Date: Tue, 31 Oct 1995 07:06:49 -0500 (EST) From: David Casti Subject: ACTION ALERT: MPAA NC-17 RATING ON LESBIAN FILM Submitted by: GLAADNATL@aol.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tamra King Entertainment Media Director (213) 658-6775 GLAAD OBJECTS TO MPAA NC-17 RATING ON LESBIAN FILM Los Angeles, CA & New York, NY -- The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is encouraging the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) to rescind its NC-17 rating of the film "When Night is Falling" which is being released on November 17 by October Films. "The content of the film is neither graphic nor gratuitous. The love-making scenes are simply part of the story," stated GLAAD's Entertainment Media Director, Tamra King. "When Night is Falling" centers around a lesbian romance at a Protestant college. When a conservative college professor accidentally meets a circus performer, she is inexplicably drawn to her. "When our lives are constantly rendered invisible it leads to ignorance, fear and hatred," said King. "By giving the film an NC-17 rating, it sends a very strong message that same sex couples engaging in intimacy are not fit for the general public," King said. "Not only does an NC-17 have a dire financial impact on a film, it limits the number of people who have access to the film," King added. October Films is appealing the NC-17 rating. The MPAA will view the film again November 1 and then make a final decision. October Films co-managing executive, Amir Malin commented "It is our strong belief that if these two scenes had involved heterosexual love-making, we would have received the less restrictive R rating. It is very unfortunate, and quite ominous, that the MPAA has opted to take this course with its rating decision." In the past, GLAAD has helped educate entertainment and media executives to combat stereotypes of gays and lesbians in radio, television and film. "GLAAD works to overcome homophobia which is, we believe, the root of the violence and discrimination that has been unleashed against members of our community," said King. GLAAD has already written a letter of support for the MPAA to rescind the NC-17 rating and is encouraging its members to send letters to the MPAA via fax at (202) 293-7674 or by calling (202) 293-1966.