BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR Lands an NC-17 Rating

In a not at all surprising move by the MPAA, Abdellatif Kechiche‘s Blue Is the Warmest Color has been given an NC-17 rating due to its graphic sex scenes.  This is slightly humorous considering being announced a week after the release of Kick-Ass 2, which is rated R, but is most certainly more inappropriate for minors.

Despite the rating, Sundance Selects/IFC Films president Jonathan Sehring will not be cutting the film and instead leaving it as is with the rating.  This marks the first NC-17 rated title released since last year’s Killer Joe.  Hit the jump for Sehring’s comments and more information.

This is a landmark film with two of the best female performances we have ever see on screen. The film is first and foremost a film about love, coming of age and passion. We refuse to compromise Kechiche’s vision by trimming the film for an R rating, and we have every confidence that Blue Is the Warmest Color will play in theaters around the country regardless.

You have to respect someone that values a director’s artistic integrity over how many theaters a movie gets exhibited in.

It’s also worth noting that the film received a “12” rating in France, meaning it’s inappropriate for viewers under 12 years old.  What does that say about us?
Blue is the Warmest Color hits theaters October 25, here’s the trailer for the film: