EXCLUSIVE: Chilean prison drama The Prince has been effectively banned from Amazon Prime UK after distributor Peccadillo Pictures was informed the movie contained \u201coffensive content\u201d that clashed with the streamer\u2019s guidelines.<\/p>\n
The film is an unflinching look at life in a men\u2019s prison set amidst the political upheaval of Chile in the 1970s. It contains explicit and dark content but has been widely praised for its uncompromising handling of its subject matter, including winning the Queer Lion Award at Venice Film Festival last year<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Many titles are self-uploaded to Amazon by distributors for TVOD releases, with the web giant taking a share of money earned. All releases are however subject to Amazon\u2019s Content Policy Guidelines, which contain rules against \u201csexually explicit content\u201d as well as \u201cviolent or graphic content.\u201d<\/p>\n Surprisingly, the DVD of the film, which is the same version, is still available to purchase via Amazon. It also continues to stream on numerous other platforms such as Apple TV, BFI Player, and Google Play.<\/p>\n The movie received an 18 certificate from UK regulatory body BBFC without needing any cuts.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are obviously very concerned and perplexed by Amazon\u2019s ruling,\u201d Peccadillo MD Tom Abell told Deadline. \u201cWe have been trying to overturn their decision without avail and cannot understand why, when we have overwhelming support from all other platforms, they have taken this stance.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe cannot deny that The Prince has some explosive and bold scenes but this is what makes it stand out and is such an enjoyable and admired film,\u201d he continued. \u201cIt certainly contains nothing that hasn\u2019t been seen before in a prison drama and pales in comparison to scenes in many of Amazon\u2019s own productions. We are something of a loss to explain the situation.\u201d<\/p>\n Abell said that after his company asked for further explanation they were sent a link to Amazon\u2019s Offensive Content guidelines, which you can read in full here.<\/p>\n Deadline understands the decision would have been taken by an Amazon employee. Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for clarification or comment.<\/p>\n