9. Turkish Delight (1973)
Why It's Controversial: Directed by Paul Verhoeven in his Dutch period (when he actually made decent films), Turkish Delight is a tragic Erotic Drama starring Rutger Hauer and Monique van de Ven as doomed lovers in 1970s Holland. First off, the film begins with Erik (Rutger) in a state of torpor masturbating vigorously to a nude photo of Olga (Monique van de Ven) whilst shouting "You shit on me! You shit on me!". He then gets himself together and engages in impersonal sex with a heap of women, cutting off their pubic hair as a memento. He brutally seduces Olga in her car about 30 seconds after meeting her, despite this, they get married. The sex scenes are ultra realistic and very erotic. There is a stress on bodily functions like pooping and vomiting. The film is graphic and explicit and for hardened audiences only
Why It's Good: Boy I love this film! It is in my top 5 films of all time. Definitely one of Verhoeven's best, I find it spell binding. Hauer and van de Ven deliver stand out performances which require them both to lose their inhibitions in this film as the love story is so erotic and intense. I would not call Turkish Delight 'entertainment'. It is for lovers of extreme cinema, people who enjoy exploring the limits of love and sex, exploring the realm and diversity of human emotions. Nevertheless, this film has been voted the Best Dutch Film of all Time. Approximately 25% of the Dutch population saw it at the Box Office. It deserves its acclaim.
8. Scum (1979)
Why It's Controversial: Originally a 1977 Play for Today production for the BBC, Scum was not aired by the Corporation due its incendiary content. Director Alan Clarke remade the play in 1979 with a young Ray Winstone. I have watched both versions and they are pretty much equal in the controversial stakes. Scenes that caused contention include: gang male rape, an horrific death by wrist slashing suicide, lashings of casual racism, extreme violence and the brutality and indifference of the wardens. It all adds together to make a damning indictment of the then Borstal system. By the time 1983 came around, the penal system had been reformed and Scum was fit for airing on Channel 4.
Why It's Good: The Brits at their best - no nonsense, dead serious, no holds barred social commentary. Drawing attention to issues that need discussion. Scum has a realism to it that makes you actually believe you are really watching life in a genuine borstal. No one does social realism like the Brits - hands down they do it the best. Scum follows in the Loachian tradition of seemingly natural observation of people in their habitat and just lets the action unfold. There is no heavy handed indictment of the Borstal system, it just indicts itself. The film doesn't shirk away from showing unpleasantness in its realism. A vital but harrowing film to watch.