Death of a President

Censors block Bush assassination movie
05/18/2007

THE ASAHI SHIMBUN

The guardians of movie ethics in Japan blocked the distribution of a controversial movie depicting the imaginary assassination of U.S. President George W. Bush because of objections to its Japanese title, sources said Wednesday.

The movie is the 2006 British pseudo-documentary "Death of a President," which graphically depicts the fictional killing and its after-effects on American society.

The Japanese distribution company Presidio Corp. submitted the title "Bush Ansatsu," which literally means "Bush Assassinated."

That apparently went too far for the Administration Commission of Motion Picture Code of Ethics (Eirin), which approves movies, both domestic and foreign, for viewing in Japan.

Movies not approved by the independent, nongovernmental organization cannot be shown at member theaters of the Japan Association of Theatre Owners. Almost all theaters in Japan are members of the association.

In the movie, Bush is shown being assassinated after giving a speech in Chicago and being replaced by Vice President Dick Cheney.

Presidio officials said they believed the movie was not approved because Eirin members felt the company's handling of the movie violated a code provision that states "the sovereignty of all nations should be respected and care should be taken in dealing with heads of state, national flags, national anthems and ethnic customs."

In response to questions by The Asahi Shimbun, Eirin officials confirmed that the movie was rejected because of the Japanese title.(IHT/Asahi: May 18,2007)

http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200705180098.html