Justifying the censorship of A Serbian Film in the U.S.

In response to numerous complaints about the removal of "approximately 30 seconds" from A Serbian Film for  its upcoming US release on DVD, Invincible Films, the U.S. distributor, posted the following on the film's Facebook page today:

"We do not condone censorship of any kind but there are some serious legal risks to releasing this film uncut, and if you have been following the news surrounding this film you know what they are. The distributor is simply not willing to take those risks regardless of the potential financial benefit. We want this film to be released as the filmmakers intended but as long as there are DA's out there looking to make a name for themselves and outdated laws the distributors are not in a position to be pioneering for free speech."

I said in my original post I didn't think the film stood a chance of getting an unedited release and while I too, don't condone censorship, I think Invincible is making the right call here. A completely unedited version would almost certainly have child porn charges brought against them and why would a small company like Invincible want to willingly expose itself to a legal fight that will probably cost more than the film will ever make? To appease a small fringe of the horror market? I wouldn't do it either.

[SPOILER ALERT!!!]

Now here's some red meat for all the "purists"- having seen the film uncut and in a theater, I'm not so sure A Serbian Film, as much I respect it, doesn't cross over the line into what's illegal to distribute or exhibit in this country. Everyone who's followed the film's controversies around the globe knows exactly which scenes will be cut. So who wants to go on record as saying "Yes, I really do want to see simulated acts of "newborn porn" and and the incestuous rape of a small child completely un-cut- it's my right!" Seriously?

If you don't get to see an un-edited version, believe me, you won't be worse off for missing those 30 seconds. In fact, I'd say Invincible is probably doing you a favor. Even with the minor cuts, it's still likely to be way too much for most audiences- but you can find out for yourself on October 25th- and then decide if you really want to see more.