On the occasion of the opening of the 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, Wait a minute ! delves into the history of cinema and takes an interest in these films that caused a scandal. Among them, Pierrot le fouthe tenth film by Jean-Luc Godard, prohibited at least 18 years old when it was released in theaters in 1965. This is also the case withClockwork Orange by Stanley Kubrick, an ultra-violent film that shocks public opinion and inspires criminals. another movie, Schindler’s List by Steven Spielberg, has caused a lot of ink to flow in Poland and among Muslims despite its seven Oscars.
To dive back into the history of these sulphurous films, Johann Guerin receives Guillaume Evin, writer and film specialist. He is also the author of the book It’s a scandal, these films that shocked our time at Casa Editions.
“A Clockwork Orange”, the film that gave ideas to criminals
The film Clockwork Orange by Stanley Kubrick was released in 1971. It tells the story ofAlex and his band of Droogs who sow terror in England, stealing, raping and killing on their way. Betrayed by his family, Alex is sent to prison. He is recruited by the government to be the guinea pig of an experimental program to eradicate violence.
In Great Britain, the film arouses a continuous stir. While Kubrick’s work panics the box office, some criminals claim influence fromClockwork Orange when it comes time to take action, and miscellaneous facts multiply.
Tired of being the target of repeated media attacks and accused of alleged apology for violence, Kubrick takes responsibility. In agreement with Warner, he secretly decided to withdraw his film from the circuit across the Channel in 1974. On his own initiative, the film finds itself banned throughout the UK. It will not be possible to see the film in Great Britain again until the death of the director in 1999.