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Webber Wentzel

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We successfully represented renowned cartoonist, Zapiro and the producers of a new documentary film, The Showerhead, in their appeal against the Film and Publications Board's (FPB) classification of a film about Zapiro's life and cartoons.   Despite the film's significant social and political relevance, the FPB assigned it a 16 LNP(SV) rating, to prevent younger audiences from watching the movie. The Showerhead follows Zapiro’s journey from being an anti-apartheid struggle artist to becoming a leading voice for progressive values and freedom of expression. Even though Zapiro's cartoons are widely analysed and discussed in schools across South Africa, the FPB’s Classification Committee imposed the 16 LNP(SV) restriction, labelling the film obscene. The Committee argued that Zapiro’s criticism of Zuma amounted to prejudice and hate speech, citing a perceived one-sided political agenda. They also claimed that scenes of strong language, nudity, prejudice, and implied sexual violence justified the strong age restriction. In response, highlighted a pattern of institutional censorship, referencing the Committee’s historical decision in The Spear (where we acted for the Goodman Gallery and artist Brett Murray).   On 9 September 2024, the Appeals Tribunal ruled that the initial 16 LNP(SV) rating was unjustified. The Showerhead has now received a rating of 13 L(SV), which our client believes is fair.   The Showerhead opens this Friday, September 13th, at select cinemas in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Pretoria   The Webber Wentzel team consisted of Dario Milo, Odwa Abraham and Clio Edwards. Counsel on brief was Advocate Ben Winks.

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