Name of the film and Director
Out of the Blue (2006) - Robert Sarkies
Name of the Chief Censor
Bill Hastings
Provide a summary of the events
The Classification Office held two consultations on Out of the Blue with the community of Aramoana and were given the opportunity to express their opinions and responses towards the film. There were many different opinions on what classification the film should have. It was also noted in the classification decision that the film has merit in the way that it deals with a highly emotional and relatively recent event. It also states that "The film is likely to present violence to teenagers in a new light. Rather than the sanitised and glorified violence often depicted in popular mainstream productions, Out of the Blue presents violence in a realistic manner".
Several media articles published about the Classification Office's consultations with the Aramoana community. At the time, the film's director Robert Sarkies said that he thought that the consultations has gone mad. But Chief Censor Bill Hastings said that when classifying the film the Office had to consider whether it dealt with matters that may be injurious to the public good. "The families of the victims obviously are part of the public of New Zealand" he said.
What was the final outcome?
Out of the Blue was classified as restricted to persons aged 15 years and over with the descriptive note 'contains violence and content that may disturb'. Robert Sarkies agreed with the R15 restriction and said that it allows the film in the future to be seen in senior high school classes as fifteen year olds are old enough to comprehend the film
The film is likely to present violence to teenagers in a new light. Rather than the sanitised and glorified violence often depicted in popular mainstream productions, Out of the Blue presents violence in a realistic manner. The random, unspectacular nature of violence is captured, as are the devastating repercussions it has for good, honest, real people.
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