Tracey Emin withdraws film

The artist refuses to release her directorial debut 'Top Spot' following the BBFC's decision to give it an 18 certificate.

Nov 17 2004

In a bold move, artist Tracey Emin has withdrawn her directorial debut, 'Top Spot', from release in UK cinemas because censors have slapped it with an 18 certificate.

The film, which tells the story of six teenage girls growing up and learning about life in Margate, reflects Emin's own difficult experiences growing up in the Kent town.

One scene however, concerning the suicide of one of the film's main characters, caused enough concern at the British Board of Film Classification for them to award the film an 18 certificate.

Emin complained last month that the rating would mean that the teenage audience 'Top Spot' was aimed at would not be able to see the film, but now the eccentric artist has gone one step further, withdrawing the film completely from UK release.

Sue Clark, the BBFC's director of communication, said: 'We have concerns and we know that from talking to professionals dealing with the 15-18 age group that suicide is a major problem'.

Nevertheless, the film will be shown on BBC3 later in the year, a fact that has yet further angered the artist: 'The ludicrous thing about the BBFC's decision,' Emin said, 'Is that the film is going to be shown over the Christmas season by the BBC and anyone will be able to watch it.'

Hamish McAlpine, owner of 'Top Spot's' distributor Tartan Films, was similarly surprised by the decision: 'The film was made specifically for 15-year-olds to try to advise and help them with the pitfalls of growing up in modern Britain.

'Now the film has been denied its audience it just seems pointless to release it,' he continued. 'Tracey was given the opportunity to mutilate her film to obtain a 15 certificate but quite rightly refused to accede the request.'

'Top Spot' will be screened on BBC3 in December.

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