Schindler's List
Date: 1994
Region: Asia,
Subject: Explicit Sexuality, The Middle East
Medium: Film Video
Artist: Steven Spielberg, Director
Description of Artwork: The true story of how a WWII era businessman saved hundreds of Jews from Nazi execution. The film has received critical acclaim internationally.
Date of Action: 1994
Confronting Bodies: Jordanian officials
Location: Jordan
The Incident: The film has received critical acclaim internationally. Jordanian officials are considering banning theaters from showing the film. "If it is totally designed to show sympathy to the Jews, we will not allow it in because of the current situation after the Hebron massacre," said a member of Jordan's committee that authorizes the screening of new films. "How can we expect our people to show sympathy to the Jews if the Jews are not showing any sympathy to the Arabs?" he asked.
Results of Incident: Pirated copies of the film are already available at video shops in Amman. No official word yet on whether the film will be publicly screening in Jordan.
Source: Chicago Sun Times (Reuters), March 3, 1994
Date of Action: 1994
Confronting Bodies: Henrietta Mendez, Philippine chief film censor
Location: Philippines
The Incident: Chief Philippine film censor Henrietta Mendez ordered three cuts on the film before it would be allowed screening in the Philippines, because the scenes showed women's breasts and actor Liam Neeson making love to his screen mistress. As a result of these proposed cuts, director Spielberg pulled the film from screening in the Philippines.
Results of Incident: Philippine senators, also protesting the action of Mendez, demanded the abolition of the censors board, and President Fidel Ramos told reporters he would look into the controversy. "Such narrow-mindedness precisely shows the dangers of censorship," said Senate justice committee chairman Paul Roco. Mendez has refused to back down. "The sex act is sacred and beautiful and should be done in the privacy of the bedroom," she said.
Source: Chicago Sun Times (Reuters), March 3, 1994
