Interest

Japanese Journalist Proposes International Edit for Ghibli's Latest Film

Is Studio Ghibli's latest film, Kaguya-hime no Monogatari, too risque for overseas audiences? That may depend on your definition of "risque," and what overseas market you're talking about.

Directed by Isao Takahata (Grave of the Fireflies, My Neighbors the Yamadas), Kaguya-hime no Monogatari has been getting a positive reception from critics, although one writer in particular is concerned about reception from an overseas audience.

Journalist Akihiko Reizei recently wrote a column for the Japanese-edition Newsweek, saying that although he personally thought the film would become a timeless classic, he worried that it wouldn't be able to screen unedited overseas. Namely, there are scenes of nursing that show visible breasts, scenes that include half-naked babies and children, and one of a nude young girl diving into water. Reizei worries that these scenes will make distribution difficult in countries with stricter attitudes regarding animated on-screen nudity.

Specifically, he is concerned that viewing restrictions will be placed on the film in Islamic countries, and that obtaining a G-rating in the US would be "impossible."

His proposal? That the film be re-edited into an "international" version, a suggestion that has been met with mixed responses.

What do you think? Is he correct in his concerns? Let us know in the forums.

[Via Jin]