> NEW DELHI (Reuter) - India's censors, cracking down on >increasing sex and violence in movies, have banned pelvic >gyrations, double-entendres, fights with chains and stabbings in >films, the government announced.
> Information and Broadcasting Minister K.P.Singh Deo spelled >out the new censorship rules in parliament Thursday after >government-appointed censors reported frequent breaches of >censorship guidelines in the world's biggest movie industry. > Indian films must be approved by the Central Board of Film >Certification (CBFC) before being publicly screened.
> Singh Deo told parliament in a statement Thursday the CBFC >objected to scenes of violence, particuarly those involving >places of worship, hospitals or orphanges.
> Violent scenes involving belts, chains or animals were also >considered unpalatable, he said.
> Singh Deo added that the board also considers vulgar: >``selectively exposing women's anatomy (e.g breasts, cleavage, >thighs, navel) in song and dance numbers, through suggestive and >flimsy dresses, movements, and zooming particularly in close >shots.''
> The government has been facing protests over increased >levels of sex and violence in films. It recently asked the board >to redefine its definition of vulgarity. Last month film stars >protested against the move.....Singh Deo said censors frowned >on ``double meaning dialogues
>referring to women's anatomy (e.g. breasts or apple or some >other fruits)'' and ``below-the-waist jerks suggesting >copulation.''
> An above-average Indian movie costs anything up to 50 >million rupees ($1.6 million) and the government said it wants >detailed censorship guidelines so that filmmakers would not >waste money on scenes that might be cut.
What about this move in India to control the content of films.Is it a good idea or a bad idea? Why? How would views about the same effort be different in the U.S. What kind of system do we have, anyway. Is there censorship in America, should there be? What do you think about this stuff? Type a few of your thoughts into the lower window of the InterChange screen, then send them to the rest of the class.
Daniel Anderson: How many of you think that the ratings system we have in the U.S. is a form of censorship?
Richard Vu: I have one question. What is double-entendres?
Daniel Anderson: Double entndres are the sort of sexual jokes, or double meanings in words that have sexual suggestions. Soeone syaing they are going to have a weenie roast, could be seen as making a double entendre.
Kent Park: I don't think ratings system is censorship. It just keeps some people like kids from watching things they shouldn't.
Natasha Ann Rogers: I think that as a breathing,thinking human that I have the basic right to be able to see what I want to see and when I want to see it. I'm sick of people telling me what to do. That's why I went away for college.
Randy Samuelson: Randy Samuelson: Personally, I don't care what India does. They are a free country and can do whatever they want as long as they don't treaten the US. I like the American rating system. It is not censorship just ... suggestions.
Daniel Anderson: Natasha, that seems to be the American way, individualism, etc. What if somebody wanted to make a snuff film, where someone is killed and show it, do you have a right to see that?
Michael Nunez: Mike Nunez(alice in chains guy): Is O.J. innocent or guilty! Can Shipero get him off on all charges! Do I care!!!!!
Jai Kumar Subrahmanyam: I don't know about that since you still have age limits that limit the amount of freedom a person has Natasha.
Ryan Schuchart: Ryan Schuchart: In the United States, where freedom of everything is supposed to be commonplace, it is very hard to discern whether or not we should have the ability to censor anyone's ideas, no matter how lewd or controversial they may be. I personally feel that, as opposed to a country that isn't nearly as liberal as we are, we should be able to be able to maintain our views on whatever we wish, as long as we do not force it upon others.
Kent Park: Too much freedom isn't always good.
Daniel Anderson: Randy, if a movie maker has to edit out a scene in order to get an R instead of an X rating, is that not censorship. Natasha was saying that we should be able to see what we want. Why even rate movies? especially if it alters their content?
Kristina Martinez: I think there should be censorship on public TV, but not on cable or films because each individual can decide what they want to watch.
Jai Kumar Subrahmanyam: I believe O.J. is guilty and all this media and hype is the way the prosecution is trying to get him out of jail.
Ritu Singh: I am an Indian who was raised in America and though both India and the U.S. claim to be democracies, I prefer the American way and believe that censorship in movies is an act against freedom.
