British film censors are to take a more relaxed attitude to sex in films for adults after the public told them they would rather make up their own minds on what is acceptable on the big screen. The Guardian newspaper reported on Friday that censors had pledged to only 'rarely cut' explicit scenes from 18-rated films, although the sex would have to be depicted as part of 'responsible, loving and developing relationships'. Casual sex would still be 'handled responsibly'. The British Board Of Film Classification (BBFC) decided to ease its stance after a six-month consultation process with the public, the newspaper said.

But it added that the new liberal attitude for films aimed at 18-year-olds and above would mean a tougher line on violence and bad language in films for a younger audience. Strong language would 'only be rarely acceptable' in 15-rated films. British censors lost a legal battle in May to ban the sale of explicit pornographic videos in sex shops.
The High Court in London rejected a challenge by the BBFC against a decision by its own video appeals committee to permit seven explicit films -- including such titles as 'Horny Catbabe'' and 'Nympho Nurse Nancy' -- to be sold in sex shops.

Bureau Report