Christian Peregin
Banning the censor
A protest against censorship.
The proposed scrapping of theatre censorship laws has elicited mixed reactions: some are delighted, others disappointed and others still feel there is much more work to be done.
Culture Minister Mario de Marco on Tuesday announced a draft legal notice which effectively replaces theatre censorship with self-regulation and introduces a new system for film classification.
The changes have been overwhelmingly welcomed by the team behind the play Stitching, banned in 2009.
“Finally we are seeing some sense,” said actress Pia Zammit. She pointed out that the onus of regulation will be transferred to the creators, and this should not be taken lightly.
“However, it is a responsibility we gladly accept, just like TV producers and newspaper editors.”
This does not spell a free-for-all because audiences are empowered to “vote with their feet”, either by not buying tickets or walking out of performances, she added.
Film distributors KRS also welcomed the changes. KRS manager Alex Pace said the new film classification brings Malta in line with other EU countries and included new ratings like 12A (for 12-year-olds to be accompanied by adults), allowing parents to make wiser decisions.
Mr Pace said the legal notice still allowed films to be banned in extreme cases if they did not fall into any classification. However, the new film age classification board must cite reasons and producers can file appeals.
“In the last 30 years we never had a film banned. We don’t handle such products so it does not affect us. If there is no limit, you can just bring in porn and it will have to be classified 18 and you will be able to show it.”
A spokesman for Dr de Marco clarified that the law had no intention of providing for non-approval of any films of artistic value and the only reason self-regulation was not possible with films was because most were imported.
The law was also welcomed by the Association of Performing Arts Practitioners and the Arts Students Association, which both called on their members to partake in the three-week consultation process.
However, although the Labour Party has welcomed the changes, Labour MP Adrian Vassallo, whose views on these issues are conservative, was not pleased. “This is a step backward. All this talk of self-regulation is rubbish. We are heading for a society where everyone is going to be able to do and watch whatever they want. But they can do what they want. What can I do? Obviously, I don’t agree.”
Therese Friggieri, who chairs the current Board of Stage and Film Classification, which banned the play Stitching and will now be replaced by a Theatre Guidance Board, gave a less emotive response.
“We based all our decisions on the law as it was. Now, it is very probable that the law will be changed and other rules and regulations will apply. I’m sure the people appointed to follow these rules will do so,” she said. Meanwhile, the Front Against Censorship reiterated its call for more legislative changes. “This was one of our five proposals,” said spokesman Mark Camilleri, who is still in court defending an explicit article featured on his student newspaper. The Front still wants to see changes in broadcasting, print and obscenity laws. Mr Camilleri said he viewed Tuesday’s announcement as a “pre-electoral gift” and still felt the PN government did not have the political will to combat censorship effectively. The Front was never consulted and the PN, unlike Labour and Alternattiva Demokratika, refused a meeting to discuss the matter.
“When Dr de Marco says sorry it makes me even angrier because I can still go to prison and the government has done nothing to stop that.”
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Morana Axisa
Jan 20th, 12:49
'We are heading for a society where everyone is going to be able to do and watch whatever they want.' AND WHAT ON EARTH IS WWRONG WITH THAT??
I thought we were living in a democratic country??
Christian Sciberras
May 5th, 01:18
Yeah, me too. I thought I was allowed to do whatever I want, including passing through the Prime Minister's office any time of the day.
Sadly, I've been disappointed :(
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 19th, 19:02
I don't understand the GonziPN any more. I am confused. The NP motto is "Religio et Patria". They have always banged on about their christian democractic beliefs. They voted against divorce. Now suddenly, divorce is in; gay rights are up for grabs; we are doing away with censorship and soon will tone down obscenity laws. Hey this party is becoming too liberal for my liking. And so will say many staunch Nationalists. Oh dear! Who should I vote for now? Alll the political parties seem to have become liberal and progressive. I think I will stay at home on election day. Let the others sort out this mess.
Alex Ellul
Jan 19th, 15:54
I would welcome a revision of the law on censorship. However, statements such as: " The Front still wants to see changes in.........................obscenity laws" makes me apprehensive. What does the front mean by change in obscenity laws? I would say that obscene is what it is, obscene. I just hope that this long-waited for revision in the law will not be abused by the extremists who would like to see an 'everything goes' attitude without any repect to the absolute majority of the Maltese people.
