SCREEN/THE BIG SCREEN
WHAT A SHAME One of the year’s best may not make it to Boise big screens GEORGE PRENTICE When director Elia Kazan released his 1956 black comedy Baby Doll, the National Legion of Decency fought to have the film banned in several American cities because of its exaggerated sexual content. For decades, scores of controversial movies—Midnight Cowboy, Clockwork Orange, Last Tango in Paris—fought for the right to even be seen by discerning adults. Carey Mulligan’s riveting performance in Shame might never be seen on the big screen in Idaho. Keep in mind that most of these landmark films depended solely on movie theaters as another roadblock. The same law that allows Michael Fassbender, in one of the finest pervenues because home video had yet to be formances of the year, plays Brandon, whose The Flicks to serve beer and wine forbids introduced. suits cost more than most people’s rent. He’s the theater from screening movies that are Ultimately, in 1968, the Motion Picture a brilliant businessman and presents himself in violation of Idaho’s code on indecency Association of America introduced its rating as a perfect picture of manners and political and obscenity. What’s indecent or obscene? system, slapping G, PG, PG-13, R or NC-17 correctness, but he is also a ferocious sex adAccording to Idaho Code 23-614, it would on films. While the MPAA said its primary dict. Brandon masks his secret with outward include “acts or simulated acts of sexual purpose of these ratings were “to guide intercourse, masturbation, sodomy, bestiality, aplomb but retreats to a sparse apartment, parents,” it continues to keep its NC-17 devoid of any character or personality. oral copulation and flagellation,” and “any category, occasionally tagging films with an When his extrovert sister Sissy (Carey person being touched, caressed or fondled on even-stricter rating that results in nothing Mulligan) insists that she stay with him the breast, buttocks, anus or genitals.” short of censorship. for a while, he is in desperate fear of being And, yes, that inMany of America’s cludes a lot of R-rated revealed. While in her presence, he attempts leading publications to have traditional dates but can’t perform movies. and television outlets SHAME (NC-17) “Actually, yes, a lot literally or figuratively. He ultimately spirals don’t allow advertisof R movies would be into an abyss. ing for NC-17 movies, Directed by Steve McQueen Fassbender and Mulligan are brilliant. in violation,” said Lt. which usually cripples Starring Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan Robert Clements, chief But unless critical acclaim, public demand the films at the box and James Badge Dale or both unlocks the doors of the nation’s of Idaho’s Alcohol office. Consequently theaters, Shame may become 2011’s best Beverage Control Bumany of the nation’s kept secret. reau within the Idaho top theater chains are There is pornography and there is porState Police. “Of course, it depends on what’s reluctant to screen movies that no one has nography. On any given evening, our movie in the movie.” heard anything about. And to make matters screens are splattered with mindless violence And all of that leads us to Shame—unworse, the nation’s top DVD distributors, inand exploitation. But when there are mature cluding Redbox, refuse to stock NC-17 films. doubtedly one of the best movies of 2011— moments of such intense intimacy that we are which, according to the rules, will never be Occasionally NC-17 movies can find a all laid bare, the cinematic power cannot and shown at The Flicks. Shame is rated NChome in art houses accustomed to screening should not be denied. alternative entertainment. But Idaho presents 17 for its extremely adult subject matter.
SCREEN/LISTINGS Opening MOZART’S SISTER—This French film follows the early life of Maria Anna “Nannerl” Mozart, the older sibling of famed Wolfgang Mozart. The brother and sister duo toured the royal courts of pre-French Revolution Europe displaying their musical talents, leading Anna to challenge the social order of the times. In French with English subtitles. (NR) Flicks
28 | NOVEMBER 30 – DECEMBER 6, 2011 | BOISEweekly
THE SKIN I LIVE IN—Pedro Almodovar’s adaptation of Thierry Jonquet’s work Tarantula stars Antonio Banderas as a surgeon seeking to make synthetic skin. In Spanish with English subtitles. (R) Flicks
Special Screenings PRESSPAUSEPLAY—The Boise Advertising Federation presents a screening of the documentar y PressPausePlay, which explores the
effects of digital culture on music, advertising and art. Visit boiseadfed. org for more info. Canned goods will be collected for the Idaho Foodbank, and a full bar will be available with
ID. Wednesday, Nov. 30, 6 p.m. $15 BAF members, $20 nonmembers. The Linen Building, 1402 W. Grove St., Boise, 208-385-0111, thelinenbuilding.com.
For movie times, visit boiseweekly.com or scan this QR code. WWW. B O I S E WE E KLY. C O M