Daniel Anderson: Kristina, Public T.V vs Cable was a big issue last year, when Janet Reno wanted to regulate. Public T.V standards were suggested, but Cable is where the sex and blood is. What about kids exposed to Cable?
Kent Park: I agree with Kristina, Public access channels should be censored, but cable channels where people have a choice to see it or not should not be censored at all.
Ryan Schuchart: Anderson: We rate movies because some views are not acceptable and/or appropriate for some individuals, especially children.--Schuchart
Daniel Anderson: Ritu, do you think that the mpove in India is representative of Indian society as a whole...less democratic?
Katherine E. Braxton: You should be allowed to see the types of movies or make the types of movies you want, but I don't believe small children should be exposed to too much violence or any sex. I agree with the rating systems in that the y only provide the viewer with the knowledge of it's contents.
Kent Park: Daniel, that's the responsibility of the parents to control what they're kids see.
Michael Nunez: Mike Nunez:I'm going to agree with Kent and Kristina. Censorship is good. Without it you would have little kids going to see Natural Born Killers, or some other evil movie.This could send them into nervous convulsions.
Ryan Schuchart: Nunez, you're cool.
Nick Hildebrandt: Some cable companies offer an option where the viewer has to have a password to see certain channels. Only the parent would be able to see those channels.
Randy Samuelson: Randy Samuelson: OJ is guilty as sin and every sane person knows it. Yes, even Bob Shapiro.
Ryan Schuchart: Shapiro's a weasal, I do agree, but do you really know?
Kent Park: Even T.V.'s not have a password function where the parents can lock their kids out of certain channels.
Daniel Anderson: Ryan, I agree that the reason we rate movies is to try to protect some from certain movies. Would it be Ok to rate a film as being too violent for children, but not to gaurentee that children won't be able to watch the thing. That seems hypocritical?
Kent Park: I meant 'Now' and not "not".
Katherine E. Braxton: OJ is guilty ,but is he actually going to go to jail?
Richard Vu: The rating system is a guide to tell us what sort of things we should expect to see in the movie. If a person finds some of the actions in the movie offensive, they should steer away from it. Natural Born Killers was a twisted movie. I can't belive that Oliver Stone got away with all that stuff.
Melissa Talamantes: Melissa Talamantes: I believe the rating system was designed to positively enforce the need for parents to be informed of the dangers of violence on television, and I see nothing wrong with continuing to inform these concerned parents.
Ritu Singh: Daniel- I do not think it is less democratic, but Indian society is like a child compared to the American society. How the indian moviegoing public handles violence and sex scenes is completely different from how an American would handle it.
Randy Samuelson: Randy Samuelson: Natural Born Killers is the summers second best movie of the summer. One question. Is this the same Woody we knew and loved on Cheers?
Michael Nunez: Mike Nunez: Your'e pretty cool Mr Anderson.I want to grow up and be just like you and have to teach a bunch of annoying freshmen like us.
Katherine E. Braxton: Parents should be informed.
Richard Vu: I don't think so.
Ricky Sung: The rating system in US is a tool which identifies the nature of the movie and warns the movie goer. He or she may not like a horror movie or the erotic movies. I believe the rating system is to help the individual and not restrict unlike India's movie policy.
Daniel Anderson: Kent, good point about the password, or lock box on the T.V. many people suggest that parents should decide what their kids watch and this would solve the problem. What about friends, whose parents don't have the lock, or whose parents let erhem watch p[layboy channel?
Natasha Ann Rogers: Did you like Natural Born Killers?
Nick Hildebrandt: Daniel, of course it would be hypocritical to allow them to watch violence.
Katherine E. Braxton: Why not?
Kristina Martinez: This is true about the cable password, but then the company is assuming that all parents are responsible. What about the parents tha don't care about what their children watch?
Randy Samuelson: Randy Samuelson: How about them Mets!!
McLain Robertson Hall: People in America have become quite apt at blaming the violence on television or in the movies as an excuse for crime. Yet the prolbem as I see it stems from poor parental direction in the home. So I belive to censor the T.V or the movies would be an inaffective way to solve these types of problems within society.
Katherine E. Braxton: Is it a good movie? I want to see it.
Natasha Ann Rogers: It's twisted.
