LEGAL DEPT
to assist the Censors in carrying out their statutory duties under the law and to heɔ film producers, distributors and cinema managers to maintain a pcitive role in their work of making and selecting films for public exlibition in Hong Kong. There can be no rigid rules for film censorshp since in the interest of the sensible application of standards each film must be viewed as a whole, within the context of the story andits intent, and not simply by viewing disconnected sequences in solation. If there were rigid rules they would have to be applied eqally to serious films and films made simply for com- mercial explotation and both responsible film makers and the public would suffer. Inevitably there is a degree of apparent inconsistency and occasionally this is used as an argument against a decision, but the inconsistacy is more apparent than real. Where the censor has serious doubt in borderline cases it is better that he should cut or ban the film n order to re-test current policy in the separate Board of Review when the appeal against his decision is heard. It is the principles which are implied by Board of Review decisions which provide the nain guidance for the censor as to current changes in taste and intepretation. It is the aim of the censor to reflect in his work what he believes to be contemporary public attitudes. This publication attempts to reflect in broad terms this approach to the task of censoship. Much of what follows is necessarily of a general nature and my indeed be regarded as an almost self-evident descrip- tion of storis or scenes which could cause offence to sections of the public or be armful to young people who form a large part of our cinema audinces.
General prin ples
4.
Fims submitted for public exhibiton in Hong Kong are expected to bserve the following three basic principles:
(a) orlinary good taste and common sense; (b) repect for the opinions of the public; (c) repect for law and social institutions.
Note: Fim producers should pay special attention to the impact
thir films may have on young persons who form a large pat of Hong Kong cinema audiences. It is not suggested that every film must be suitable for young audiences
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5.
(although more of these productions would be welco but where a producer feels he must include violence in his story or some other action which might be particularly harmful to young persons he should include such sequences only after the most careful consideration of his motives for doing so.
In amplification of these principles, a film or any particular part of a film, trailer or advertisement, will not be banned by the censor, unless in his considered opinion there is a likelihood that its showing in a public place would-
(i) cause deep shock or disgust;
(ii) corrupt morals or encourage crime, particularly crimes of
violence, or encourage the unlawful taking of drugs; (iii) provoke hatred between persons in Hong Kong of differing
race, colour, class, nationality, creed or sectional interest; (iv) unwarrantably offend religious bodies or reputable local
organisations;
(v) bring the impartial administration of justice in Hong Kong
into disrepute;
(vi) provoke hatred or contempt of the Government of Hong
Kong;
(vii) damage good relations with other territories;
(viii) encourage public disorder.
In assessing whether or not a film infringes these standards the censor will bear in mind that—
(a) films are not classified and although public guidance is given
as to which films are considered unsuitable for children,
any film (and trailer) may be seen by children or adolescents as well as adults;
(b) what may seem relatively harmless by western standards can
be objectionable to Chinese audiences, and vice versa;
(c) each film should be considered as a whole, when judging the
possible effects of individual scenes or items of commentary;
film should not be banned nor a scene cut just because
(d)
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435 P04/24