ANP extension
ANNOUNCEMENTS••Edited
In response to complaints about violence, the age recommendation is for the Dutch family film twenty years old Peter Bell adapted to 12 years and over. The non-profit organization will investigate whether the film can still be shown on New Year’s Eve, now that it is no longer considered suitable for young children.
Producer Dave Schram is considering legal action against Kijkwijzer, the organization that determines age limits. The producers, cast and crew suffer financial damage as a result of the decision, says the director.
New guidelines
Director Tiffany van Stormbroek of Nicam, the organization to which Kijkwijzer is a member, tells the ANP that several complaints have been received about it Peter Bell. Kijkwijzer previously reported that there was only one complaint. According to Van Stormbroek, the complainants say that young children have been having nightmares because of scenes in the film where violence against children can be seen.
Schram thinks one of the complaints might relate to a scene in which Pietje Bell is beaten by her father. The boy then says that his father had never hit him before. “But it’s not a blow, it’s quite educational. So it seems to me that they are therefore adjusting the age advice.” The Kijkwijzer was unavailable on Saturday to explain in which part of the film the violence would occur.
After the age range adjustment announced yesterday, today there are many complaints from people who find it strange that the family film is no longer approved for children.
Schram says Kijkwijzer may have been wrong. “Then obviously there’s nothing wrong and I obviously won’t take action.” He today he says he will hear if there was a mistake. “I can’t imagine there’s a moment in the film where anyone would take offense. It’s such a sweet and funny family film.”
James Bond
Peter Bell was released twenty years ago and has attracted nearly a million cinemagoers, many of them children. The main roles are played by Quinten Schram, Angela Groothuizen and Katja Herbers. She and the crew still receive money for the number of times the film is watched on online streaming services.
Previously, according to Kijkwijzer, the film was suitable for all ages. Director Schram finds it strange that his film now has the same age recommendation of violent films as James Bond Of Spiderman.
Pietje Bell Trailer:
Schram wants to know what is “suddenly” wrong with his film after twenty years. He also finds it odd that Kijkwijzer didn’t contact him before the age advice was adequate. “It seems to me that this is a normal course of events.”
Previously, Schram called the Kijkwijzer an outdated system that is easy to manipulate. The age recommendation of his film Mike says hi became in 2013 also fixed after two complaints.
Other productions for which the age recommendation has recently changed are the film A year of your life due to alcohol and drugs, among other things, and season 20 of South Park due to foul language.
