Madam, – Emmet Moorehouse (September 24th) describes the banning by the Irish Film Classification Office of I Spit On Your Graveas "a shameful violation of basic freedoms". According to the IFCO web site, the film was banned because "it depicts acts of gross violence and cruelty (including torture) towards humans." Does Mr Moorehouse believe that anyone over the age of, say, 18 should be allowed to watch such a film? Does he believe that none of those who would choose to see it in a cinema or on a DVD player would be unaffected psychologically or emotionally?
Perhaps he would argue that it is the individual's choice and that he or she should not be prevented by the State from exercising that choice. But we live in a society, a community, where "no man is an island". Surely the power of visual media over human behaviour is well known to Mr Moorehouse? Look at the billions spent on advertising as one example. If even one viewer of I Spit On Your Gravewas influenced to re-enact what he had seen afterwards, even on a defenceless animal, would it be justified by the principle of preserving our "basic freedoms"?
Personally, this is one “basic freedom” I am happy to waive – for the good of society. – Yours, etc,