A scene from the Joker film where a character is bludgeoned to death and the decapitation of a girl in another movie prompted complaints to the film classification board.
Cinemagoers queried why some offerings were not given a more restrictive rating according to an FOI which detailed complaints dealt with by the Irish Film Classification Office.
An ad featuring a gay couple kissing, distressing trailers, and the misleading use of the word “live” for a screening of an Andre Rieu concert were among the complaints made over the past year.
Just a single objection has been received this year after cinemas were forced to shut because of Covid-19.
One complaint in January caused confusion after a viewer – who had brought their children to see Star Wars – said an advert before the film featured “two different fat couples” kissing.
Ger Connolly, director of film classification, said: “I would be grateful if you could be more specific about why you were taken aback.”
The person responded: “Just noticed on my autocorrect of word, so fat was incorrect … ad was a gay couple kissing quite passionately.”
They said they believed in equal rights but the advert was a “little inappropriate” for a younger audience.
Mr Connolly said the scene “would have no bearing on an age classification (being) awarded”.
Joker and Midsommar – generated more than one complaint with viewers suggesting both should have been given a higher age rating.
One said the screening of Joker was half-filled with young children and the film should have been rated 18.
They wrote: “Over half of the audience were under 16. Well under 16.
“One woman even recognised some of the children from her 12-year-old’s class.”
Mr Connolly said he was “very disappointed” to hear about
children attending and would be in contact with the cinema.
