Fifty Shades available in Singapore uncut, with R21 rating

SINGAPORE - Unlike Malaysia, Singapore viewers will be able to see erotic movie Fifty Shades of Grey in cinemas here.

The 125-minute film, adapted from the best-selling novel of the same name by author E L James, will be available on screens this Thursday (Feb 12) uncut, but will come with a rating of R21 for mature theme and sexual scenes.

Last week, Malaysia announced that the movie will be banned there as they deem it to be more like pornography than a movie.

The movie is about the relationship between a literature student Anastasia “Ana” Steele, and Christian Grey, a wealthy young entrepreneur. They are instantly attracted to each other, and as their relationship develops, Grey reveals that he is only interested in a dominant-submissive physical relationship without romance, which she accommodates.

Reports say the racy film will include 20 minutes of lovemaking between Grey, played by British actor Jamie Dornan, and Steele, played by actress Melanie Griffith’s daughter Dakota Johnson.

In explaining the rating, the Media Development Authority (MDA) said on its website that the film is more appropriate under an R21 rating where the Classification Guidelines permit “stronger and more explicit portrayal and exploration of mature themes”. This is because the movie focuses “on a complex relationship, which is underpinned by an exploration of sexual practices”, it said.

MDA said the film also contains several sexual scenes where some form of BDSM practices are depicted, such as spanking or whipping, but those are either implied or kept brief. Overall, the sexual scenes are treated in a sensuous manner, it added.

MDA said the film can be contained under the Films Classification Guidelines, which state “scenes depicting sexual activities such as sadomasochism, bondage or sexual violence will be subject to strict review and may only be allowed under a higher rating, depending on the treatment and context. The content should also not be gratuitous or excessive”.

The novel is part of a trilogy, which has garnered a huge global following, selling over 100 million copies worldwide. Two sequels have already been planned, said director Sam Taylor-Johnson.