15 Most Controversial Movies Of The 90s

12. The Idiots

The Idiots' director, the polarising Lars Von Trier, has never been shy about causing controversy. His 1996 film Breaking The Waves was targeted by religious groups for its supposed blasphemy, but the outcry that film caused was nothing compared to The Idiots. The film was condemned first for its fictional representation of disability: the self-professed 'idiots' in the film act both mentally and physically disabled in public. Many commentators felt that this was in poor taste and questioned whether or not it could have been accomplished in a more sensitive way (or whether it was needed at all). The other major talking point was the graphic sexual scenes, including an infamous orgy sequence. During said sequence, two characters (played by stand-in porn stars) have unsimulated sexual intercourse. In another sequence, a man who is having a shower is shown having an erection. Both scenes needed to be pixelated when the film was shown on British television, although the film was released uncut with an 18 certificate in cinemas.