Christian Peregin
Broadcasting Authority irked by ‘sensual poses, devilish theme’
PBS chairman disagrees
In an explanation about why a televised photo shoot in the Addolorata cemetery was deemed “in bad taste”, the Broadcasting Authority yesterday complained about “sensual and provocative poses” with devilish connotations.
In the written accusation against the weekly TVM programme Venere, the BA said the shoot could have been considered a “public offence” and listed a number of moments which were in “bad taste”.
A comment the BA believes could have been edited out was when one of the models said that if she knew the shoot was going to be done in a cemetery she would have brought her black cat with her.
“Even the theme, Angels And Demons, could have been considered as bad taste. The models seem to have been chosen for this theme: one model dressed in black and the other in white,” the accusation reads.
BA CEO Pierre Cassar wrote that the model dressed in black could have been meant to symbolise the devil and this was supported by the fact that the model dressed in white was given computerised wings in the final photo.
He pointed out that only the last eight minutes of the 30-minute programme showed the actual photo shoot but it highlighted the fact that there was a build-up to the secret location throughout the programme.
“During the programme it was felt that the production team wanted to raise an amount of sensationalism about the chosen location. (The producer) wanted to develop anticipation and anxiety about the place.”
The BA also complained about the poses and facial expressions of the two female models, saying these were not appropriate to the location.
“In these eight minutes there were some scenes that could have been in bad taste, particularly when one of the models was in a provocative position next to the chapel’s door, especially when the dress looked even shorter when she posed for the photo.”
Some positions and sensual facial expressions could have been in bad taste because they did not suit the location.
There were cases where the models were shown sprawled on the stairs of the cemetery or on the columns.
The BA said all this proved that the programme went against article 13(2)(a) of the Broadcasting Act which says that nothing in programmes can be accepted if this “offends against religious sentiment, good taste or decency or is likely to encourage or incite to crime or to lead to disorder or to be offensive to public feeling”.
Meanwhile, the producers of the show have defended the shoot, saying it was not meant to be disrespectful and that the gothic location was perfectly suited to the shoot’s concept.
They were particularly surprised by the complaints from the public because they had full permission to carry out the shoot.
“The management are so used to photo and video shoots that they have a printed permission form specifically for ‘the use of photographic/filming equipment inside cemeteries’ under a letterhead of the Health Department,” producer Adrian Mizzi said.
The BA charged Public Broadcasting Services Ltd (PBS) with “bad taste” following complaints from the public. The case is due to be heard on Tuesday.
When contacted, PBS chairman Clare Thake Vassallo said she could not understand what all the fuss was about because Mr Mizzi had asked for permission, received it, and abided by all the parameters of the permit.
“They didn’t go on the graves. This is a place with fantastic architecture that was a good location for their concept,” she said.
“Those responsible are the ones who issued the permit. If there is something wrong with having a photo shoot in a cemetery the issue should be raised with them, not the producers,” she added.
Referring to the accusations of the Broadcasting Authority she said the shoot was in no way blasphemous and that the models were not dressed in some overly provocative way.
“Do we want women to be dressed in Burkas now just so men do not get bad thoughts?” she asked, adding that there was nothing wrong or devilish about dressing in black.
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Graham Crocker
Oct 25th 2009, 13:32
"Broadcasting Authority irked by ‘sensual poses, devilish theme’"
Coming up next The Broadcasting Authority has finally came out of the closet.
David Mercieca
Oct 23rd 2009, 19:26
this is dumb beyond belief.. I have relatives buried in Addolorata (like most of the Maltese people) and found the photo shoot to be in very good taste.. What's wrong in using the Cemetery for its Gothic theme? Its not like they where having sex on someone's grave. Authorities need to start realizing that times change. This is art and its obvious that it won't appeal to everybody.. but to actually fine the production team?
Josephine Cassar
Oct 23rd 2009, 16:51
The biggest joke about the Broadcasting Authority is that besides being a watchdog, it's the prosecutor and even the judiciary!! An obscene case of three in one!! Isn't it one of the most fundamental pedestals of any democracy that the accused is judged by someone other than the prosecutor himself!!? Is this some kind of funny Back to the future episode? Time travelling back to the good old days of the Inquisition... Let's get the producers and all involved in some devilish torture machine!!