Ryan Schuchart: Oh, but we do somewhat guarantee that the child won't be able to watch the show. Granted, some sleazeballs decide that they don't care and need the money so they can continue to remain in the movie theatre business, and allow the child to view the flic, but is it hypocritical if the intention is there, and should be enforced?
Jai Kumar Subrahmanyam: How do you think this problem should be solved McLain?
Michael Nunez: Mike Nunez: Randy---I must agree. It was a most excellent movie. It reminded me of Floyd's "The Wall" Go see it Katherine!
Michael Heath Haley: M. Heath Haley: There are many ways to look at censorship. First of all, I feel, it can be positive as well as negative. There are some things out there that really aren't intended for minors but all that should be controlled by there parents. The thing we have to look at is what the parents of today are letting there kids do and see. Don't get me wrong, censorship is a major problem, and if we dont fight it, our environment will end up like that of Fahrenheit 451!! If you've read it, you know what I mean.
Ritu Singh: Mike-Kent -Kristina- Can PARENTS not control their kids anymore. The role of the parents in this society is fading away at a faster rate than the ozone is depleting. Little kids cannot get into an R rated movie without adult supervision.
Nick Hildebrandt: Parents should take pay attention to what their children are watching in their own home or someone else's. Didn't your parents ever tell you not to go to someone's house for similar reasons?
Daniel Anderson: NMclain, good point aboput scapegoating T.V. but what about Kristina's, point that some parents will have different values than others. I might not let my kid watch Power Rangers, but when he goes to the p[layground, he may get clobbered by some kid whose parents love the show--maybe not the best example.
Natasha Ann Rogers: RIGHT ON MCLAIN!!!
Kent Park: Daniel, We can't teach parents how to raise their kids. We have to draw the line and say "hey, it's your responsibility how you raise your kids," and that includes who their kids friends are. btw how can you keep the message screen from scrolling like that while reading and can you delete the ones you've read already?
Nick Hildebrandt: Government regulations can not substitute for a human's judgement
Randy Samuelson: Randy Samuelson: I agree with Kent. It is a parents' responsibility to allow kids to see what they should and shouldn't see. My parents didn't care. Look how I turned out ... a card carrying NRA member!
Richard Vu: To Natasha. I liked the movie but was disturbed by it and what it said about us or the Media, but by the violence. T2 was a like a G to Killers. I hate the Power Rangers.
Ryan Schuchart: Farenheit 451 was a totally foreboding book, however, their's was a censorship of every free-thinking idea, not that of innappropriate content.
Daniel Anderson: ritu, and everyone, good point about parental responsibility. but does that alleviate the responsibility of movie makers and T.V to make quality shows. Is it OK to make shows that show rape or senseless violence?
Zulema Marie Vasquez: Hey, what's up?
Kimberly A. Rucker: Kim Rucker: I believe that is the parents resposibility to monitor what thier children watch on TV or in the movies. All the ratings do is suggest which movies would or would not be appropriate for a certain age group. I don't believe that it is censorship.
Nick Hildebrandt: Randy- just because you turned out all right doesn't mean everbody will
Katherine E. Braxton: Parents can't always control what their children are watching exspecialy with all of the movie channels that play R movies during the day time. Kids come and watch the movie before their paents get home.
Michael Nunez: Mike Nunez: Zulema in the house!!!!!!!!!!!!
Daniel Anderson: If you are talking about the movie Natural Born Killers I'm interested. Do you think that it glorifys violence, and murder. do we?
Kent Park: Ritu, Censorship is not going to fix that! What you are saying, and I agree, is that society is loosing it's moral values.
Kent Park: Ritu, Censorship is not going to fix that! What you are saying, and I agree, is that society is loosing it's moral values.
Zulema Marie Vasquez: Hey, what's up?
Nick Hildebrandt: Katherine- that's what channel locks are for
Zulema Marie Vasquez: Hey, what's up?
Kristina Martinez: I do not consider censorship a solution to societies problems but I feel it sometimes glamourizes violence .
Natasha Ann Rogers: to Zulema: The ceiling
Michael Heath Haley: If you take the right away to make any kind of show you want, pretty soon it will lead to more censorship of the same or even a different form, which we can not afford to let happen!!
