It’s no surprise that Lars von Trier is a controversial filmmaker. The castration scene in “Antichrist” Bjork’s heartbreaking final song in “Dancer in the Dark” and the graphic and violent sex scenes in “Nymphomaniac” are only some of the many times the controversial auteur has been accused of going too far. His new film “The House That Jack Built” is no exception, as many are claiming its his most shocking film yet.
Promotional photo for Lars von Trier’s “The House That Jack Built.” Photo courtesy of vulture.com
The movie, which stars Matt Dillon as a serial killer recounting his life story, premiered at the Cannes film festival this past May to countless walkouts and boos. The film is split in sections, each devoted to a different murder Jack committed. According to audiences who have seen it, there’s an especially disturbing sequence involving children’s corpses and the torturing of a baby duck. The film was so controversial that it’s no longer being shown in its entirety. The version that played at Cannes is now being labeled the Unrated Version, while an edited, slightly less graphic cut of the film will be available to stream or watch in the theaters next month.
However, on November 28, IFC Theaters released the Unrated Version of “The House That Jack Built” for a one night only, special engagement, for fans of more shocking cinema. However, the MPAA (the Motion Picture Association of America), who are in charge of rating a film from G through NC-17, say that the theater violated rules by showing an unrated film.
Lars von Trier poses for a poster for his new film “The House That Jack Built.” Photo courtesy of indiewire.com
In a statement released last night, the MPAA said they have “communicated to the distributor, IFC Films, that the screening of an unrated version of the film in such close proximity to the release of the rated version – without obtaining a waiver – is in violation of the rating system’s rules.” They’re threatening to sanction the theaters and take future action regarding their upcoming slate of releases.
If anyone needs convincing that the MPAA is power hungry and ridiculously unnecessary, take a look at the 2006 documentary “This Film is Not Yet Rated” which reveals that shady business practices, arbitrary rules and cult-ish behavior of the association. It’s eye-opening, surprising and only further cements that they should be, if not disbanded, severely amended.
Matt Dillon stars as the title character in “The House That Jack Built.” Photo courtesy of orlandoweekly.com
We’ll have to wait and see what the MPAA’s next move is, as well as how IFC responds.
Von Trier’s previous film “Nymphomaniac” also had an Unrated cut. The five and a half hour film was split into two parts, and while they were both available to stream on Netflix, their Unrated counterparts were also available, giving viewers the option as to which one they wanted to watch. I wonder if “The House That Jack Built” will have a similar release strategy, or if this controversy is the final nail on the Unrated Version’s future.
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