Visions of Ecstasy
Encyclopedia
Visions of Ecstasy is a 1989 short (19 minutes) film directed by Nigel Wingrove
.
It was refused certification by the British Board of Film Classification
because of scenes featuring a sexualised representation of Saint Teresa of Ávila
caressing the body of Jesus on the cross. The BBFC felt that the scenes could potentially make the film liable to prosecution for the common law offence of blasphemous libel
. As cutting the scenes would remove approximately half of the film's content, the board decided to refuse certification altogether. The distributor took his case to the European Court of Human Rights
where the BBFC's decision to reject certification was upheld.
Michael Newman, a secondary school science teacher and an atheist, was arrested under England’s blasphemy law for selling Wingrove's blasphemous video, “Visions of Ecstasy” in February 1992 in Birmingham. His arrest was reported in the Birmingham daily press and The Guardian. He repeated the act of selling the video in public, near to Canterbury Cathedral, reported by Kent Mercury on its front page. He debated with the Bishop of Rochester on morning BBC Radio Kent. He was forced to resign from his school position due to protests from Christian parents, the headteacher wanted Michael to inform all future schools he applied to of his arrest. Michael sought support from 'Article 18' who offered to help, but he decided that it would ultimately not be in the interest of the school children he had taught if he was to fight publicly.He appeared on Channel Four’s “Comment” quoting Francesco Ferrer, "Let no more gods or exploiters be served. Let us learn rather to love each other." Written on his prison cell wall before he was unjustly executed by a military court martial.
The blasphemy laws in the UK were repealed in 2008, and there are now plans to release the film. A date has not yet been announced.
Nigel Wingrove
Nigel Wingrove , is the founder of the horror film company Redemption Films and the Salvation Group and creator of the online alternative female collective, Satanic Sluts...
.
It was refused certification by the British Board of Film Classification
British Board of Film Classification
The British Board of Film Classification , originally British Board of Film Censors, is a non-governmental organisation, funded by the film industry and responsible for the national classification of films within the United Kingdom...
because of scenes featuring a sexualised representation of Saint Teresa of Ávila
Teresa of Ávila
Saint Teresa of Ávila, also called Saint Teresa of Jesus, baptized as Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada, was a prominent Spanish mystic, Roman Catholic saint, Carmelite nun, and writer of the Counter Reformation, and theologian of contemplative life through mental prayer...
caressing the body of Jesus on the cross. The BBFC felt that the scenes could potentially make the film liable to prosecution for the common law offence of blasphemous libel
Blasphemous libel
Blasphemous libel was originally an offence under the common law of England. It is an offence under the common law of Northern Ireland. It is a statutory offence in Canada and New Zealand...
. As cutting the scenes would remove approximately half of the film's content, the board decided to refuse certification altogether. The distributor took his case to the European Court of Human Rights
European Court of Human Rights
The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg is a supra-national court established by the European Convention on Human Rights and hears complaints that a contracting state has violated the human rights enshrined in the Convention and its protocols. Complaints can be brought by individuals or...
where the BBFC's decision to reject certification was upheld.
Michael Newman, a secondary school science teacher and an atheist, was arrested under England’s blasphemy law for selling Wingrove's blasphemous video, “Visions of Ecstasy” in February 1992 in Birmingham. His arrest was reported in the Birmingham daily press and The Guardian. He repeated the act of selling the video in public, near to Canterbury Cathedral, reported by Kent Mercury on its front page. He debated with the Bishop of Rochester on morning BBC Radio Kent. He was forced to resign from his school position due to protests from Christian parents, the headteacher wanted Michael to inform all future schools he applied to of his arrest. Michael sought support from 'Article 18' who offered to help, but he decided that it would ultimately not be in the interest of the school children he had taught if he was to fight publicly.He appeared on Channel Four’s “Comment” quoting Francesco Ferrer, "Let no more gods or exploiters be served. Let us learn rather to love each other." Written on his prison cell wall before he was unjustly executed by a military court martial.
The blasphemy laws in the UK were repealed in 2008, and there are now plans to release the film. A date has not yet been announced.