‘Obsession’ Director Curry Barker Says He Cut “Six Or Seven” Head Smashes In One Gory Scene To Avoid NC-17 Rating – SXSW
#Obsession #Curry Barker #NC-17 rating #head smashes #gory scene #SXSW #film editing #MPAA
📌 Key Takeaways
- Director Curry Barker removed multiple head smash scenes from 'Obsession' to avoid an NC-17 rating
- The cuts were made specifically to one particularly gory scene in the film
- Barker discussed the editing decisions during an event at SXSW
- The film's content required careful editing to meet MPAA rating standards
📖 Full Retelling
🏷️ Themes
Film Censorship, Horror Genre
📚 Related People & Topics
Motion Picture Association
American trade organization
The Motion Picture Association (MPA) is an American trade association representing the major film studios of the United States, the mini-major Amazon MGM Studios, as well as the video streaming services Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Founded in 1922 as the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors ...
Curry Barker
American director
Curry Barker is an American actor, filmmaker, and comedian. He is generally associated with the internet sketch comedy duo That's a Bad Idea alongside Cooper Tomlinson. He directed the horror film Obsession.
South by Southwest
American annual film and music festival
South by Southwest (SXSW) is an annual conglomeration of parallel film, interactive media, and music festivals and conferences organized jointly that take place in mid-March in Austin, Texas, United States. It began in 1987 and has continued growing in both scope and size every year. In 2017, the co...
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Deep Analysis
Why It Matters
This news matters because it reveals the practical compromises filmmakers make to navigate the Motion Picture Association's rating system, which directly impacts a film's commercial viability and audience reach. It affects directors, producers, and studios who must balance creative vision with market considerations, as an NC-17 rating can severely limit theatrical distribution and advertising opportunities. The story also highlights ongoing debates about censorship, artistic freedom, and how graphic violence is treated versus sexual content in American film ratings.
Context & Background
- The MPAA rating system (G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17) has been criticized for decades for inconsistent application, particularly regarding violence versus sexual content
- NC-17 ratings historically limit theatrical release options, as many major theater chains refuse to screen NC-17 films and many newspapers/magazines won't advertise them
- The 'Saw' and 'Hostel' franchises in the 2000s pushed boundaries of mainstream horror violence while maintaining R ratings through strategic editing
- Many directors including Quentin Tarantino and David Fincher have publicly criticized the MPAA's rating process as arbitrary and biased
What Happens Next
The film 'Obsession' will likely proceed with its planned release strategy following these edits, aiming for maximum theatrical distribution under an R rating. Industry observers will watch whether the edited version maintains the director's intended impact while satisfying rating requirements. The discussion may reignite broader conversations about MPAA reform ahead of the next major horror film facing similar rating challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
An R rating requires viewers under 17 to be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian, while NC-17 means no one under 17 admitted regardless of accompaniment. This significantly impacts box office revenue as NC-17 films face restricted theatrical distribution and advertising limitations.
NC-17 ratings severely limit commercial potential—major theater chains often refuse to screen NC-17 films, many media outlets won't advertise them, and some retailers won't stock them. This can reduce a film's revenue by millions compared to an R-rated version of the same film.
Yes, the MPAA has been consistently criticized for being more lenient with graphic violence than with sexual content. Films with extreme violence often receive R ratings while those with comparable sexual content frequently receive NC-17 ratings, creating what many call a double standard.
Filmmakers can release unedited versions through independent distributors, film festivals, or streaming platforms with fewer restrictions. Some directors release both edited theatrical versions and unrated director's cuts for home media, though this requires additional production and marketing costs.
Extremely common—most mainstream horror films undergo some editing to secure R ratings. The 'Saw' franchise became notorious for shooting alternate, less graphic versions of torture scenes specifically to satisfy MPAA requirements while maintaining the films' violent reputations.