Peru Tightens Film Censorship by Drastic Decree

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 14, 9 October 1937, Page 18

Peru Tightens Film Censorship by Drastic Decree

SANTIAGO.— Peru has xevised its film censorship by a decree signed by President Oscar B. Benavides, on the advice of the Ministry of Justice, Worship and Prisons. This revision, in volving appointment of paid nationalcensore, introduces . classification of all motion picture films in the interests oi public ethics. Klms will be classified thus: (1) suitable for mingrs, including children of both sexes above the age of 5 years; (2) suitable for adults, including persons of both sexes above the age of 18 years; (3) unsuitabla^for young women, accoiding to the judgment of the censorship. . Exhibitors will be • obliged to place these qualifications., in prominent typa and position in all newspapers and other advertisements. There are five articles in the law for the protection of minors' morals. Attendance is prohibited at any show of children under 5. Those under 10 are barred from night shows. In exhibitions styled as "suitable for minors" it is forbidden to screen synop&es or portions of films corresponding to a different category. Those under the age of 18 cannot seo a "suitable for adults" film, even' when accompanied by their elders or relations. Oxganized' religion and ethical societies will have their voices heard in filmdom, as the national board and censorship office are made dependencies of the Ministry of Justice, Worship and Prisons. Their influence is seen not only in the foregoing regulations for minors ' but in two additional articles which strictly forbid the "exhibition by means of engravings or in newspapers and leaflets of immoral scenes , or of those which incite to crim&" and the alteration without consent of the 1 censorship of tho original titles of the films. In Peru, as in most Latin American countries, translation of titles into Spanish provides the local market with the opportunity of putting some so* called "pep" into the films exhibition. Peruvian film censorship will be carried out by (1) paid censors and (2) the national censorship board. Paid censors will constitute the films censorship office, entrusted with censorship and administration duties. The duties board are to carry out the censorship when the paid officials request it — in reconsidering the judgement of censors

when the exhibitors aro not in agreement with it and in imposing fines for infringement of the law. Censorship revision charges are fixed at four gold centavos pet meter of speaking film, two gold centavos per meter of silent film. National publicity and educative films are exempt. Importation of films will; be centralized at Callao port. Heavy, graduated cash fines are provided for infractions of this law. Exhibition of a prohibited film, either whole or in part, involves temporary or

perxnanent closure of theatre.