers of the film from the accusation of using explicit sex scenes for commercial purposes; neither does it exculpate our censors from calling a spade a spade.

In my opinion, the rating should be reviewed to 18 years and those censors who have been so open-minded (?!) should realise that the responsibility they carry can never be taken lightly, unless they are in the wrong place.