'Lust, Caution' Sets Off Frenzy of Virus and Anti-Sex Warnings
It wasn't all that long ago that director Ang Lee was opening eyes and pushing boundaries with 'Brokeback Mountain,' a film about sweaty cowboy man love. Now he's back with another controversial film, but this one's stirring up a different sort of controversy, this time in China. The hullabaloo features an interesting mix of warnings from a variety of sources, including both physicians and computer scientists who are all urging caution in viewing the film.
The first warning appears to be intended to stop Chinese computer users from downloading illegal copies of the film. A Chinese anti-virus company is saying that those copies of the film that can be found online come with a virus. The firm isn't detailing just what virus it is, but says the virus contains code to snag user passwords.
The second warning comes from Chinese physicians who warn that the ... erm ... extreme sexual positions demonstrated in the uncensored version of the film (which is seven minutes longer than the heavily censored version shown in China) rely on "abnormal body positions." They advise that only women with "comparatively flexible bodies that have gymnastics or yoga experience" dare try them, or risk "unnecessary physical harm."
We're not sure how much of these examples are sound warnings from concerned experts, and how much is a sort of combo smear-campaign against both illegal downloading and illicit films. We here in America think that if you're planning on seeing this film -- and we don't recommend it since it's likely to be an illegal copy -- you should fire up your virus scanner and either do a few stretches, or call up that gymnast you dated in college.
From Reuters
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Vahn @ Nov 20th 2007 9:01PM
WTF?
Dyan @ Nov 20th 2007 9:36PM
Well, whatever it's about I'll bet it's another great film by Ang Lee.
Anthony @ Nov 21st 2007 6:30AM
What's the best way to stop Americans from downloading the video...tell them there is a virus attached. I don't believe it for a minute.
Rubez @ Nov 21st 2007 7:31AM
hahaha, "Anthony" you don't believe it huh? Why not download it and tell us what happens lol
David @ Nov 21st 2007 7:42AM
HUH???
web @ Nov 21st 2007 7:48AM
I missed something
Jose Gamerro @ Nov 21st 2007 8:48AM
Sounds like another boring, creepy sex flick. Anyone who'd pay admission to such tripe would be an idiotic and a loser.
Cat @ Nov 21st 2007 9:12AM
"Brokeback Mountain," though the sex scene was a little uncomfortable, was an amazing movie. I have no doubt this will be anything less, and if I see it, I'd definitely see the cut version. (As I said, "Brokeback" was amazing, but I don't think I could take a seven minute-long sex scene. Oy.)
cinowens @ Nov 21st 2007 9:36AM
Jose Gamerro, I think I love you. It's very refreshing to hear that a man is not interested in seeing a creepy sex flick. You give me hope, and your woman is very lucky.
Minette Sweeney @ Nov 21st 2007 9:46AM
Hmmmm, warnings like these seem to guarantee people wanting to see it. Smart marketing move...
Kim @ Nov 21st 2007 9:53AM
Sounds to me like just another way to try to "censor" what we the people "decide" to watch! Are we not living in a free country? Do we not have choices? If you are uncomfortable with sex scenes, violence, gore, etc. then don't see the movie! If you are more "open minded," then go see it. It's a choice, plan and simple!
Anne @ Nov 21st 2007 10:08AM
It looks amazing, it's clearly a story of love and deception that happens to have some of the things that go on in a romantic relationship shown in explicit detail.
So all of you who say movies with sex in them are disgusting, have you never had sex with your spouses? Not just a shared hour of passion for the heck of it?
I'd see it if it became available on DVD here in the states, but the way the article is written, it's only being released outside the country.
PS
I have trouble watching explicit sex as well, but that doesn't mean I don't want to see the entire movie.
NcT @ Nov 21st 2007 10:10AM
This is a beautiful film -I saw it last month.
The sex scene is beautifully done and sensual - it is NOT porn, but it is stark. How can people condem beautiful love making versus blood & guts in a shoot 'em up movie?
I also saw American Gangster the other night - it has many grafic murder scenes, but no one is condeming that film. In fact the main character, a drug dealer, comes off as a hero.
magua1196 @ Nov 21st 2007 10:21AM
The trailer looks like something I would watch. If that little scene was too much I may just FF it.(or maybe not) I think it's all just hype.
hopper62 @ Nov 21st 2007 11:11AM
AND PEOPLE WONDER WHY THERE ARE SOOOO MANY YOUNG CHILDREN HAVING SEX! THIS WORLD IS IN THE TOLIET!!!
Karen @ Nov 21st 2007 11:13AM
I didn't see Brokeback Mountain (because none of my friends, all male, would go see it with me).
This looks like an excellent film though, and I would go see it. As far as explict sex scenes goes, the sex scene where Brad Pitt as Death is having sex for the first time in the movie Meet Joe Black comes to mind. Maybe not as explict as some sex scenes can be or even as explicit as this one must be, but if THAT one can make you uncomfortable, then all will.
Barbara Johnson @ Nov 21st 2007 12:11PM
Enough already with nudity and sex scenes in films. We've seen so much of it by now, that frankly, it's getting rather boring. Actors have become like dogs in the street.
shanehuff @ Nov 21st 2007 12:54PM
Brokeback Mountain was an awsome movie. I am married and I love women but it still was a great movie. Come on people SEX sells. This movie looks to be very good also. Most women now days are like this, they have sex with men to get something in return. Very few people make love any more, they have sex for money, information, or some other agenda.
Lizzychan @ Nov 21st 2007 12:54PM
what's with all this complaining??? If you don't like the movie don't watch it, more movies like these won't be made unless YOU pay to see them.
This movie obviously was never intended for kids and if your kids do somehow watch it, shame on you! Its your own fault for allowing them to see it! No one else is to blame for your own kids bad behavior.
Mondo @ Nov 21st 2007 1:00PM
LOL all u weirdos complaining about sex in movies!!! then dont watch it!... while your at it y dont u all reproduce asexually since WHAT COMES NATURALLY to humans makes you so uncomfortable LOL... u people are the real sickos here LOL