Apocalypto prompts Italy to re-examine film ratings

Italian officials are scheduled to meet next week to discuss how movies are rated, after a consumer group raised concerns about the movie review board approving Mel Gibson's Apocalypto for all ages.

"I have called a meeting for Monday to take another look at the rules on authorizing movies," Italian Culture Minister Francesco Rutelli told reporters Friday.

Rutelli added that the current rules "are now 45 years old and no longer suited to current times."

Apocalypto, which opened in North America in December, was released as scheduled across Italy on Friday.

The country's film review board, which typically comprises parents, industry members and a psychologist, approved the film for viewing by all ages.

Several other European countries, including the United Kingdom, France and Germany, have set minimum age limits for viewers of the film, which depicts the decline of the Mayan empire. In North America, Apocalypto received an "R" rating, meaning those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

On Thursday, Italian consumer group Codacons said it planned to seek court action to have children under the age of 14 banned from seeing the film.

"The film is probably very beautiful and well-done," Codacons president Carlo Rienzi said in a statement. "However, minors must be protected more than the economic interests of film production companies."

Film described as hyper-violent

Featuring a cast of unknowns and told in an ancient language (necessitating subtitles), Apocalypto has been described as hyper-violent for scenes that include gruesome slayings, beheadings and images of hearts being torn from actors' chests.

While some in the U.S. aboriginal community have praised Gibson for telling the story in the Yucatec Maya tongue and going to great lengths to build an indigenous cast from Mexico and Central America, others have criticized the bloody portrayal.

Activists in Guatemala were among those angered by the film and accused Gibson of painting an unflattering, "savage" portrait of Mayan culture.

Nevertheless, Apocalypto hasbeen recognized with several film award nominations. It will compete in the best foreign language film category at the Critics' Choice Awards and at the Golden Globes.

Gibson's epic film placed first during its opening weekend in North America, taking in more than $14 million US.

Despite the No. 1 ranking, however,the film's box office take was dramatically lower than Gibson's last directorial effort. In 2004, The Passion of the Christ — also noted for its violence —made more than $83 million US during its opening weekend.