Ritu Singh: M. Heath Haley- I have read Fahrenheit 451. Do you really think that censorship of sex and violence from movies could lead to a complete abandonment of our literature.
Katherine E. Braxton: The media does that.
Kimberly A. Rucker: If parents don't want their children watching R rated movies on cablr the they should have those channels blocked.
Ryan Schuchart: Anderson: It is okay to make films that deal with rape and violence, merely because these are real within our society. However, they should be done with taste and with concern that these things are detrimental to our well-being, and not a showcase of what seems cool.
Nick Hildebrandt: Daniel- Yes some parts of our society do glorify violence and I dislike it
Ryan Schuchart: Right on Ritu!
Jai Kumar Subrahmanyam: I do agree with the point that Kim had.
Randy Samuelson: Randy Samuelson: Daniel, I saw Basic Instinct, and enjoyed it. I'm glad they edited out some of the scenes because I don't think I could have passed for a 22 year old.
Michael Nunez: Mike Nunez: Right on Kristina! Violence is glamourized by these sick public interest jerks who live a brady bunch life!
Katherine E. Braxton: Why should parents have to worry what their children are being exposed to on television?
Sara Dever: Censorship is just an attempt to keep kids away from things they really shouldn't see or hear but if the kids really want it bad enough they'll get it.
Daniel Anderson: Ryna, good point about the aims of the filmaker, etc. It is not always so easy to say that this film is bad, because it shows a rape. The fact that people are disturbed by Natural Born Killer can be a good thing. There is also a danger, howeverm of using this as an excuse...I'm merely showing it to raise people's consciousness, start the chainsaw.
Michael Heath Haley: I feel if you let the gov't do something, they will keep doing it to the fullest extent possible until you take a stand.
Ritu Singh: Katherine- If parents are not going to worry how their children are being raised then who is????
Nick Hildebrandt: Katherine- Have you seen some of the violence that is available on TV lately?
Richard Vu: Natural Born Killers showed us how powerful the media and all your "reality based" shows are. They are glorfing these serial killers and mass murders to the point of stardom and cult status, but then they are only showing us what we want to watch.
Ryan Schuchart: What is the government doing? Ours or India's?
Daniel Anderson: Sara, good point about access. the things that are out there will at some level get to kids, either directly or through someone else whose seen it. Does this mean that the move uin INdia is a good idea because it might prevent this, or should we pay the price of our kids seeing some of this stuff in order to maintain our freedom?
Michael Nunez: Mike Nunez: I agree Danial! But with Oliver Stone you must be ready for controversy!
Natasha Ann Rogers: I agree with Ritu and being the lack of parents teaching their kids morals, the world is as messed up as it is.
Richard Vu: Oilver Stone is always ready for controversy.
Ritu Singh: M. Heath- was not the american government designed so that the govt could never take complete control of things.
Nick Hildebrandt: Daniel- Remember, moviemakers aren't always out to do the sensible thing; they are usually out to attract a crowd to see their movie which can include pandering to humankind's baser needs.
Zulema Marie Vasquez: Everyone has there rights. Regardless if we feel that someone else's views or actions are immoral or in bad taste, we must respect them without agreeing. I disagree with cencorship because we have the right to speak our minds and reveal our ideas. REMEMBER, WE ARE IN AMERICA AND WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
Kent Park: What about some of the ridiculouis censorships of books. Like Mother Goose and Catcher in the Rye and many many others?
Natasha Ann Rogers: Richard, controveresy always makes big bucks
Randy Samuelson: Randy Samuelson: Katherine, the Juice will remain loose. Some huge football fan or an emotional communist (liberal) will get on the jury and create a hung jury. A sports superstar and hall of famer will never be convicted of manslaughter in this day in age.
Kimberly A. Rucker: The problem is, that the cult, mass murder shows, ect. are the most interesting without that, America would spend their time watching the Brady Bunch.
Ryan Schuchart: Some sick kids who are still seeking their identity are going to kill someone, searching for bad attention, simply because they dug NATURAL BORN KILLERS, mark my words.
