Banned Movies That Caused Public Outrage During Its Release

Published on 09/16/2023
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Divine Still Shocks Audiences With the Final Scene of ‘Pink Flamingos’

John Waters’ 1972 black comedy Pink Flamingos gained notoriety for its obscene and sinister subject matter. The story follows the exploits of Divine, a trashy and immoral woman who gets involved in a contest to be named the “Filthiest Person Alive.” Because the movie depicts shocking and taboo topics like drug use, murder, and sexual deviance, it was for a long time banned in Australia. Despite the restrictions, Pink Flamingos gained cult status and contributed to the reputation of John Waters as a contentious and important director. Waters, who is renowned for his lighthearted and irreverent style of filmmaking, replied to the ban in jest, saying he was “flattered” by the attention and that the movie’s reputation only served to increase its popularity. With its outlandish content, Pink Flamingos continues to shock and thrill audiences today. It is acknowledged as a legendary and significant work of counterculture film.

Divine Still Shocks Audiences With The Final Scene Of 'Pink Flamingos'

Divine Still Shocks Audiences With The Final Scene Of ‘Pink Flamingos’

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The Religious Text In ‘Life of Brian’ Set Off Alarm Bells Across The World

The satirical comedy movie Life of Brian by Monty Python, which was released in 1979, generated a lot of controversy because of its contentious themes. Because of its alleged blasphemy and damage to Christian beliefs, the movie, which revolves on a man named Brian who is mistaken for Jesus Christ, was outlawed in the UK, Ireland, and Norway. Despite the censoring, the movie developed a cult following and won a lot of fans who praised its humor and astute criticism on organized religion. Despite the initial controversy, Life of Brian has since gained a reputation as a masterpiece of comedy and has had a lasting influence on the genre. The Monty Python group, known for their irreverent and boundary-pushing comedy, responded to the censorship with their usual wit. Member John Cleese famously said that the film was “only banned in three countries – that’s not bad for a film with subtitles.”

The Religious Text In 'Life Of Brian' Set Off Alarm Bells Across The World

The Religious Text In ‘Life Of Brian’ Set Off Alarm Bells Across The World

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