Latest news with #TheDevil'sBath
Euronews
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Why is this children's classic Britain's most complained about film?
2024 was a great year for cinema, and several films that made our year featured some NSFW content. Whether it was the nudity in Anora, the colourful language in Kneecap, the grotesque body horror in The Substance or some of the gorgeous yet horrific tableaus in The Devil's Bath, there was plenty to keep censors busy. Still, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has revealed that none of these films were in consideration for the most complained about movie of 2024. It turns out that the new age rating given to a beloved classic caused the biggest stink... In their annual report, the BBFC reveals that its decision to reclassify the 1964 classic Mary Poppins, starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, from a U (Universal – suitable for all) to a PG (Parental Guidance) has made it the most complained about movie of 2024. According to the BBFC, of the 224 complaints made during the year, 56 were for Mary Poppins – meaning it came ahead of complaints about knife fights in Dune: Part Two and that sex scene in Saltburn. So, why was Mary Poppins' rating changed? It all comes down to the word 'hottentots' – which is used twice in the film by the character Admiral Boom, who refers to chimney sweeps covered in soot. Hottentots is a slur originally used by Dutch settlers in South Africa – and was later used to refer to all Black people. Those complaining to the BBFC deemed the discriminatory term to be too outdated and wanted the rating to remain unchanged David Austin, chief executive of the BBFC said: 'The two uses of the discriminatory term 'hottentots' are neither criticised nor condemned, increasing the risk that very young viewers might repeat it without realising the potential for offence.' Elsewhere, there were 17 complaints regarding the 1989 sci-fi classic The Abyss - regarding rumours that the film had been cancelled because of BBFC advice concerning a scene in which a man submerges a live rat in liquid – and Dune Part Two got 13 complaints from people feeling that the 12A (no one younger than 12 may be permitted to attend a 12A cinema screening unless they are accompanied by an adult) was too lenient. Rounding things off was the dark comedy Saltburn, which tallied ten complaints after being rated 15 for 'strong sex, nudity, sexual threat, drug misuse and very strong language'. Austin said: 'Those who got in touch with us generally felt that the film's depiction of sexual obsession was too disturbing for 15. Given the blackly comic tone of the film and that the key scenes, while strong, lacked graphic nudity and other visual explicitness, Saltburn meets our standards at a 15 classification.' The current UK ratings are U, PG, 12A/12, 15, 18 and R18. You can read all about the UK's precise – some might say illiberal – classification system here. And in case you missed it, check out our Top Movies of 2024 here. And remember: "Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, in the most delightful way!"
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tom Neuwirth aka Conchita Wurst, the 2014 Eurovision Winner, Joins Isabelle Huppert in Vampire Movie ‘The Blood Countess' (EXCLUSIVE)
Tom Neuwirth aka Conchita Wurst, the bold Austrian bearded diva who won the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, will make her acting debut in a twisted vampire mystery, 'The Blood Countess,' starring opposite Isabelle Huppert. Magnify handles global and U.S. sales rights (excluding Austria, Ex-Yugoslavia, Germany, and Luxembourg) on the hot title and has unveiled a striking first-look image (pictured) from the film ahead of the Cannes film market where Austin Kennedy, head of global sales, and Phoebe Liebling, manager of global sales, will be pursuing deals. More from Variety ADVERTISEMENT Directed by renowned German New Wave filmmaker Ulrike Ottinger, 'The Blood Countess' draws inspiration from the life and legend of Countess Elizabeth Báthory, the infamous 16th-century Hungarian noblewoman which is played by Huppert. The screenplay was penned by Ottinger and Elfriede Jelinek, the Nobel Prize in Literature winner and acclaimed author of 'The Piano Teacher.' The film is currently in post-production. The cast is completed by Birgit Minichmayr ('Daughters'), Lars Eidinger ('Dying,' 'Personal Shopper'), Thomas Schubert ('Afire') and André Jung ('The Forger'). Huppert plays the Countess Elizabeth Báthory (aka 'The Blood Countess'), as she awakens from her long beauty sleep and emerges from the underworld. 