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 The film adaptation opened this week in 57 international
markets, including France, where it was declared suitable for
anyone 12 or older.
The movie tells the story of a sexual relationship between a
wealthy businessman and a college student and includes scenes
that depict whipping and bondage.
The distributor, Comcast Corp unit Universal Pictures, is not
pursuing a theatrical release in China - the world's
second-largest film market - according to a source with
knowledge of the studio's plans who spoke on condition of
anonymity. Sexually explicit films generally do not make it past
Chinese government censors.
Three countries that often object to sexual content - Malaysia,
Indonesia and Kenya - have banned "Fifty Shades" from theaters.
In Malaysia, the head of the film censorship board called it
"more pornography than a movie," according to Hollywood trade
publication Variety. The distributor in Indonesia said the film
did not meet the country's censorship standards.
Kenyan authorities gave no reason for their ban but have a
history of censoring sexually explicit content. They prohibited
the 2013 blockbuster "The Wolf of Wall Street," a film that
contains graphic depictions of sex and drugs.
At the film's London premiere, "Fifty Shades" author E.L. James
said, "Oh, the book was banned in a few countries.
"It’s great publicity, and you know the DVD will come out and
hopefully they'll get to see it then."
It is unclear whether "Fifty Shades" will be shown in India or
throughout the Middle East. Only Lebanon is scheduled to show
it.
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BOOK FRENZY DRIVES TURNOUT
Film critics have found the sex scenes tamer than the book. "Those
looking for hot, kinky sex will be disappointed," Claudia Puig of
the newspaper USA Today wrote in her review.
Most countries are welcoming the movie, and box-office analysts
project strong international ticket sales. Markets where the film is
playing include Britain, Germany, Hong Kong, Australia, Russia,
Singapore and Japan.
The film took in $28.6 million in 34 markets where it played on
Wednesday and Thursday and set several records. In Argentina, the
movie ranked as the largest opening day ever for any film in that
market.
"Fifty Shades" collected $8.6 million Thursday night in the United
States and Canada, which together form the world's biggest movie
market.
A Universal spokesman declined to comment on whether the film was
edited for some overseas markets, where studios get an increasingly
larger share of ticket sales.
"Fifty Shades of Grey" is the first volume in a trilogy by James.
The three books have sold more than 100 million copies and have been
translated into 52 languages.
"Just do the math on that," said Phil Contrino, chief analyst at
movie website Boxoffice.com. "Even if a third of the people who have
read the book go to see the movie, that's a lot of money right
there."
Fans are counting on a sequel or sequels to see the other two books
brought to the screen, but Universal has not yet said whether there
will be another "Fifty Shades" film.
(Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Additional reporting by Helena Williams
in London; Editing by Mary Milliken and Jonathan Oatis)
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