Cock-fighting too vile for public.. but OK at festival

Published on Friday 29 May 2009 09:57

IT is a controversial scene which is set to be cut when the film hits cinema screens.

But Edinburgh audiences will see the blood sport of cock-fighting in its full savagery after city councillors ruled there should be no censorship at the Film Festival.

The scene is part of the Mexican film Rudo y Cursi, or "Rough and Vulgar", which is to receive a Gala screening at this year's festival with director Carlos Cuaron and stars Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal set to attend.

The film follows its two stars as they aim to become football stars, and features a 20-second long cock-fighting scene, a sport illegal in the UK but popular in Mexico.

While the scene in the film does not include any animals being killed, it was of sufficient concern that EIFF organisers decided to flag it up to the city council, who must approve all festival screenings.

It is understood film promoters will cut the scene when it goes on general release in the UK to get a 15 certificate.

The city's licensing committee decided the scene should be allowed to stay for the festival however, as they felt the film should be shown in its uncut form.

But they have ruled it should treated as an 18 certificate film rather than a 15.

Tory city centre councillor Joanna Mowatt, who was on the licensing committee that voted to keep the scene in, said: "We decided to keep it in. After all, this is an international film festival and there shouldn't be any censorship.

"People should be able to enjoy the films in their entirety and if that involves scenes that are culturally challenging, so be it."

Councillor Colin Keir added: "We felt that putting it up to an 18 certificate for the festival was the right thing to do. People might be a bit squeamish but it is a film festival and it is now at the highest rating it can be."

As most of the films shown at the festival have yet to be certified by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), they are put to the council ahead of the festival to be approved, though councillors do not actually watch the films.

This year the council have also asked the festival to put signs outside every screening to inform people the films have not been certified by the BBFC, and giving an indication of the suggested rating agreed by the council.

The signs will also advise people that they may wish to check the content of a film with the festival if they have any concerns.

Diane Henderson, deputy artistic director of the EIFF, said: "We are very happy the festival is able to screen the full director's cut."