Violent French sex film to be shown at the ICA

An explicit film that caused outrage when released in France due to its content of relentless sex and violence is to be given its first UK screening, it was disclosed yesterday.

An explicit film that caused outrage when released in France due to its content of relentless sex and violence is to be given its first UK screening, it was disclosed yesterday.

Baise-Moi has now been picked up by the UK distributor Feature Film Company, which aims to release it in British cinemas by March next year.

The film, temporarily withdrawn from French cinemas, will be shown at London's Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) next Friday in a season of controversial films highlighting censorship, that begins with a day-long conference organised with digital channel FilmFour.

Baise-Moi follows two bored women on a rampage of sex and violence after one is raped. In one scene a man is stamped to death by high heels after he is picked up for sex. There is also a shoot-out in a sex club.

The UK distributor has now submitted the film to the British Board of Film Classification to see if it can be screened in its present form.

A spokesman said it was difficult to say what the public reaction would be, but attitudes had softened with films such as Romance and The Idiots, both passed with graphic scenes.

Baise-Moi has already been seen by one BBFC viewing panel, but the BBFC president, Robin Duval, is expected to view it. A public discussion on censorship is being held at the ICA on 16 November, hosted by broadcaster Mark Kermode.

FilmFour is currently running an Extreme cinema month.