Katherine E. Braxton: The shouldn't have to worry about what the are being exposed to in the home. Outside the home is different. Parents should be worried that their kids are safe not about what they are watching in their own living room. I believe cartoons even have to much violence for kids ( Bat Man)
Heather Leonard: The ratings system that has been developed in the U.S. is meant to keep a level of naitievety in our younger generation. Would you really want a child to be exposed to all the sex and violence that the American public survive on?
Richard Vu: I totally agree with you Natasha.
Ritu Singh: I agree with Nick. Oliver Stone loves controversy!!
Daniel Anderson: About the Stone and controversy thing and pandering. Good point. we can't always trust the ideals of the movie maker, because a movie is a collaboartive effort and studios and marketing firms and much more help make the movie. What about the public interest, If there wasn't a demand, would people make these things, or does making them create the demand?
Michael Nunez: Mike Nunez: True Ryan,but what kind of life will the soon to be bankrupt Juice have.
Nick Hildebrandt: The problem with censorship is that it is too easily abused. Government must exercise careful control and censor the least.
Kristina Martinez: Well if the parents are teaching their children moral guidelines then the government should take responsibility and set limits such as censorship.
Ryan Schuchart: Who knows Dude, but then again, who cares?
Kent Park: Katherine, so you would censor BatMan and Bugs Bunny?
Natasha Ann Rogers: Daniel, that's the sick thing. People do want to see it.
Randy Samuelson: Randy Samuelson: Amen to the guy "monitoring" us in McLain Robertson Hall. The CIA would love you.
Katherine E. Braxton: Randy, do you think the media will be at fault if OJ and people like him go free?
Daniel Anderson: Ryan, good point about the impact of movies. Remember last year, when Disney--I think__m had to re-edit the move the Program--I think, because kkids were lying in the Interstate and getting killed by cars, a scene from the movie showed the exact same thing. Is it OK for Stone to make Killersm then, If itis pen probable, that someone might be killed because of it?
Ricky Sung: The rating system is not censorship. In movies, it takes out scenes which was not essential to the plot of the movie but was still interesting like in Basic Instincts.
Richard Vu: Who wants us to live like the Brady Bunch. Should we all go out and get our hair permed and drink coffee all the time. Did you know that they are making a Brady Bunch movie. What's next?
Sara Dever: Daniel, I think its a good idea but hopefully they'll have better luck preventing the kids from seeing what they are not supposed to than the US does.
Ritu Singh: Daniel- True, the media makes movies that interests the public, but the public often forgerts that they are watching another persons view point/opinion and not the complete truth.
Ryan Schuchart: Katherine--will OJ every really be free again, simply because of the media?
Nick Hildebrandt: Too many parents aren't teaching their moral guidelines or even paying attention to what their kids are watching.
Kristina Martinez: What's wrong with the Brady Brunch???
Heather Leonard: Oj shouldn't go free just because he is a superstar he did an injustice and he should be punished!
Kimberly A. Rucker: If children are exposed to a certain ammount of violence at a early age they grow up to accept it. this can be good and bad. It can be good because children don't go into total shock the first time they see it happen. It can be bad because children will go on accepting violence as a common place and possible take part in it themselves because they know that they can get away with it.
Katherine E. Braxton: The Brady Bunch is real anymore.
Michael Nunez: The media is the cause of all evil! Even though the Rodney King thing was all the police departments fault,is creating a riot really neccesary?
Katherine E. Braxton: The Brady Bunch is real anymore.
Jai Kumar Subrahmanyam: It depends on how well known the author is and whether his previous books have been turned into movies. Since in the case of Clear and Present Danger, I did not really enjoy the movie since I thought it was a remake of the earlier movie Patriot Games, but the making of the movie was started before the book was released.
Daniel Anderson: Ritu, good point about public awareness, we need to know what goes into making a movie, the financial demands and the interpretations of others are brought to bear.
Randy Samuelson: Randy: Ritu, THE OZONE IS NOT DEPLETING. IT IS ALL AN EPA HOAX!
Nick Hildebrandt: Richard- Don't criticize movies like that. Just don't watch them and ignore the ads.
Daniel Anderson: Nick, what if a kid who watched Killers shoots me. I may have chosen not to watch the mopvie, but it still has impacted my life?
Kent Park: Nick, Amen.
Jai Kumar Subrahmanyam: I don't think that is a likely possibility Daniel.