Simon Grech
Oct 23rd 2009, 16:43
“Even the theme, Angels And Demons, could have been considered as bad taste. The models seem to have been chosen for this theme: one model dressed in black and the other in white,” the accusation reads....
LOooooooollllllLL
Roberto Rizzo
Oct 23rd 2009, 13:19
So pure or so lame?
We are living in Europe in the 21st century and we still find people who are spiteful regarding art. I can't take off my mind the facial expression full of disgust my grandmother had while she talks about the pictures at Addolorata. I looked up the photoshoot to satisfy my curiosity and I what I saw was a collection of very high quality fashion photos in gothic style, very appropriate, especially as we approach "all Hallow's eve" or as we are more familiar with, Halloween, that is growing ever more popular with the youngest generation.
The most important thing in a photo is the message it conveys, and in fashion photos the clothes stand out. It's not a matter of qualifying bad taste, offensive and abusive themes as art, however like every other theme, you either love it or you don't.
Let's be honest and face it, our society is still infantile when it comes to criticising art. It's unbelievable how ironic the situation reminds me of the witch trials of Salem, so bold and shameless at pointing the finger to judge our artists' intelligence and perception and never admit of being just empty vessels.
L Bonnici
Oct 23rd 2009, 10:04
When are we going to learn that such people are just making fun of Maltese society and that they are just playing with it? If they had permission to do it that's fine! I didn't see the programme, but I'm sure those models weren't more explicit than other models on foreign channels.....
Just answer this question for me please... Why is allowed to film parts of an episode (like Becky for instance) in a cemetery and then something more creative is looked as sensual and devilish theme?! I hate to admit it, but Maltese society is still living in 1900 when everything strictly out of the norm was considered to be a taboo...
Joe Grima
Oct 23rd 2009, 09:44
I am no fan of PBS chairman Claire Thake Vassallo but she couldn't have expressed herself better in commenting on the BA acccusation of "bad taste". That Clause in the Broadcasting Act, which says that "nothing in programmes can be accepted if this 'offends against religious sentiment, good taste or decency,” is the most interpretative of clauses in any Act that I know of and is brought in when all other BA arguments will not stand up to independent, unprejudiced scrutiny. It was first brought up by a BA lawyer in the early sixties. Dom Mintoff was due to speak on TV in a scheme organised by the BA itself. The BA lawyer objected to a phrase referring to Archbishop Gonzi, then heavily involved in politics, an Archbishop who repeatedly attacked the MLP leadership. Claiming right of reply, Mintoff refused to take out the phrase referring to the Archbishop, the BA lawyer refused to budge and Mintoff walked out. 40 years later, the Taliban mentality that seems to motivate BA thinking is still alive and well. Hand me my Burka please.
Maria Camilleri
Oct 23rd 2009, 09:41
Maybe Mr. Cassar can write Guidelines for Decency and distribute to all women in Malta with regards to:
1) The Colour Women Should Wear
2) The Length of Skirts
3) Facial Expression.
So that us women can walk the right path and not offend public morals or provoke men.
I would quite like to be described as Devilish and provocative - its quite a compliment !
Lorenzo Vella
Oct 23rd 2009, 09:14
This case perfectly highlights the sorry state of our nation. Instead of moving the country towards increased civil liberties and open mindedness, we are pushing it further back in time. It is disappointing to hear the BA CEO argue as though he is a religious fanatic accusing heretics of misdeeds towards religious icons, while interpreting the colour codes of models, as well as their facial expressions. Not to mention the great heretic accusation of the 'black cat' - well, in the 21st Century that must be offensive and of bad taste. Come on!
It was just a photoshoot (and a good one at that) with an adequate 'Gothic' location. I believe that both producers and models carried out their jobs with the utmost respect for the place and professionalism, and also went through the normal permit request procedure - so basically there is nothing wrong in what they did. My solidarity goes to the producers and all those involved, as they are another victim of the excesses we are now experiencing on a daily basis in our island. We constantly try to look for grievous moral implications in everything other people do but never judge our own actions.