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venture into the past, the present, and the gritty underbelly of the future.
"Video Nasty" (ARD)
Step back in time, as the 80s roll in with a chilling twist. This humorous series from the BBC, nestled perfectly between thriller, comedy, and coming-of-age, revolves around three pals from Dublin who amass a collection of forbidden films, dubbed Video Nasties. Titles like "Girl Murdered in the Woods Part 4" never felt so deadly. The friends’ quest for the final piece of their legendary horror films set leads them on a wild ride to England. There, their horror becomes all too real as the trio become entangled in a nightmarish murder investigation. "Video Nasty - Horror is Cult" boasts six gripping episodes, available in both German and English on the ARD media library.
For some historical context, explicit videos in the '80s indeed stirred quite a heated debate in both Great Britain and Ireland. Countless films were considered potentially dangerous to younger viewers and were eventually banned.
"Bono: Stories of Surrender" (Apple TV+)
Delve into the life of a legend with this film adaptation based on U2's lead singer Bono's one-man stage show and autobiography of the same name. "Bono: Stories of Surrender" takes audiences on an intimate journey, through family, friends, faith, and his extraordinary journey as an activist and rock star. The film showcases never-before-seen footage of Bono’s iconic concerts and legendary performances at New York's Beacon Theatre, available on Apple TV+ since May 30.
"Twisted Metal" (ZDF)
Jump headfirst into a marauding, post-apocalyptic USA with "Twisted Metal." The ten-part action series follows our hero, John Doe (Anthony Mackie), a package delivery man plowing through America with his souped-up Subaru. In the fortress-protected cities, life resembles a semblance of normalcy, but outside, it's a battle for survival. John receives an enticing offer: deliver a package across the country, and gain resident status in a city. Now streaming on ZDF's streaming portal.
"The Perfect Sister" (Prime Video)
"The Perfect Sister" is a riveting, eight-episode thriller series that delves into the complex relationship between two sisters, Chloe and Nicky. Chloe appears to have the ideal life as a successful careerwoman, married to a handsome man, and raising a son. But her seemingly perfect life comes crashing down when she finds her husband's blood-soaked body at home one night. As secrets unravel, they reveal a tangled web that questions the idyllic facade of the family. Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks star in this gripping series, available now on Prime Video.
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- ** Video Nasty Controversy
- Great Britain
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- Cultural Tensions
Cultural and Political Turmoil Fueling the Video Nasty Controversy
The Video Nasty controversy in the 1980s was a manifestation of the era's cultural and political tensions, welling up from broad societal fears and conservative values. Here are the key factors that ignited this tempest:
- Political Climate: Under the leadership of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the '80s government pushed for "Victorian values," placing emphasis on traditional family structures. This led to increased scrutiny of media content, and home video was singled out as unregulated and potentially damaging to public morality [1].
- Media and Public Outrage: British tabloids such as The Daily Mail and News of the World whipped up public outrage by sensationalizing horror fans as deviants and troublemakers. Campaign groups like Mary Whitehouse capitalized on this animosity to urge Parliament for stricter censorship [1].
- Cultural Anxiety: The fear of juvenile delinquency and the erosion of traditional values found an outlet in the Video Nasty scare. Horror films became a cultural scapegoat for broader societal anxieties [1].
- Legal Action: The British Board of Film Censors (BBFC) banned numerous horror and exploitation movies, labeling them as Video Nasties. Many films were poorly made but severely criticized for their perceived corruptive influence on the youth [3].
Notable Films and Their Impact
- "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" faced a ban in Britain until it was granted an 18 certificate in 1999 [5].
Ireland's Role in the Controversy
Although Ireland experienced similar censorship and bans on films during this period, the term "Video Nasties" was more closely associated with the British context. Nevertheless, films such as "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" were banned in Ireland, mirroring broader European concerns about explicit content [5].
Conclusion
The Video Nasty controversy in Great Britain serves as a symbol of the era’s cultural and political discord, embodying anxieties about moral decay and media's influence on society. While Ireland shared similar apprehensions, the term "Video Nasties" primarily encapsulates the British experience of censorship and public backlash in the '80s.
"The cultural turmoil surrounding the Video Nasty controversy in the 1980s in Great Britain was fueled by political, media, and cultural factors, ultimately leading to the banning of numerous horror films, such as 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,' by the British Board of Film Censors (BBFC)."
"'Video Nasty,' a BBC series portraying the adventure of three friends in Dublin, resurrects the controversial era by referencing the Video Nasty controversy, highlighting the societal debates and media controversies in Great Britain and Ireland, albeit in a humorous and fictionalized manner."
