Kenya bans sexually explicit ‘Movie 43’

By DAVID ODONGO

Any hopes of watching the controversial Movie 43 on Kenya’s theatres have been blocked after State censors deemed its content to be overly graphic. The Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) said the Hollywood flick bears ‘extreme elements of sex and nudity’.

“We are applying the law to protect children and youth. They have young, gullible minds that need to make informed choices. Content which promotes sex, nudity, use of alcohol and drugs needs to be discouraged,” KFCB corporate communication officer Eva Mbuni told The Nairobian.

The film — released on January 25 — stars Halle Berry, Gerard Butler, Anna Faris and Hugh Jackman among others. It took almost a decade to complete the project as many production companies rejected the script, terming it too controversial and some actors, most prominently George Clooney quit.

Some critics have referred to Movie 43 – an outrageous comedy with a complicated plot that brings together various stories – as one of the worst films to ever hit the screens. And its scenes that have had censors sensing danger. In one, Anna Faris (Julie), who has been in a relationship with Chris Pratt (Doug) for a year asks him to defecate on her in the bedroom, supposedly for sexual gratification. Doug eats a large meal a few hours before sex to ‘get ready for her’. But an impatient Julie runs into the streets and Doug, desperately chasing her, is hit by a car and graphically performs his call of nature, much to his girlfriend’s delight. And the action goes on to more sexually tense and violent scenes that crossed the boundaries KFCB placed.

“No shop, show, library, theatre or media station will be expected to exhibit or distribute the film,” said Mbuni. Ironically, the movie can be watched online without any hindrance, providing a new challenge to censors. 

The board is mandated by the Stage Plays Act Cap 222 and Section 34 of the Kenya Communication (Broadcasting) regulations 2009 to monitor broadcast content for compliance. Some of its specific jobs include examining and classifying (by age group and time of broadcast) or banning films.

dodongo@standardmedia.co.ke