'Of Good Report' banned for child porn, first since 1994

A South African movie about a schoolteacher who falls for a student has become the first film to be banned since 1994.

The film "Of Good Report" was the first not to receive classification since the Film and Publication Board was created, Sunday Times reported.

According to the newspaper, the decision was made based on the depiction of a simulated sexual act involving the 16-year-old student, who was played by a 23-year-old actress.

"The child porn thing smacks of the greatest ignorance, incompetence and downright stupidity," director Jahmil XT Qubeka was quoted as telling the newspaper.

Board spokesman Prince Mlimandlela Ndamase reportedly told the Sunday Times the film was banned because it contained "content that carries an illegal act in it".

"We need to emphasise that, ordinarily, we would not refuse the right of viewers to see the content, but in the interests of the protection of the child and our laws that exist in the country, child pornography is one of these things that are not legally permissible in the country."

The film's producer, lawyer Michael Auret, had reportedly lodged an appeal against the board's ruling.

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