Daily Telegraph (UK) Article

February 1, 2000

Greene film's sex scenes defended by Fiennes
By Nicole Martin

RALPH Fiennes, who stars in The End of the Affair, criticised British film censors yesterday for giving the film of Graham Greene's novel an 18 certificate.

Fiennes, who plays a novelist, said it was absurd that the British Board of Film Classification had reacted so strongly to two scenes in which he and his co-star are filmed simulating sex.

"I don't think the sexuality in the film is sadistic, abusive or based on violence or control. It's mutually consenting adults making love," he said. Julianne Moore, who plays a married woman having an affair, with the Fiennes character, agreed: "It's not about titillation and it's not lascivious. My grandparents have seen the film and they weren't upset."

Stephen Woolley, the producer, said the censors' decision was "ludicrous". There was a double standard which meant that violence had become acceptable on screen.

Sue Clark, of the film board, said: "It's the intensity and tone of the sex scenes that made the film fall within our 18 guidelines."