Spoilers ahead for A Star Is Born.
As Awards Season slowly approaches, moviegoers should expect to see plenty of Oscar bait hitting theaters in the next few months. First up to bat was Bradley Cooper's directorial debut A Star Is Born, starring he and pop star turned actress Lady Gaga. A third remake of the classic tale, Cooper brought an emotionally devastating drama to audiences, but it looks like the ending was especially intense for New Zealand moviegoers.
A Star Is Born contains an emotional gut punch, as Bradley Cooper's Jackson Maine hangs himself in his garage during the third act. This sequence proved especially upsetting for New Zealand audiences, so literature is being distributed during screenings, containing a trigger warning about a suicidal scene. While potentially a major spoiler for the contents of the film, it's a change that New Zealand film classification board head David Shanks believes is necessary after complaints started rolling in.
David Shanks recently made a statement about this decision, saying:
Many people in New Zealand have been impacted by suicide. For those who have lost someone close to them, a warning gives them a chance to make an informed choice about watching.
This comment, which comes to us from The Guardian, helps to bring context to the New Zealand film classification board's decision. The film industry has become much more cognizant of how movies affect audiences, especially when it comes to sensitive subjects like suicide. And that's also the case in New Zealand specifically.
Jackson's suicide in A Star Is Born is truly harrowing, especially the way Bradley Cooper's direction brought the terrible event to life. The jaded rock star actually made a previous attempt on his own life as a young boy. This exposition is delivered as almost an anecdote by Jackson, but it becomes clear that the event stuck with him.
After believing he will ruin Ally's life and career, Jackson lives his final day. He says goodbye to his wife and adorable dog, and hangs himself in the garage in a silent and haunting sequence. It's undoubtedly hard to sit through, and brings the momentum and joy of Jackson's newfound sobriety to a screeching halt. It also leaves Lady Gaga's character despondent while mourning.
While no doubt triggering for many, Bradley Cooper's direction of A Star Is Born kept the event offscreen, which is both understated and arguably more powerful as a choice. Moviegoers were privy to the moments before and after Jackson took his own life, with his dog's distress echoing what audiences felt in that moment.
A Star Is Born is still in theaters now. Be sure to check out our 2019 release list to plan your trips to the movies in the New Year.
The film is rated M in New Zealand — "unrestricted, suitable for 16 years and over" — similar to its classification in Australia. Country changes 'A Star Is Born' rating after complaints Home
A Star Is Born Rating Changed In New Zealand After Teens Are
The A Star is Born rating has been amended in New Zealand after Chief Censor David Shanks reportedly received complaints from health providers and the Mental Health Foundation over a pivotal scene
A Star Is Born Rating Changed in New Zealand Over Ending
New Zealand's film classification board successfully lobbied to get a content warning added to the beginning of A Star Is Born, after multiple viewers reportedly complained about the film's
The head of the New Zealand film classification board is explaining his reasoning over the rating change of Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga's acclaimed movie, A Star Is Born. David Shanks tells the Guardian that he demanded a new warning be issued as teens were "severely triggered" over the film's final scene.
New Zealand changes 'A Star Is Born' rating after complaints
'A Star Is Born' rating changed in New Zealand after teens
The film is rated M in New Zealand — "unrestricted, suitable for 16 years and over" — similar to its classification in Australia. New Zealand changes 'A Star Is Born' rating after
'A Star Is Born' rating changed in New Zealand after teens
A Star Is Born contains an emotional gut punch, as Bradley Cooper's Jackson Maine hangs himself in his garage during the third act. This sequence proved especially upsetting for New Zealand
'A Star is Born' Rating Changed In New Zealand | Billboard
A Star Is Born Rating Changed in New Zealand After Teens Were 'Severely Triggered' Over Ending A Star Is Born is getting a new rating in New Zealand after complaints that the ending was too
New Zealand changes 'A Star Is Born' rating after complaints
The head of the New Zealand film classification board is explaining his reasoning over the rating change of Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga's acclaimed movie, A Star Is Born. David Shanks tells the Guardian that he demanded a new warning be issued as teens were "severely triggered" over the film's final scene.
A Star Is Born classification changed after New Zealand teens
Warning: This article contains a major spoiler for A Star Is Born. The head of the New Zealand film classification board is explaining his reasoning over the rating change of Bradley Cooper and
New Zealand Adds Warning to A Star Is Born After Teens Triggered
Nov 06, 2018 · The head of the New Zealand film classification board, David Shanks, has demanded a new warning be added to prints of the Oscar-tipped remake of A Star Is Born. The film now comes with a suicide
New Zealand changes 'A Star Is Born' rating after complaints
