imdb.com, 2nd October 1997
MGM Won't Protest NC-17 Rating For Bent

MGM has agreed to release Bent (1997), based on the Martin Sherman play about homosexuals imprisoned by the Nazis during World War II, with an NC-17 rating, published reports said today (Thursday). Newsday columnist Liz Smith quoted a studio spokesperson as saying, "The early scenes of explicit sexuality are absolutely necessary. ... To tell this story without portraying the era honestly and with integrity would compromise the power of this film." However, today's Daily Variety comments that the sex scenes "are actually less graphic than many that appear between heterosexuals in mainstream movies." The trade paper quoted GLAAD spokeswoman Chastity Bono as saying, "There is clearly a double standard." The film is slated for release on Nov. 26 in New York, Los Angeles and Toronto.