Madam, - The report by your Film Correspondent, Michael Dwyer, in The Irish Times of October 19th on the film 9 Songs film has been considered by our executive committee.
Mr Dwyer saw the film when it was screened in Cannes. He wrote: "There were close-ups of penetration, cunnilingus, fellatio and ejaculation as the two actors immersed themselves in the heat and passion of the characters they portray. . .The dialogue is minimal in a provocative film more intent on dwelling on the intimacy of a sexual relationship in all its detail."
We have appealed to the Irish Film Censor, Mr John Kelleher, to reconsider his decision to pass the film for screening. We received his letter rejecting our appeal on November 1st.
The film, as described by Mr Dwyer, is the factual screening of explicit, real sexual activity of a degrading nature, filmed in front of a production team and camera crew to be shown in the public area of cinemas. We believe that sort of behaviour is deeply private and intimate and should not be for public viewing.
Mr Dwyer said he had no doubt this is "the most sexually graphic film ever to be passed with a certificate from the Irish censor".
Is this to become the new benchmark for what is to be acceptable in Irish cinemas and elsewhere? - Yours, etc.,
IVO O'SULLIVAN, Ph.D., Chairperson, Family & Media Association, Blackrock, Co Dublin.