The Film and Publication Board has passed the video version of the French arthouse film Romance X for general distribution without cuts. The film, which features several scenes of explicit nudity and sex will carry an age restriction of 18, which means that it may only be rented or sold to adults.
According to the board, the film, which is directed by Catherine Breillat, concerns a woman who explores a variety of sexual alternatives when the man she adores refuses to satisfy her longing for love and intimacy.
“It explores the woman’s psyche in an intimate and extremely personal manner, inviting the viewer to share her most private thoughts, desires and fantasies,” said the board.
It was generally agreed that the film is a credible and serious cinematic work although, it does – to an extent ‒ test the limits of conventional acceptability with regards to its graphic treatment of sex and sexuality.
The board went on to say the film “avoids the graphic depiction of explicit sexual intercourse, but does include scenes of oral sex, penetrative sex, erect penises, masturbation, anal rape and bondage”.
Traditionally, films with such explicit content is classified as X18, but in Romance the defined characters and narrative overwhelm the degree of sexual explicitness.
“While most pornographic material is classified X18 and is limited to distribution through adult stores, explicit sex [no matter how extensive or detailed] is classified 18 if it occurs within the context of a sound storyline,” said the board.
“The potentially problematic bondage sequences are also tempered by an obvious lack of violence and a definite display of sensitivity and care on the part of the male character.” it added.
One of the saving graces of Romance X is the safe sex context – the application of a condom is clearly depicted.
The film includes a real birth scene as well as a gynaecological examination.
Romance has been banned in Ireland, but carries an 18 rating in the UK, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, Norway and Argentina. In the US, the uncut version has not been rated, while 11 minutes were shaved off the general distribution version in order for it to be given an R (restricted) rating.
The video is due for nationwide release on July 9.