In the run up to the DVD release of Jake West’s documentary Video Nasties:Draconian Days, I have not only met with the man himself to record a wonderful (if I say so myself) interview/conversation, but have also been watching films that caused some chaos in the UK. Whilst we all generally know the term video nasties, its not just horror films that have come under fire in recent years.

Last night I watched for the first time in several years the fantastic and also very strange film Crash, by David Cronenberg (dont mistake it for the Paul Haggis film)

Its very safe to say that Crash is most definitely a film that you either love it or hate everything about it. Watching it last night, Annette (who had never seen it before) despised the film and everything about it. Myself, I love this film but can never work out why. Perhaps its just the fact that I love David Cronenbergs work, had the film been made by McG, would I still feel the same way about it? Who knows. But Crash for me is a masterpiece of strange people doing unthinkable weird things to each other (leg wound anyone ‘shudder’) in a world that seems so devoid of emotion (as many Cronenberg films are set in)

Littered with more than likely more sex scenes that anything out of a porno film (but other than nibbles and some pubic hair, the sex scenes arent really that graphic. They only seem really graphic)  The film takes us into the world of Autoerotisism, now I get that some people love cars, But these people REALLY love cars and more importantly they love the feeling they get from crash crashes (hence the title)

To try and sum up the storyline of this film would be a nightmare but its worth reminding each other that this film is based on a book that was deemed unfilmable. David Croneberg proved them wrong.

So what was all the fuss about? What did the so called ‘powers that be’ think of Crash?

In the UK this film was banned from sale or theatrical exhibition within the city of Westminster (London), although it was possible buy the DVD in greater London and (in theory) see the film at a cinema outside of Westminster (this was true at the time of cinematic release in 1996)). Also, similar theatrical bans were placed in other parts of the UK cities (including Chester, Cardiff and Durham to name a few…)

Despite the film’s hugely controversial subject matter (sex) and its subsequent banning from cinemas in the Westminster area of London the full NC-17 version was passed completely uncut by the BBFC.

In the UK the Daily Mail newspaper led the calls for the film to be banned with a front page headline reading “Ban This Car Crash Sex Film”. To cover themselves against possible prosecution the BBFC consulted a QC to determine whether the film contravened the Obscene Publications Act, a psychologist to see if it could potentially incite copycat behavior, and a group of disabled people to see if the character played by Rosanna Arquette would be considered offensive to them. After all 3 consultations proved to be successful and the BBFC were able to pass the full unrated version completely uncut.

Strangely enough (or not) then ‘Ban This Film’ campaign actually drew audiences to see what all the fuss was about. Working in the video store at the time. People really wanted to see ‘Crash’ mainly due to the fact they were being told by the newspapers that the film was sick and should never be watched.

Looking back on Crash, the film is still very powerful. But its not a scene or even ten scenes that makes the film so unnerving. Its extremely voyeuristic and I think thats what unsettles people the most. The audience watching unlikeable characters doing things to each other that we arent meant to see in a world we wouldnt really want to live in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSDSmHjoL-4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM9JK3MYBUk

Have you seen Crash? What are your thoughts on it?