Realm of the Censors

Blockbuster Video--which has a policy against carrying X-rated titles--has banned the controversial but unrated “In the Realm of the Senses� from the chain’s 1,300 stores when the Japanese film is distributed Sept. 20.

“Realm,� director Nagisa Oshima’s tale of an obsessive, doomed love affair--replete with male and female frontal nudity and graphic, unsimulated sex--was confiscated by U.S. customs officials in 1976 on its way to the New York Film Festival, and later released unrated.

The video box for “Realm� will carry this label: “WARNING: This unrated feature film presents graphic sexual scenes and is intended for mature adults only (18 or over).�

Nonetheless, Ron Castell, senior veep at Florida-based Blockbuster, says flatly: “It’s simple--we don’t carry those kinds of movies. . . . We adhere to the MPAA. If it’s not rated, it’s decided on a movie-by-movie basis.�

Distributor Fox/Lorber Associates has set distribution deals with a number of other video retailers and established a toll free phone line--(800) 367-8439--to serve customers who may not be able to purchase the film at their local video store.