Let's say, for example, that any expressions, words, f-words etc that are not allowed in the TOM print or on-line versions should not be heard in any other type of media, not under the excuse of art or drama.
Just thinking.
Morana Axisa
Jan 20th, 12:55
Mr Ellul, define the word 'obscene' please. Is Michelangelo's David 'obscene' because it depicts a nude man? Is D.H Lawrence's The Rainbow 'obscene' because it pictures a sexual encouter between two women? Are war movies, which depict human suffering brought about by the hands of other people - suffering like mutilation of children, rape and torture - 'obscene'??
What was considered to be 'obscene' 50 years ago, is not seen like that by most people now, as the population in general is more civilized, educationalised and aware of such present issues. Putting on blinkers won't make these problems go away, there YES every so many years certain laws must be reviewed and regulated keeping in mind our culture and mentality.
Joe Xuereb
Jan 19th, 13:58
Is this the Adrian Vassallo who, not so long ago, said that he would rather live in Iran rather than.......in Malta? I do not agree with that. His apologists - you know who you are - defended him saying he was merely being hyperbolic to make a point. Oh no he wasn't!(pantomima, pantome`). He said it and that is that.
Vassallo may or may not want to go and live in Iran. But he sounds like he would not mind of Iran came to Malta. Of course works like Stitching would not go down well in Iran. And that is an understatement as we all know. Including Vassallo who is well-pleased with that state of affairs. Some people!!
Christian Sciberras
Jan 19th, 13:47
Mr Camilleri, here's some news for you, you can read and look at anything you want, anytime, anywhere.
That's different from irresponsible people forcing others to watch obscenities, or, to be more specific, to put obscenities in a scholastic journal.
tony camilleri
Jan 19th, 12:44
“This is a step backward. All this talk of self-regulation is rubbish. We are heading for a society where everyone is going to be able to do and watch whatever they want. But they can do what they want. What can I do? Obviously, I don’t agree.”
this is what is worrying about dr Vassallo... yes... i want to watch where i want and how i want. As an adult i can decide for myself. If you don't agree then do not watch and thank you very much. (and how is he still called an MP? is he attending lately?)
FRANS H SAID
Jan 19th, 11:43
Basically I agree. BUT, remember that some form of decent control has to be in existance. Not everything that happens on the stage is or can be licit.
Shall we start staging "HAIR" or shall we have a Crazy Horse Club? Without decent and proper control people will tent to go to extreemes.
I agree that we have been too puritanic, but now we must not go to the other extreem.
Joe Borg
Jan 19th, 11:41
Mario Demarco are these your inherited values? Who said that power corrupts?
Guido Farrugia
Jan 19th, 11:40
That's the whole idea Dr. Vassallo. Who are you to advise me what to see and what not? Hallina minhekk trid. I can assure you that i'm able to decide for myself, thank you very much.
Christian Sciberras
Jan 19th, 13:48
Guido, ever wondered why we send kids to school rather than let them do what they want?
Or is it your superior Maltese culture taught you all about everything?
Morana Axisa
Jan 20th, 12:57
Christian, if you are still mentally at the age you were when you went to primary school, most of us aren't. So yes unlike children we can decide for ourselves. Thanks!
Christian Sciberras
Feb 18th, 19:48
Morana Axisa - At age 10 I was able to decide for myself. But I see this isn't the same with everyone else.
Some need 10 years, others need 15 and others much much more.
No you are not able to decide for yourselves, otherwise we wouldn't need laws. You know something? Laws weren't made for children, but the adults (which supposedly coach children).
Ironic isn't it?
M Ellul
Jan 19th, 10:53
"We are heading for a society where everyone is going to be able to do and watch whatever they want." Vassallo
Oh no!!!
Joe Xuereb
Jan 19th, 10:52
Quote: 'some are delighted' - about time too. '...others disappointed' - surprise me! and '...and others still feel there is much more work to be done' - these can be added to the disappointed, the 'sitting-on-the-fencers' but veering dangerously to the right. 'Much more work to be done?!' meaning, educating people to be an audience to anything that has to be seen in context. A tall order, maybe, but there you are! all done and dusted. As for 'self-regulation' mentioned further down. And this applies also to an educated audience.
