Decision joins string of censorship rulings in the country in response to lobbying from traditionalist pressure group Promouvoir

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

A French court has banned Lars von Trier’s 2009 horror film Antichrist over its sexual and violent content.

Antichrist: a work of genius or the sickest film in the history of cinema? Read more

The decision was made this week after the Catholic traditionalist group Promouvoir had pushed for the film to be reclassified in order to prevent all under-18s from being able to see it. The film had previously held a 16 rating, which allowed anyone over that age to legally see it.

The certificate has now been removed and the film will be banned fom cinemas, TV and video until it is given a new classification. The ruling court claimed the culture ministry had made “a mistake” in the original decision.

The film stars Charlotte Gainsbourg and Willem Dafoe as a couple grieving for their son who move to a remote cabin in the woods, leading to a series of gruesome events. It was controversial on release due to its extreme violence and the unsimulated sex performed by the lead actors’ doubles.

The decision follows a number of stricter rulings made in French courts after pressure from Promouvoir. Last year, the lesbian romance Blue is the Warmest Colour had its 12 rating revoked because of its sexual content. The same group has also focused on Nymphomaniac and Fifty Shades of Grey.