International Review of Educational Cinematography (Jan-Dec 1932)

Legislation THE CINEMA CENSORSHIP IN THE REPUBLIC OF COSTA RICA Working of Censoring office. — Though in the republic of Costa Rica, there is no complete legislative system for the censorship of films, there exists, all the same a censor charged with examining the theatrical and film productions. In general, the censor's work is relatively light, for there is no local film industry, and almost all pictures arrive after having already passed through the censorship of the nations producing them in Europe or the United States. The only legislative measures which touch the work of censorship indirectly, but are really more especially concerned with safeguarding children's morals are those contained in the decree of July 1, 1920, N° 108, later modified by a circular of the governor dated May 23, 1924. The fundamental rule is that all films destined for public exhibition must be examined by the censor, or, failing him, by the governor of the province. The censor must decide which films are suited to the special mentality of children. There is, therefore, no possibility of banning films by the executive organs unless the intervention of the police is invoked for reasons of public order (internal policy) or on account of danger to good international relations (foreign policy). The censor must limit his activity to establishing two categories of shows, afternoon and evening. The first are open to everyone, including children, while the second class is only available for adults. The Seen and considered " and the " Whereas " preambles to the decree of July 1 , 1 920 are worthy of note, and explain its purport. " Whereas children, without any restric tion, frequent cinemas day and night, either alone or accompanied by adults ; " In view of the fact that the type of spectacle given in the theatres and cinemas is not submitted to any previous censorship and therefore there is nothing to prevent children attending unsuitable shows that take no account of the respect due to minors, and give them mistaken and terrible pictures of life . . . This is partly the fault of the business houses, which are anxious to fill the cinemas and theatres, and partly the fault of the parents, tutors or others having the care of children who do not understand their responsibilities or the damage which may come to children from negligence in controlling their attendance at public shows" Another section of the preamble reads : The frequent attendance of children at these spectacles accustoms them to vice, to a soft life, and to luxury, and alienates them through feelings of disgust and laziness from that austere disciplined form of life which shapes the honest and laborious citizen . . . " The ordinary representations of Apaches, detectives, crimes and more or less immoral loves falsify the spirit of children, pervert their hearts, and make them live in a fantastic, unreal, complicated world, amid all the excesses of humanity, among manifestations of strange sentiments likely to destroy illusions. Such pictures of life can check the growth of idealism by a premature and badly understood knowledge of life, which in such cases should be seen only by the adult and not by children .... " The child's physical and moral health must be maintained and developed in suitable surroundings. During the night, the