"The MPAA has rejected the one-sheet for Alex Gibney's documentary "Taxi to the Dark Side," which traces the pattern of torture practice from Afghanistan's Bagram prison to Abu Ghraib to Guantanamo Bay. [...] The image in question is a news photo of two U.S. soldiers walking away from the camera with a hooded detainee between them." (story)
"'Not permitting us to use an image of a hooded man that comes from a documentary photograph is censorship, pure and simple,' said producer, writer and director Gibney. 'Intentional or not, the MPAA's disapproval of the poster is a political act, undermining legitimate criticism of the Bush administration. I agree that the image is offensive; it's also real.' [...] The 'Taxi' ad art is actually an amalgam of two pictures. The first, taken by Corbis photographer Shaun Schwarz, features the hooded prisoner and one soldier. Another military figure was added on the left. Ironically, the original Schwarz photo was censored by the military, which erased his camera's memory. The photographer eventually retrieved the image from his hard drive."
Comments (2)
This isn't censorship. Only prohibition by government can be considered censorship. In fact, the MPAA has no ability to deny use of the photo. They are merely denying the MPAA endorsement if the photo is used.
Posted by Menlo Bob
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December 25, 2007 4:10 AM
Posted on December 25, 2007 04:10
Your definition of censorship is too narrow and naive - but quite convenient for corporations or organizations such as the MPAA.
Posted by Joerg Colberg
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December 26, 2007 7:21 PM
Posted on December 26, 2007 19:21