Johannesburg - The age restriction for the movie The Hunger Games has been reduced from age 16 to age 13, South African distributor Nu Metro said on Monday.
The age restriction was reduced at the weekend following scrutiny of the film's content by the Film and Publication Board, Nu Metro spokesperson Heather Vorster said in a statement.
"The new classification brings South Africa in line with the international classifications of the film," she said.
Nu Metro Films general manager Driki Mitchell said many fans of both the book and the film would not have been able to see it under the previous classification.
Moral Dilemmas
"It explores many moral dilemmas, but the film's conclusion is appropriate and justifiable. Despite having these complex and mature themes, the film can be understood, and appreciated, by a young teen audience and we are very pleased with the outcome."
The drama is set in the future, where every year a boy and girl from the 12 districts of what used to be North America fight to the death on live television. A woman volunteers to take her younger sister's place in one match.
The movie opened in South African at the weekend. In the United States, it has become the first movie since Avatar to top the box office for four weekends in a row, according to MTV.
The age restriction was reduced at the weekend following scrutiny of the film's content by the Film and Publication Board, Nu Metro spokesperson Heather Vorster said in a statement.
"The new classification brings South Africa in line with the international classifications of the film," she said.
Nu Metro Films general manager Driki Mitchell said many fans of both the book and the film would not have been able to see it under the previous classification.
Moral Dilemmas
"It explores many moral dilemmas, but the film's conclusion is appropriate and justifiable. Despite having these complex and mature themes, the film can be understood, and appreciated, by a young teen audience and we are very pleased with the outcome."
The drama is set in the future, where every year a boy and girl from the 12 districts of what used to be North America fight to the death on live television. A woman volunteers to take her younger sister's place in one match.
The movie opened in South African at the weekend. In the United States, it has become the first movie since Avatar to top the box office for four weekends in a row, according to MTV.