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We don’t yet know when IFC will release Antichrist, the firebrand Cannes entry from Lars Von Trier, in the US. But now thanks to Twitch we do know that UK audiences will see the film on July 24. And they’ll see it uncut, which most American moviegoers might not get to do. More details after the jump.

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has been notoriously cautious in the past, but recently has begun to loosen up a bit. The uncut passing of Antichrist, which features some extremely graphic scenes that I won’t spoil here (on the off chance you care and haven’t had them spoiled already), is a notable move by the board. Curzon Artifical Eye will release the film with an 18 Certificate, and the company seems pretty pleased. “There is no doubt that Antichrist is a controversial film but it’s our duty as a distributor to present the works of talented directors such as Lars Von Trier in their original form exactly as the director intended,” said CEO Phillip Knatchbull. “We fully support the BBFC’s decision to allow people to make up their own minds about this film.”

So what about the US release? IFC has the film, and Anne Thompson recently reported (about halfway down that linked page) that only folks on the coasts might see the uncut version in theatres. She says the label will show it uncut in ‘a few US cinemas’ then work with Trier to cut the film for an On Demand presentation. Which seems really odd. Why not run the uncut film on VOD, too? Or if a cut version has to be created, make both available? Knowing the gory details of the film, it’s difficult to imagine how Trier would trim it and keep the total impact of the project. My understanding of Antichrist is that it is deliberately confrontational, but also deeply personal. (It’s the project Lars Von Trier used to combat a period of deep depression.) Altering it at this point would, ironically, seem to neuter it.

  • Living in Denmark, I've seen Antchrist. Watching a censored version of this movie is like watching a Transformers movie where all the action scenes have been taken out.

    Now. I didn't like the film. It's interesting, but just not my type of movie. Would be interesting though to see what the filmcast people though of it?
  • Well I'm counting myself lucky to live in a coastal city where it WILL screen, but man, another reason to despise IFC. Are they concerned someone will rent it on demand not knowing what it is and then be outraged... But with a title like Antichrist. I can only assume that is the concern.
  • matt
    Yay. The BBFC have been a lot better over the past few years, far better than the MPAA at least.
  • Can't wait for this.
  • "Altering it at this point would, ironically, seem to neuter it."

    i see what you did there.
  • Lars
    I am the greatest director in the world. I don't think I will even release Antichrist in the United States. You are too stupid to understand it. I am going to direct the new Buffy the Vampire Slayer and kill Buffy in the first minute. Do you know why? Because I hate you. I feel very depressed.
  • Is Lars Von Trier going to direct Buffy?
  • bb6640
    You know, I am completely against a Buffy re-boot/re-make with Joss... However I would pay good money and then some to see Lars Von Trier Buffy. Just saying.
  • Fake Lars
    Let's start a rumor right here.

    Lars Von Trier to take Buffy the Vampire Slayer in a new direction.

    "Yes, I am going to direct it. You know, I think Buffy imagines all of this. She is very sick, very depressed. And she just kills people she thinks are vampires. And she has a boyfriend Angel whom she killed. And she invents this whole story because if Angel is a vampire then he can come back to life."
  • Stein
    Having seen Antichrist in its uncut version I really don't see what the fuzz is all about. This whole movie's been blown out of proportion, thanks to the idiot reporters at Cannes. Or should I say: The focus has been misplaced. Instead of appreciating the 95% of this movie that's a work of art, many choose to focus on the 5% of explicit scenes. (The 5% of explicit scenes that help make this movie a work of art). My personal opinion is that this movie's one of Von Triers best. Von Triers one of those directors that dares to make his own movies. He doesn't care what audiences think, or critics for that matter. As he says himself he makes the movies for himself. If you don't like it, that's your problem. So, don't mind what the censors, or the critics mean, just see it for yourself and make up your own mind.
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