Cinema-goer who 'had my mind polluted' among complaints to film regulator

One cinema-goer took exception to the Barry Keoghan film 'Bring Them Down', saying they found it 'extremely disturbing, with graphic scenes of animal violence and someone’s head being cut off' in a 15A film.

Appalled cinema-goers have written to complain over sex and violence being shown on Irish film screens, with one remarking they felt their “mind was polluted” after watching a multi-Oscar winning movie.

The Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO) has released details of correspondence it has received so far this year, which referenced seven different films, including award-winning movies The Brutalist and Anora.

Most related to the film’s age rating being too lenient, while others referenced the bad language and sexual content in them.

A mother who had just brought her son to see the 15A-rated We Live In Time, a romantic drama starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, was one of those who wrote in.

“I had no idea from the advertisement that there would be sexual content and nude scenes in the movie,” she said.

It was embarrassing to take my 14-year-old son to watch the movie. Being a Catholic mom, this movie in my view should not be viewed by young adults in cinema and should not be screened at all.

Another went to see The Brutalist and, having seen it won many awards, assumed it “must be good”.

“I can honestly say I feel my mind has been polluted by watching that film,” the person wrote.

“It had a 16 rating, which I feel is appalling. I am 52 years old and the extreme pornography I saw last night at that film was most certainly not suitable for me, without my consent, and [should have] an 18 rating on it.” 

One took exception to the Barry Keoghan film Bring Them Down, saying they found it “extremely disturbing, with graphic scenes of animal violence and someone’s head being cut off” in a 15A film.

A former school principal, meanwhile, said they were “alarmed at the misogyny towards girls and women” in Anora, whose star Mikey Madison won the Oscar for best actress at the ceremony earlier this year.

“This movie gives a false impression of prostitution,” the former principal said. “Human trafficking of girls and women is a serious issue here. I believe we as adults need to promote wholesome values that protect the mental health and wellbeing of our teenagers. This film gives all the wrong messages.” 

IFCO said none of these were considered to be a complaint, as per its complaints procedure, and all were resolved.

“At IFCO, we are committed to providing trusted guidance and information to help audiences make informed decisions on what video content they — and their children — view,” its director Dr Ciarán Kissane said, adding each classification decision was "carefully considered".