The Licensing Sub-Committee of Portsmouth Council convened on Thursday 27 June 2024 to discuss the licensing application for the film Norwegian Democrazy under Section 20 of the Licensing Act 2003. The committee approved the application, allowing the film to be exhibited in local cinemas, following a detailed discussion on its content and classification.

Licensing Application for Norwegian Democrazy

The primary agenda item was the licensing application for the film Norwegian Democrazy. The application was made under Section 20 of the Licensing Act 2003, which governs the exhibition of films. The film's producers sought approval for its screening in local cinemas.

Content and Classification

The committee reviewed the film's content in accordance with the BBFC classification guidelines. The discussion focused on the film's themes, language, and scenes of violence. Councillors expressed concerns about certain scenes but acknowledged the film's artistic and cultural value.

Councillor Jane Smith noted,

While the film contains some strong language and scenes of violence, it also provides a significant cultural commentary that is valuable to our community.

Decision

After deliberation, the committee decided to approve the licensing application, allowing Norwegian Democrazy to be exhibited in local cinemas. The decision was made with the understanding that the film would be classified appropriately to inform potential viewers of its content.

The approval was seen as a balance between upholding community standards and supporting artistic expression. The committee's decision aligns with Portsmouth Council's previous statements on promoting cultural activities and supporting the local arts scene.

For more details, the full Public reports pack and Agenda frontsheet are available online.