In its annual reports the BBFC (British Board Of Film Classification) has revealed that Black Swan was the most complained about movie of 2011, with most of the 40 letters written to the body about the film disliking the lesbian oral sex scene between Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman.
The BBFC is keen to point out, however, that 40 complaints versus the 2.7 million who saw the film is a very small proportion. The report states, ‘While the scene is visually discreet, narratively justified and within the 15 Guidelines criteria, some correspondents felt it was pornographic in nature. That it was a sex scene between two women was an aggravating factor for some who argued that portrayals of homosexual activity should either be restricted to the 18 category, or not shown at all. However, the BBFC in line with broad public opinion, applies the same standards to portrayals of sexual activity, regardless of sexual orientation.’
There also seems to have been a disconnect between people’s expectations and Black Swan itself, with many thinking they were going to get a movie about Swan Lake, and instead getting a dark, psychosexual thriller with homosexual aspects. The film won Natalie Portman the Best Actress Oscar.
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