Richard Vu: Ritu-but shouldn't movies make you form your own opinions on the subject. You are watching what they think, but your not accepting their slant on it. It is up to the person to form their own thoughts on the matter.
Daniel Anderson: I hope not
Nick Hildebrandt: Randy and Ritu- The ozone is merely a scientific theory and needs more research before anything definite can be said but action must be taken just in case.
Michael Heath Haley: If the child was brought up right, he wouldn't have shot you in the first place.
Natasha Ann Rogers: People liked the Brady Bunch because it was so unreal unlike the "real" world.
Ritu Singh: I do'nt think that today's kids face any of the problems that the Brady Bunch faced ages ago. Our problems,I believe, are more complex.
Katherine E. Braxton: That is a good point, Daniel. Just like , what if you were the person who ran over the kid who was laying in the street because of the program?
Michael Nunez: True Danial but lets not go overboard and see the end of public social life or anything!
Ryan Schuchart: Jai--There is a possibility simply because we live amongst sickos.
Jai Kumar Subrahmanyam: But I don't believe you wil encounter many in Austin, Ryan.
Kent Park: Daniel, this may be a bit blunt, but that's Life. Things like that will happen and Censorship will not prevent it.
Katherine E. Braxton: You can't always blaim the parents for the kids.
Kristina Martinez: I believe making them creates the demand because when one movie hits #1 you see five more similar movies come out.
Nick Hildebrandt: I'm sorry but anybody who is stupid enough to let one movie influence them that strongly needs to rethink their standards.
Ryan Schuchart: Jai--Have you been on the drag yet?
Zulema Marie Vasquez: They will kill or be killed regardless if they watch a violent film or not. People have to live theirs live their lives. NIck, do you know everyone parent in the in the world and do you know their living environment. Plus, do you have kids of your own? By the way, there are parents out there who do teach moral values, it's up to the kids to learn and live by those morals.
Ricky Sung: Daniel in most movies in video, the rated version has 5 minutes or less than the not rated version. Without the few minutes, you would still understand the plot, but some directors are just too horny.
Michael Nunez: If 3 is company and 2 is a crowd! what is 4 &5? ====9 So a guy walks into a bar........
Natasha Ann Rogers: Jai, you could be sitting next to a sicko right now and wouldn't even know!
Melissa Talamantes: Melissa Talamantes: I disagree with Jai. Children learn from what they see and if they see killing on television or movies it can become an easy thing to pick up.
Randy Samuelson: Randy: Katherine, no the media is not at fault if OJ goes free. You can blame gutless loosers for letting OJ go free. OJ was the best running back in football history. People don't want to admit that he murdered 2 people.
Jai Kumar Subrahmanyam: I do believe I have been to the drag, Why?
Daniel Anderson: Thanks, all , I do go ovberboard at times but always with the intent of opening up the discussion. SDoemone did run over those kids and it probably devastated hsi or her life. At the same time, the Program did not put those kids in the street, they had parents, schools, friends, lots of other factors which may have influenced the process. Things are more grey than black and white.
Kimberly A. Rucker: Why censor it out of the movies when you can go see it anywere on the streets. (Houston)
Heather Leonard: Is anyone else having the problem that this place is too liberal!?
Kent Park: Katherine, why not? They are responsible for what happens.
Ritu Singh: Nick- the OZONE is NOT just a scientific Daydream. The definition of a theory is a hypothesis that has proven to be true through experiments. If you do'nt think that the Earth is in Jeopardy- you need to get informed.
Kristina Martinez: Creating a riot got attention didn't it??? It made the whole world look at this situation.
Nick Hildebrandt: Zulema- In order for society to work everybody needs to do their part and if somebody doesn't then other people may be hurt.
Katherine E. Braxton: Kids go bad some times on their own at times
Zulema Marie Vasquez: no who care if its to liberal if you're conservative go to a and m
Richard Vu: Heather- don't you like the liberal air around here?
Dory Morphey: I think that if you're having to worry about what certain "unstable" or "impressionable" people, or parents controling their children's T.V. viewing, and trying to solve this problem by censorship, someone should look for a new solution.
Heather Leonard: richard-rush is my hero!
Richard Vu: Heather- Rush is not right.