Captivity Film Ads Pulled from Public Consumption by Film's Producers

MPAA Unsure How They Will Deal with Situation

By Kel K, published Mar 20, 2007
Published Content: 57  Total Views: 125,447  Favorited By: 35 CPs
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Rating: 4.4 of 5
In an era in which film-goers just can't seem to get enough of torture films such as Saw and Hostel, After Dark Films has apparently found where the movie-going public draws the line on movie-based violence and imagery.

After posting a number of posters and ads for the upcoming film Captivity across Los Angeles and New York City on billboards and taxis, those who viewed the ads besieged the MPAA with phone calls demanding the ads be removed. The ads depicted the film's star, Elisha Cuthbert, in various states of peril in a succession of events that leads to her death.

The first image depicted Elisha being abducted with the word, "abduction," emblazoned above her. A gloved hand was seen forcing Elisha into silence and beginning the train of events in which the ad led on-lookers.

The second image revealed the second part of the dance, titled "confinement." In this poster, we can see Elisha being restrained behind a fence as one of her mangled fingers pokes through in an obvious attempt to reach the outside world. Amazingly, her eyes seem to be staring out at her "audience" wantonly.

But wait! It gets better. The third image reveals what is titled as "torture." Now, we see the star bound and her face covered in gauze. A tube runs up Cuthbert's nose, blood running through the tube as her eyes peer out at onlookers.

The fourth depiction and final conclusion is of Cuthbert's body, limp and lifeless. With her head toppled backward and one breast nearly hanging out of her top, there will be no hearing this woman roar.

After Dark Films has agreed to pull the ads from public consumption. What remains ultimately obvious is how no one is taking responsibility for the ad campaign.

After Dark Films claims that they were not involved in the placement of the ads and that releasing the ads was "an accident." Executives from After Dark cited that they were out of pocket while attending ShoWest in Las Vegas when the ads went public.

Lionsgate, the film's distributor, claims that they had no involvement whatsoever in the placing of the ads.

Obviously, no one wants the blame.

Captivity Film Ads Pulled from Public Consumption by Film's Producers

Just because you're buried alive doesn't mean you should have to obscure your curvaceous figure.

Credit: Foresight Unlimited

Copyright: Foresight Unlimited

Takeaways
  • As of March 20, the controversial ads were being pulled from billboards and taxis.
  • The MPAA had not approved the ads before going public.
  • Neither After Dark Films nor Lionsgate have taken responsibility for the placing of the ads.
Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 15 of 18
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to see the billboard in LA before it was pulled, this guy has one of only photos I could find online. http://askmepc.com/page17.html

Posted on 07/20/2007 at 4:07:00 PM

 
Oh, this movie looks creepy. I love horror flicks but torture flicks are a bit much. Love the caption to the pic. Very clever.

Posted on 07/12/2007 at 2:07:00 AM

 
Interesting.

Posted on 04/06/2007 at 8:04:00 PM

 
I had not heard about this.Great article!

Posted on 04/05/2007 at 10:04:00 AM

 
Thanks Kay and Nick! :D

Posted on 03/28/2007 at 10:03:00 PM

 
I gave you five stars. Great article!

Posted on 03/28/2007 at 6:03:00 PM

 
I personally like to see posters like this. People dont like the see the way the world really is. Its the dark side of the world, yes, but it DOES happen to some people. Great article

Posted on 03/28/2007 at 10:03:00 AM

 
Thanks, Secret! :)

Posted on 03/27/2007 at 9:03:00 PM

 
Very good and I agree with you. i get tired of being accosted by posters and ads showing torture. shudder, and i gave you a five!

Posted on 03/27/2007 at 5:03:00 PM

 
Shan: Definitely. I had paid little attention to this film before all this. Thanks for commenting and rating! :D

Posted on 03/27/2007 at 4:03:00 PM

 
Legbamel: I don't know that any of them would have offended me. I do find the torture one disturbing and, usually, I expect to see that if I go to see the movie, but not before. I definitely think the ads might have a place, but I'm not sure rush hour traffic is that place. ;) Thanks for leaving me a comment! :D

Posted on 03/27/2007 at 4:03:00 PM

 
Good article with a high 5. Ofcourse, no one is going to take the blame, they've already accomplished what they wanted. The publicity has already made its impact. Then the advertizers run. The photo caption IS hilarious. ;-)

Posted on 03/27/2007 at 3:03:00 PM

 
They wouldn't have offended me, but I don't really think my 4-year-old is ready to deal with such graphic content just yet. Interesting article!

Posted on 03/27/2007 at 9:03:00 AM

 
I had no idea about this "incident." I feel very informed now.

Posted on 03/22/2007 at 11:03:00 AM

 
Thanks, Mark! :)

Posted on 03/21/2007 at 10:03:00 PM

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