To the delight (and maybe dismay) of many film fans, IFC Films recently held one-night-only screenings of a “Director’s Cut” of its highly-anticipated film from filmmaker Lars von Trier, “The House That Jack Built.” But as with anything connected to the film, and the person who created it, the screenings received a bit of controversy, as the MPAA released a statement saying the “Director’s Cut” violated ratings rules. And now, IFC Films is speaking up, defending its decision.
You see, the main issue with how IFC Films is releasing “The House That Jack Built” is due to the MPAA’s rules about releasing two cuts of a film (with different ratings) around the same time. The MPAA believes that doing this would lead to confusion among potential viewers, which could mean that a customer could walk into the unrated director’s cut expecting the R-rated version. That audience member would aghast to see the full additional 80 seconds that IFC Films kept in the release. Or so thinks the MPAA.
IFC Films, on the other hand, said in a statement that the distributor “has not received any written notice from the MPAA regarding sanctions” regarding the ‘Jack’ screenings. Also, IFC Films says the priority of the distributor is to “maintain the artistic vision of our filmmakers,” and the company feels the one-night screenings didn’t violate any rules.
READ MORE: Lars Von Trier’s ‘The House That Jack Built’ Is Repulsive, Toxic Trash [Cannes Review]
The MPAA said that there would potentially be sanctions, after a ruling was made. But we have yet to hear about any ruling or sanctions. So perhaps, much like everything to do with von Trier and his film work, the controversy is much ado about nothing.
If you didn’t make the screening and want to see ‘Jack,’ the distributor is releasing the R-rated version on VOD and in select theaters on December 14.
The full statement says:
“IFC Films has not received any written notice from the MPAA regarding sanctions in connection with THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT. It has always been IFC Films’ priority to maintain the artistic vision of our filmmakers and we do not believe that the one-day screening of the Director’s Cut unrated version has violated the MPAA’s Classification and Rating Rules.”