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Wednesday, February 14, 1973
GUIDELINES FOR FILM CENSORSHIP UNDER REVIEW
The general guiding principles of the Panel of Film Censors
are to be reviewed, the Secretary for Home Affairs, the Hon. D.C.C.
Luddington, told the Legislative Council today.
Speaking at the end of an adjournment debate on "Reduction of
Violence on the Screen," he said the Commissioner for Television and Films
had also been instructed to consider how best the Censors and the Board
of Review could be kept aware of the public's attitude towards violence
shown in local cinemas.
Three Members had earlier called for a review of the guidelines
in an attempt to reduce violence shown in Hong Kong cinemas.
The Hon. H.J.C. Browne felt there was a relationship between
the increase in violence among young people and the "horrible films"
being screened locally.
Although such films were labelled "Not Suitable For Children,"
he said, this was not a valid argument to justify their showing.
He cited a recent film, "Macbeth," as an example of pictures
containing horrifying scenes of violence.
"Because it involved stabbing by a knife it was, I felt, totally
unsuitable for Hong Kong," he said.
Cleaning up the screen, he added, would make cinemas once again
"places of entertainment,"
The second ....
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