Redemption for Wingrove
With the repeal of the blasphemy law fast approaching, Nigel Wingrove has been invited to resubmit his 1989 film, Visions of Ecstasy, for classification.
The film was refused a certificate by then BBFC director, James Ferman on the grounds that its mix or eroticism and religion might be blasphemous. Wingrove took his battle to release the film all the way to the European Court of Human rights but ultimately lost and went on to found Redemption Films instead.
Although a decision to release the only film ever banned for blasphemy would clear an enormous blot on Britain’s censorship landscape, Wingrove is in two minds as to whether to agree to the invite.
‘If I made the film now I would make it very differently,’ he said. ‘I was exploring areas of dark eroticism, but I had worked chiefly in prints, not films. People say I should put it out, but on a personal level I have reservations. If I did release it, I would need to put it into context and perhaps release a documentary to accompany it.’
We like documentaries.
Sunday 06 Apr 2008 | Paul | UK
