Rob Zombie’s highly-anticipated film 31 will soon premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival in January, followed by release on DVD later in the year.
Part of the prep to get the film ready for theatrical release is for it to get its rating from the Motion Pictures Association of America. Two cuts were given for ranking. It’s not that surprising that because of its content, both versions scored a NC-17 rating. This means that unless some of the more controversial scenes are edited or cut, 31 will not be able to be shown in theaters.
Zombie posted this comment on Facebook about the ranking:
According to the MPAA, 31 contains “sadistic graphic violence, bizarre sexuality/nudity, pervasive disturbing images and some strong language.” Of course it does, it’s a Rob Zombie film. We have come to expect those things from Zombie.
31 follows a group of five carnival workers, kidnapped just before Halloween. The group is held in a compound known as “Murder World”. If they can survive for twelve hours against a group of psychos dressed as twisted clowns, they will be set free. The film stars Sheri Moon Zombie, Meg Foster, Jeff Daniel Phillips, Tracy Walter, Poncho Moler, Jane Carr, Lew Temple, Ginger Lynn, Daniel Roebauck, E.G. Daily, David Ury, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Judy Geeson, Torsten Voges, Bari Suzuki, Richard Brake, Devin Sidell and Malcolm McDowell.
Hopefully the problem will be worked out soon. It would be a shame if the film couldn’t be seen in theaters.