'She and her devoted maid (Birgit Minichmayr) embark on a baroque quest through Vienna to recover the red elixir of life. The book, if found and read by the vampire's enemies, threatens their vampire realm. Hot on their heels are a vegetarian nephew (Thomas Schubert), his psychotherapist (Lars Eidinger), two vampirologists, a police inspector, and more lively characters in this twisted and humorous vampire tale,' the synopsis reads. Producers are Alexander Dumreicher-Ivanceanu ('Ingeborg Bachmann' – Journey into the desert') of Amour Fou Vienna, Bady Minck ('Hinterland') of Amour Fou Luxembourg, and Bettina Brokemper of Heimatfilm (exec producer on 'The Devil's Bath'). The key crew is lead by cinematographer Martin Gschlacht who notably worked on 'The Devil's Bath' which won the Silver Bear at the Berlinale last year; costume designer Jorge Jara ('Freak Orlando') and production designer Christina Schaffer ('The Girl With a Pearl Earring'). ADVERTISEMENT Ottinger, whose best known films include 'Madame X – An Absolute Ruler,' 'Ticket of No Return' and 'Freak Orlando,' said 'This is the right time for the Blood Countess to wake up from her deep sleep and savor the present' because 'The world is upside down and events are repeating themselves in an eerie way.' Magnify's slate also includes Gastón Solnicki's 'The Souffleur' starring Willem Dafoe; 'Filipiñana,' a first-time feature by Rafael Manuel (with Film4); Berlin Generation winner 'The Botanist' directed by newcomer Jing Yi. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alamo Drafthouse Lays Off 70 Staff Members From New York City Locations Ahead of Expected Strike
Alamo Drafthouse has laid off approximately 70 workers from its Manhattan and Brooklyn locations. These cuts were implemented ahead of an expected strike at two of the company's New York City venues. Alamo Drafthouse declined to comment, but sources say these layoffs were part of the annual seasonal slowdown at the movies. Cinema chains usually staff up around the holidays, which is regularly the busiest time for moviegoing. But attendance tends to stall in the early months of the year, so there aren't enough hours to accommodate the extra staff, according to knowledgable individuals. They add that most of those people were part-time employees who will be eligible for rehire in the spring when the box office is expected to regain steam. More from Variety Alamo Drafthouse Lays Off 15 Corporate Employees Amid Box Office Downturn Alamo Drafthouse to Open Two New Cinemas in San Francisco (EXCLUSIVE) 'The Devil's Bath,' Horror Film Selected as Austria's Oscar Entry, Sets Theatrical Re-Release From Shudder (EXCLUSIVE) The circuit, a favorite among cinephiles for its strict 'no talking, no texting' policy, let go of an unspecified number of venue staff across the country in January for the same reason. At the corporate level, 15 employees, or 9% of its workforce, were let go at that time as well. Layoffs in the New York venues were delayed in an effort to 'meet in good faith' with the recently unionized workers, according to sources. An unfair practice charge was filed on Monday to the National Labor Relations Board by the United Auto Workers Local 2179. The union, formed in 2023, represents staffers at the company's lower Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn locations. (Alamo operates a third New York City venue in Staten Island, which isn't unionized.) The complaint alleges that Alamo Drafthouse 'failed or refused to bargain in good faith' prior to making operational changes. For months, the union has been bargaining with management over key issues like scheduling, wages and safety concerns. Alamo Drafthouse was acquired last year by Sony Pictures Entertainment. Before that, the circuit had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2021 as global theater chains were struggling to survive the prolonged COVID-related closures and subsequent lack of new releases. Like most movie theater chains, Alamo Drafthouse has yet to recover from the residual effects of the pandemic as well as 2023's dual labor strikes. Domestic box office revenues in 2024 fell to $8.75 billion, down 3.3% from last year, marking first time post-pandemic that yearly revenues didn't improve upon the last. Hollywood is hoping that fortunes will rebound in 2025, though the box office revenues have been glacial in January and into February. Moviegoing is expected to pick up in mid February with Marvel's 'Captain America: Brave New World,' followed by blockbuster hopefuls like 'Superman,' 'Jurassic World Rebirth,' 'Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning,' 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' and 'Wicked: For Good.' Best of Variety Grammy Predictions, From Beyoncé to Kendrick Lamar: Who Will Win? Who Should Win? New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025
