| Ironically, the decision was taken as city licensing chiefs said DCA would not be able to show the full, uncut version as scheduled because they didn’t have permission.
DCA director Clive Gillman said the arts centre would now go ahead with screenings of the accompanying documentary only.
He said, “We have been talking about it, and we decided today that we weren’t going to go ahead with screening the film anyway.
“We wanted to have a full debate around the issues first — I don’t think we have heard both sides of it.
“It is our role as a community cinema to have these kind of debates.
“The important thing is not so much the film itself as the debate, and some people might feel you can’t have that until you have seen the film.”
Mr Gillman said, however, that they were “very conscious” of the sensitivities of certain groups opposed to the movie being shown.
“The documentary will still be shown, and we will look to structure something around that to allow all voices to be heard from both sides,” he added.
The programming of the film, alongside a documentary, prompted outrage from women’s organisations, who claimed it condoned the exploitation of women.
Despite their complaints, however, the local authority said the restriction was a licensing issue and was “neither about censorship nor endorsement”.
Licensing committee convener Bruce Mackie said the film could not have been shown over six days at the end of this month because it has a Restricted 18 classification.
“DCA does not have the necessary permission to screen films with this special classification from the British Board of Film Classification,” he said.
“DCA only asked the council in the last few days for permission to show the film alongside the documentary, and both as 18 certificates.
“This would have needed a meeting of the licensing committee, but this is not possible because the council is in recess and standing orders only allow special licensing committee meetings to be called to discuss matters of extreme urgency.”
Formal complaint
A formal complaint about the screenings had been made by the Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, while another group said there was no such thing as “victimless pornography”.
Deep Throat, which was made in 1972 for US$25,000 and went on to gross more than $600 million, was the first porn film that claimed to have a storyline.
It achieved iconic status in America where it was released at a time when the sexual liberation movement was at its height.
Its star, Linda Lovelace, said in later years that she had been forced into making it by her then husband.
Religious groups targeted the film at cinemas all over the USA, gathering outside and calling for a ban.
City council administration leader Jill Shimi said as the licensing hitch was revealed, “This is neither about censorship nor endorsement.
“The simple facts are that DCA did not apply in time for permission to screen the film.
“As a result, the licensing committee was not given the opportunity to consider the matter fully.” |