Education to see everything in context would be open to all but nobody will be dragged to such, as is obvious. The 'disappointed' will very likely reject this and that is their business. What is not their business is wanting everybody else to follow suit. The newly-enlightened will be able to 'enjoy' good theatre/literature/art and suffer no pangs of guilt. That is the beauty, the soaring onto other, higher planes(keeping in mind that censorship, and its elimination is not solely about matters sexual but also about seeing 'life' differently).
What should be censored are works that have no context other than what they present, usually centred round
violent sexual acts as these, for obvious reasons because visual, have primary appeal, and other sensationalisms created purely for their particular market. These works should not be created in the first place but they can not be put down; and so they go underground. So regulating these - if at all possible - will be a separate matter. Considering that so much is available at the touch of a key.
Advertising plays/films highlighting the 'naughty' bits has always been a ploy to bring in the punters. If this is curtailed - and I am not saying it should or shouldn't be - theatre managers may be none too please (theatre is a business after all). Some will home in on the 'salacious, enticing' bits and scramble for tickets on that ticket alone. That is their business. The 'disappointed' will eventually learn to mind their own business.
Now, then! Bring on the dancing-girls of the 'avanspettacolo' (a chorus of 'real' dancing women before the main feature at the cinema, at one time part of the entertainment in any Italian picture-house worth its name. Maybe someone can tell me if this is still so.
Kevin Cassar
Jan 19th, 10:28
The fact that a man like Vassallo consider this to be a backward move, confirms that we are finally making some progress. If it were for people like Vassallo we'd still be living in caves and lighting fires with flint and stone.
Victor Rodenas
Jan 19th, 10:02
With the use of Internet and Satellite connection,censorship became an anacronism .Before people could be controlled but now with technology it is impossible to do so.Years ago while abroad many went to see films which were sure not to be let seen in Malta ,also,many were fixing their ariels to watch Teliblea,...remember Umberto Smaila,...Edwidge Fenech.That was the dawn of uncensorship.
Morana Axisa
Jan 20th, 12:59
What' s all this about wanting to 'control' people? Are we living in a Nazi concetration camp? Is this Big Brother? I thought I was an adult and could decide what to see/do with my life as I saw fit. However it seems like Malta criticizes certain Muslim countries for having a closed mentality and curtailing freedom, when it's actually doing the same thing, albeit to a lower degree.
ISTHU
David Caruana
Jan 19th, 09:58
"We are heading for a society where everyone is going to be able to do and watch whatever they want."
Of course we are and it shouldn't be any other way as long as minors are protected.
Sur Vassallo who do you think you are to tell adults what they can or cannot watch? This paternalistic mentality has to stop.
These conservatards are an insult to people's intelligence.
Kieron O'connor
Jan 19th, 09:44
Could they also ban the intermission aswell?
Stopping the movie for ten minutes for the sake of selling two bags of popcorn died out in the 80's in the rest of the world!
Joe Fenech
Jan 19th, 10:07
Maltese people go to the cinema just for the popcorn! Remember it is a nation that is ignorant and uncultured!
David Caruana
Jan 19th, 10:21
Speak for yourself Joe, please
Joe Fenech
Jan 19th, 11:16
Never had popcorn during a film... And hey, I'm not in Malta! OK - maybe not all the Maltese go to the cinema for the popcorn or the crisps, but a big majority does.
Steve Busuttil
Jan 19th, 12:00
@ Joe Fenech,
Your cultural image shines with such comments.......
tony camilleri
Jan 19th, 12:47
to Joe fenech.. i do like to have a pop corn during a good movie, maybe even a chocolate or a drink, but i like to buy my snacks beforehand. the Intermission is there purely for commercial reasons cos the cinemas want to sell more and more. Does it mean that im uncultured and ignorant? please please do educate me if so. (ps i hate the intermission)
Christian Sciberras
Jan 19th, 13:52
Joe, don't even think about calling Mr Caruana uncultured! His intelligence can be seen from the other side of the island!