Thailand’s film censors block ‘Zack and Miri Make a Porno’

The National Film Board is standing by its decision to ban “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” in Thailand, citing that its explicit sexual content goes against moral principles here.

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) initially gave “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” an NC17 rating (banning viewers under 17) for “some graphic sexuality”. However, director Kevin Smith appealed and the film finally got an R with no cuts. The R, or “Restricted” rating, requires viewers under 17 years old to be accompanied by an adult.

Set in the United States, the comedy tells the story of friends embarking on a project to make a porn movie.

‘May encourage copycats’

“The screening of this film may encourage copycats here,” Culture Ministry permanent secretary Vira Rojpojchanarat said yesterday.

The film’s distributor, M Pictures, argued that “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” was a satirical take on contemporary US society and was suitable for viewers aged over 18.

When the National Film Board decided to ban the film during its meeting on Monday, M Pictures appealed and a panel was set up to review the board’s ruling.

After viewing the film, the panel upheld the decision to ban “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” from Thai screens.

Well, we’ve been working on this site for almost 12 years now, and this is the FIRST major banning we can recall – At least in a really long time. It may be time to go fire up the Bluray on this Devils/Flyers/Lost-free evening — it just feels so subversive now…

Kevin’s taken entry two, which comprises of a lot of his twitter posts made in real time during the last two games. You can read the entire thing at the blog site, though here’s Kevin’s intro explaining the move:

Okay, so for those who remotely care about NHL and the Stanley Cup Playoffs, I’m blogging on behalf of the NJ Devils for NHL.com.

Or I was.

With zero acrimony whatsoever, and nothing but love for the NHL, I’m here to announce the Devils Playoffs blog will move back here, to SilentBobSpeaks.com. Even though I was able to find a way around swearing in the blog, the NHL site is – understandably – a lot less liberal than my website. So rather than submit multiple drafts of a blog in order to make it more general audience friendly, we’ve decided that maybe it’d be best to move the blog back here, where I can let my hair down more.

No cause for alarm or outrage. S’not a big deal. No reason to be pissed at the NHL or me. This just makes more sense – as sports generally play to family audiences, and I generally play to reprobates and Persons of Interest.

We’re happy to see new content back at SBS. Now, we’d like everyone to say a prayer for our personally beloved Flyers, who are struggling, for a W tomorrow — And of course, cheer along with Kevin and the rest of View Askew as the Devils bring it back to The Rock tomorrow night, with the best-of-7 series tied at 2 games each (with Carolina). A win tomorrow night is key for both the Devils AND the Flyers. Big hockey night this Thursday.