New controversy over rape film

Fresh outrage is expected today after distributors arranged a sneak preview in London of a French film about serial rape featuring "relentless sex and violence".

Baise-Moi - released in America as Rape Me - was given an early screening for an audience that included film-maker members of Women In Film and Television. They are warned: "This is a highly controversial film and contains scenes of sex and violence which may cause offence."

Robin Duval, director of the British Board of Film Classification has admitted that the graphic sexual abuse scenes were hard to stomach. Nevertheless, the board has caused concern by passing it with an 18 certificate - and apologising for cutting a scene which glamorises violent rape.

That prompted shadow culture secretary Peter Ainsworth to say the board appeared to be "losing its grip".

Baise-Moi provoked such anger in France that it was temporarily removed from cinemas. The BBFC said the censored scene was too extreme even for R18 pornographic videos.

The controversy is the latest involving the board which has adopted a more liberal approach.

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