It appears that violence and lots of skin is more healthy for the youth of America than educating them. The MPAA has officially rejected appeals by Oscilloscope Laboratories and The Weinstein Company for “A Film Unfinished” and “The Tillman Story” for the R-ratings both films have received.
“A Film Unfinished” is an award winning documentary by Yael Hersonski that is an exploration of the infamous Nazi propaganda film “Ghetto” and the recently uncovered missing reel of footage that casts life for Jews in the Warsaw ghetto in a whole new light.” As such it’s been slapped with an R for “disturbing images of Holocaust atrocities including graphic nudity.”
While we can sort of (but not really) understand the MPAA’s decision for “A Film Unfinished,” the reasoning behind “The Tillman Story” is confounding at best. Directed by Amir Bar-Lev (“My Kid Could Paint That”), the film digs into the truth surrounding the death of Pat Tillman, a former professional football player who left a multi-million dollar contract in the NFL to enlist in the Army. The official line surrounding Tillman’s death in Afghanistan was that it was the result of an encounter with hostile forces, while a further investigation soon revealed that friendly fire, caused by confusion in the field, led to his passing. Furthermore, official documents revealed (after Tillman’s autopsy) that he may have been murdered. So why is it rated R? Graphic sexuality? Brutal violence? Nope. It’s been rated R because of “language.”
The isn’t the first or last dumb decision to come from the MPAA. Though unpublicized, Stephen Frears’ “Tamara Drewe” has also been struck with a R rating for “language and some sexuality.” We’ve seen the film and it’s really no racier than your average teen soap opera. For all the perception that Hollywood is some kind of liberal playground, the MPAA proves there’s a wicked convservative/puritanical streak running through the place. If you haven’t seen yet, we strong urge you to watch Kirby Dick’s documentary “This Film Is Not Yet Rated” which addresses the many flaws of the MPAA.
For now, buy two tickets for both “A Film Unfinished” (opening Aug. 18th) and “The Tillman Story” (opening Aug. 20th) and bring a teenager that you know. [Variety]