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By Allal El Alaoui
Censorship is a world wild law instrument that all cinema filmmakers and producers undergo. Every country in the world has its own rules about censorship . What Morocco and India have in common about supervising movies is freedom of speech. Both countries are still having controversial debates about whether thinkers ,journalists and filmmakers can go farther to tackle touchy subjects . ‘ Maroc’ by Leila Marrakchi is severly banned by an Islamic political party,JDP (1) in Morocco.Yet, some cinema theatres have projected it . The same as ‘ Fanaa’ by Mahesh Bhatt, and the "Da Vinci Code," which endured a delayed opening in India, and has now been banned in various states across the country due to the fear of violent protests by the minority Christian community. Recent clip of Paris Hilton (2) was also banned from all TV channels in India . This is despite the fact that it has been cleared by the independent Central Censors Board without any recommended cuts.
Rakesh Sharma’s The Final Solution (2004) is easily the most capacious of the handful of documentaries on the Gujarat killings. Despite of its projetion around the world , this film treating the clash between Muslims and Hindus in Gujurat, still awaits a certificate from CBFC(3).
Bollywood is the world most prolific industry that goes through censorship. In India ,they call it CBFC,Central Board of Film Certification. Having its head quaters in Mumbay,it has nine regional centers at Bangalore,Chennai ,Cuttack,Delhi ,Guwahati,Hyderabad,Kolkata,Mumbay,and thiruvananthapuram.
All kind of film support either it is celluloid or video or CD or DVD version are subjected to censorship. This makes Supreme Court of India publish an official statement through out India that all films meant for public exhibition, irrespective of their length must be screened. In fact, the board screens every movie and can order to cut out offensive scenes. Producers can make an appeal to gain rights at the court , but CBFC ‘ responsabiltity is only to certify films. Members of the censorship board who come from the world of education , politics , arts , social sciences and films are appointed only for three years,. Touchy political subjects like religious or ethnic themes are off limits.
"Film censorship becomes necessary because a film motivates thought and action and assures a high degree of attention and retention as compared to the printed word. The combination of act and speech, sight and sound in semi darkness of the theatre with elimination of all distracting ideas will have a strong impact on the minds of the viewers and can affect emotions. Therefore, it has as much potential for evil as it has for good and has an equal potential to instill or cultivate violent or good behaviour. It cannot be equated with other modes of communication. Censorship by prior restraint is, therefore, not only desirable but also necessary"
one of the objective of the certification is that the medium of film
must consider the values and standards of society; presents clean and healthy entertainment; and the film is of aesthetic value and cinematically of a good standard » (3).
1- SPD is an Islamic political party in Morocco.
2- Paris Hilton is an American clip star .
3- Famous statement of Supreme Court of India .
