In a not entirely unexpected move, the British Board of Film ‘Classification’ has rejected the planned DVD release of The Bunny Game.

Given the recent treatment of The Human Centipede 2 and what is clearly a tightening of censorship rules after a fairly liberal period, it’s no surprise that the BBFC would object to this extreme movie, where the line between staged sexual violence and reality is deliberately and provocatively blurred.

In a typically pompous press statement, the Board claim “the principal focus of The Bunny Game is the unremitting sexual and physical abuse of a helpless woman, as well as the sadistic and sexual pleasure the man derives from this. The emphasis on the woman’s nudity tends to eroticise what is shown, while aspects of the work such as the lack of explanation of the events depicted, and the stylistic treatment, may encourage some viewers to enjoy and share in the man’s callousness and the pleasure he takes in the woman’s pain and humiliation."

David Cooke, Director of the BBFC said: “It is the Board’s carefully considered view that to issue a certificate to this work, even if confined to adults, would be inconsistent with the Board’s Guidelines, would risk potential harm within the terms of the Video Recordings Act, and would accordingly be unacceptable to the public.”

Of course, whether or not nudity per se equals eroticized sexual violence is extremely debatable, as is the suggestion that without context, viewers will be unable to understand the ideas behind the film. But the BBFC, who after all never make mistakes and are entirely consistent with their decisions, know best.

As was the case with The Human Centipede 2, the BBFC claim the film couldn’t be cut to make it acceptable, but nevertheless invite the distributors to make cuts anyway and resubmit (presumably having to pay again for the privilege).

UPDATE: Trinity X, the prospective distributors, have responded to the BBFC's ban, calling it "disappointing, worrying and sad."

Mark Sandell, co-director of Trinity, who acquired the film during Cannes this year, went on to say: “We knew the film was challenging and confrontational, but also felt, as a independent filmmaker, Adam Rehmeir (the director), had a highly original filmic eye and had elicited powerful performances from the cast. We did imagine that the BBFC might ask for cuts but an outright ban gives the film a twisted notoriety that, quite frankly, it doesn’t warrant”.

Director Adam Rehmeier commented : "Rodleen (Gestic) and I didn't make The Bunny Game to glamorise prostitution. It is far from an erotic film. It is a modern cautionary tale grounded in reality."