In the wake of the ban on Human Centipede 2, a Facebook page and petition have been launched (not by Strange Things, despite what some people think - though we did help out with some of the wording!).

While it's true that the BBFC are much more liberal than they used to be, it's nevertheless true that the Board still bans films - and cuts many, many more. The reasons given sound very reasonable until you actually look ino them, and realise that it's often the result of a very subjective interpretation of the law, often with a distinct class bias - most recently, the Board have passed Taxi Zum Klo with an 18 rating, with golden shower scene intact, while similar scenes are cut from R18 (sex shop only) movies on the basis of being obscene. The arguments for this - that the scene was justified in the context of the film - is a nonsense. If adult films are being successfully prosecuted on the basis on a single similar scene (and there is little actual evidence to show that they are), then context clearly has no significance - it's the act itself that is objectionable.

In a truly free society, we should be allowed to watch any film that does not feature illegal, abusive acts. No-one is arguing that we should be allowed to see child porn, animal torture, rape movies or mythical snuff films, but all those acts are already covered by much stricter laws than the Video Recordings Act, and the idea that abolishing censorship (as opposed to classification) would suddenly see such material openly sold is laughable.

Yoy may not care about Human Centipede 2, or Grotesque, or Murder Set Pieces. But remember - the next film to be banned might be something you do care about. After all, it's not that long ago that no-one cared about The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The Trip or any of the other 946 titles banned in the BBFC's reign. See the bigger picture. Censorship exists because those who oppose it stay silent while those who advocate it make a lot of noise. It's time to stop being so silent.