The ax has fallen: Damien Leone’s horror film will be released in French theaters with a ban on minor spectators. Distributors are reacting.
Damien Leone’s film will finally be released in theaters on October 9 despite a ban on at least 18 years old. Bloody Disgusting – Dark Age Cin / Collection Prod DB
By Télérama
Published on October 5, 2024 at 5:46 p.m.
Updated October 5, 2024 at 5:52 p.m.
EIs Art the Clown’s career over? Terrifier 3, Damien Leone’s new horror film, depicting the gory misdeeds of a killer disguised as a clown, has just been banned in theaters for under-18s. Announced by the distributors ESC Éditions, Shadowz Films and Factoris Films, the decision of the Classification Commission is likely to nip in the bud the career of the film, the release of which is scheduled (and maintained) on October 9.
In a joint press release, the distributors expressed their incomprehension and dismay at such a decision. « Terrifier 3 is an arthouse film in the purest tradition of the so-called slasher genre, with perfectly “grand guignolesque” and unrealistic violence. The film never takes itself seriously, and we know that spectators will have all the distance, all the maturity necessary to understand and apprehend this artistic approach. »
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The disappointment is all the greater since the initial opinion given by the Classification Commission only recommended a ban on children under 16, as was the case for the previous part. And to specify: “The history of genre cinema, its excesses and excesses, are intimately linked to the history of cinema itself. Restricting access to spectators will always be a serious decision with a worrying message, isolating the authors by distancing them from their audience. » A relatively rare measure in France for this type of production, the last ban on under-18s for a theatrical release dates back to 2006, targeting that of the film Saw 3.
Small phenomenon across the Atlantic, preceded by an outrageous reputation, Terrifier 2 had benefited from a theatrical release in France and great success among aficionados.
The ban on the third installment probably won’t stop fans of the genre from taking an interest in the film. And, despite its questionable cinematic interest, perhaps it will intrigue others.
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