New York's IFC Center in Greenwich Village announced that the movie theater would allow teenagers into showings of new French film Blue Is the Warmest Color, despite the NC-17 rating.
Though the Motion Picture Association of America rated the movie NC-17 for sexual content, the theater is under no legal obligation to follow through, The New York Times's A.O. Scott notes. The IFC Center has decided that it will allow those under 17 into showings of Warmest Color.
Senior vice president John Vanco wrote in an emailed statement, "This is not a movie for young children, but it is our judgment that it is not inappropriate for mature, inquiring teenagers who are looking ahead to the emotional challenges and opportunities that adulthood holds."
Scott notes that he allowed his 14-year-old daughter to see the movie, twice, when it was shown during the Telluride Film Festival. The MPAA might have classified the film as NC-17, but in France the movie has a "12" rating, which is similar to a PG-13 rating here.
As the movie prepares to be released stateside, there has been some controversy as the director ranted against the film's star.
Abdellatif Kchiche wrote an open letter where he called Lea Seydoux an "arrogant, spoiled child." He notes that Seydoux's attitude has changed from originally being thankful for being in the movie. The director also speculated her comments towards him were just to keep her talked about.
Blue Is the Warmest Color begins a limited release this weekend.
image: festival-cannes.fr/WILD BUNCH/QUAT’SOUS FILMS