On Good Friday, the last Friday before Easter, Christians commemorate Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. According to the Bible, he died on that day for the sins of mankind. Therefore, the day is a so-called “quiet holiday”. Certain public events, sporting activities and general noisy activities are restricted by law. Also, in many cases it is forbidden to show films that are considered offensive or incompatible with the nature of the silent holiday.
The idea of silent holidays is to give believers and society in general the opportunity to quietly celebrate and reflect on their religious or cultural beliefs. These are the days when special attention should be paid to people's feelings and customs.
Which movies are banned on Good Friday?
Since 1952, the revision committees of the FSK have decided whether a film can be shown during a silent holiday (so-called holiday approval). While the ban originally affected more than half of all theatrical films, today there are still about 700 films on the list, including:
- Exorcist of spirits
- Mad Max
- Hardcore
- The Belko experiment
- Atomic blonde
- Kingsman – The Golden Circle
- Friday the 13th.
- Terminator
- Scream
- Blade
- Rambo: Last Blood
- Mutton ram
- 28 days later
“Heidi in the Mountains” cannot be shown, nor can “Didi Hallervorden – Everything in a Bucket” or “Die Feuerzangenbowle”. “Max and Moritz” is also not allowed in cinemas and is therefore in good company with “Harald and Maude”.
The full list can be found here.
More than 700 films may not be shown in cinemas on public holidays
The holiday index actually has over 700 movies that are legally prohibited on the so-called silent holidays because they may offend religious sentiments. FSK (Voluntary Self-Control) is not only what a film must fulfill before it is made available for release; Even days like Good Friday and All Saints Day can get in the way of enjoying a movie. At least in principle.
“Less celebratory” movies are still allowed on streaming services and TV, and DVD and Blu-ray are no problem at home either – hardly anyone is standing at the door to see what movie is being watched.
In particular, the “index” applies to cinema. In addition, the eligibility of the film for the holiday is checked only if it has been actively requested to be released. In addition, each federal state can decide which film to ban and when. In principle, it is allowed to go to the cinema on Good Friday.
In the 1950s, 60 percent of films were banned
Compared to the 1950s, when 60 percent of films were classified as “non-holiday,” only one percent were banned between 2010 and 2015. The FSK reasons that values and norms have changed over time: “This situation reflects the change in social values and norms regarding media consumption on legally protected silent holidays.”
But media consumption also affects decisions: “If in the 1950s, in addition to the cinema as a public screening venue, only public broadcasting made films available to those interested, today a whole series of channels are available to those interested. – from video media to private broadcasters and pay-TV providers to video-on-demand offers – are available for movie consumption,” writes FSK.
Leave exemption can be applied for every 10 years
Films that have not been approved for the holidays can only apply for re-approval after ten years. The example of the classic “Feuerzangenbowle” shows that in hindsight it could work again.
In 1952, public holidays were not approved because, according to the commission, the “comic character” was “at odds with the seriousness of quiet holidays”. 26 years later, when the film was resubmitted for review, FSK not only changed the age limit from twelve to six, but also gave it a holiday rating.