Last week, the unrated version of Lars von Trier’s new horror film The House That Jack Built was show on 140 theater screens nationwide, making nearly $200,000 in one night! Those screenings unfortunately led to IFC Films being in trouble with the MPAA. In short, IFC's decision to show the film so close to the film's rated "R" release violated the group's rules and IFC faces possible sanctions over the matter.
The official statement released last week states that the MPAA has, “communicated to the distributor, IFC Films, that the screening of an unrated version of the film in such close proximity to the release of the rated version – without obtaining a waiver – is in violation of the rating system’s rules. The effectiveness of the MPAA ratings depends on our ability to maintain the trust and confidence of American parents. That’s why the rules clearly outline the proper use of the ratings. Failure to comply with the rules can create confusion among parents and undermine the rating system – and may result in the imposition of sanctions against the film’s submitter."
The effects of all of this? Well, the "R" rated version of the film is still slated to release in theaters and on VOD on December 14th, as originally planned, but Slate has reported that the release of the "Director's Cut" has been delayed as a result. They say that cut of the film won't be released until June 2019.
The unrated version is approximately four minutes long and features significantly more violence in comparison to the rated cut.
