UK's Current System

Pros & Cons


Pros

• The ratings provide clear, convenient guidelines that everybody can understand and follow.
• Parents do not want to have to research every film before deciding what is appropriate for their children
• There is a certain amount of fluidy - local authorities can overrule ratings if they or local residents disagree with it
• The guidelines are updated every 5 years in order to stay relevant
• Detailed information about the rating of every film is available on the BBFC website

Cons

• Ratings are only very loosely enforced in both cinemas and DVD stores
• Although the information is available online, many people are not aware of it and therefore do not know what each film contains. This is a particular problem for parents and the 12A rating.
• All children are scared by different things, raising questions about whether age is the best way to classify films
• Many children are exposed to the images/language etc outside of film, eg at school or on TV

Do you think the way films are regulated is sensible, useful to society and achieves its aim to protecting the vulnerable and upholding the law?


I think that it is very important to have an effective method of regulating films so that young children are not exposed to adult themes and images at a young age, and I believe that the BBFC does this in the best way possible. I think that is i necessary, due to the nature of society, where everyone is scared and offended by different things, to use a very broad system that may seem slightyl over-protective of some children in order to make sure that the content is appropriate for everyone.


Is there anything you think could be done to improve the current system?


I believe that the system itself does not need much improving, as long as it continues to update itself to reflect current values. However, I think that the details of each film and each classification need to be better advertised to parents so that they can make more informed choices about what their children view if they want to

The Differences

U-PG

• Themes can be slightly more mature, but must still presented them mildly
• Sex can be presented briefly and discreetly, but nudity must still not have a sexual context
• Drug misuse is more acceptable but must carry a strong anti-drug message

Mild discriminatory language or behavior is acceptable if it has educational or historical value
Violence can be slightly stronger
Horror can be more frightening but must not be prolonged and must still have a reassuring outcome


PG-12A

•  Discriminatory language and behaviour is more acceptable but must still not be endorsed as a whole
• Drugs are also more acceptable, but again, must not be encouraged as a whole
• More moderate threat and horror is allowed, but must not be prolonged or sustained
• Imitable behaviour can be shown but should not dwell on detail
• Moderate language is allowed, as well as infrequent and non-agressive strong language
• nudity in a sexual context is allowed but must be brief and discreet
• There may be more violence and more violent themes but it must not dwell on detail

12A-15

• Strong language can be much more frequent
• Horror can be strong and prolonged
• Drug use can be shown, as long as it is not instructional and the film does not promote drugs as a whole
• Stronger nudity is acceptable in a sexual context, but must not go into explicit detail. Strong sexual references are allowed

15-18

• Anything may be shown at 18, provided it does not break any of the rules set out in the above post.

18-R18

• 'Real sex' can be shown at R18, but not at 18

R18

R18 - To be shown in specially licensed cinemas or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults of not less than 18 years

The following content is not acceptable:

• Any material which breaches criminal law
• Material which is likely to encourage an interst in sexually abusive activity
• The portrayal of any sexual activity which involves lack of consent
• The infliction of pain or acts which may cause lasting physical harm, whether real or simulated
• Penetration by any object associtaed with violence or likely to cause physical harm
• any sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which does not form part of a clearly consenting role playing game. Strong phyiscal or verbal abuse, even if consensual, is unlikely to be acceptable

18

18 - suitable for adults

One of the general principles of the BBFC is that adults should be free to watch what they want. Therefore, almost everything is allowed an 18 rating, provided:

• It does not breach criminal law
• It does not fail The Harm Test
• There are not explicit images of sexual activty without sufficient context. In this case, the film would get an R18 rating

15

15 - Suitable only for 15 years and older

Discrimination

• The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory behaviour

Drugs

• Drud taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not encourage drug use. The misuse of easily accessible substances eg aerosols is unlikely to be acceptable

Horror

• Must not be sadistic or sexualised

Imitable behaviour

• Should not dwell on detail and easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised

Language

• Strong language is allowed, but the strongest language must be justified by context

Nudity

• Nudity in a sexual context must not have strong detail

Sex

• May be portrayed without strong detail. Strong references are allowed, but the strongest language must be justified by context. Whose whose primary purpose is for sexual gratification are unlikely to be allowed

Theme

• Treatment must be appropriate for 15 year olds

Violence

• May be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images, and sadistic or sexualised violence are unlikely to be allowed. Portrayal of sexual violence must have strong contextual justification

12A

Suitable for 12 years and older

Discrimination

• Aggressive laguage or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable, unless clearly condoned. The work as a whole must not endorse discrimination of any kind

Drugs

• Must be infrequent and not glamorised. Must not give instructional detail

Horror

• Moderate threat are permitted, providedsequences are not frequent or suistained

Imitable behaviour

• Dangerous behaviour should not dwell on detail which could be copied or could be potentially harmful. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamourised

Language

• Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language must be infrequent

Nudity

• Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet

Sex

• May be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Must not go beyond what is acceptable for young teenagers

Theme

• Mature themes must be suitable for young teenagers

Violence

• Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, unless infrequent and justified by context. Sexual violence can be implied but must have a strong contextual justification

PG

Parental Guidance- Some scenes may be unsuitable for young children

Discrimination

• Unlikely to be acceptable unless in an educational or historical context

Drugs

• Any references must carry a suitable anti-drug message

Horror

• Scary sequences must not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor

Imitable Behaviour

• No detailof potentially dangerous behaviour that young children may copy. No glamorisation of easily accessible weapons

Language

• Mild language only

Nudity

• Natural nudity only, with no sexual context

Sex

• Can be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent. Mild references and innuendo only.

Theme

• Nothing can condone unacceptable behaviour

Violence

• Moderate violence without detail, if justified by context

U

Universal - Suitable for all

• All U films should be set within a positive framework and show a clear counterbalance to any threat, violence or horror

Discrimination

• No discriminatory language or behaviour unless clearly disapproved of

Drugs

• None, unless it serves an educational purpose or a clear anti-drug message is presented

Horror

• Should be mild and brief, and should have a reassuring outcome

Imitable Behaviour

• No potentially dangerous behaviour which young children may copy. No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons

Language

• Bad language should be infrequent and very mild

Nudity

• Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context

Sex

• Mild sexual behavior and references only

Theme

• Must be appropriate for young children

Violence

• Mild violence only

BLK comments

Excellent notes for wk 1 hwk hugh, love your blog and use of evidence too. great reflections. miss b :-)

Violence

Violence has a strong history in film, and the Board will take this into account when classifying films. However portrayal of violence as a normal solution to problems, heroes who inflict pain and injury, callousness towards victims, encouragement of aggressive attitudes and content which depicts characters taking pleasure in pain and humiliation will all recieve a higher rating. Works which glamorise, endorse or glamorise sexual violence are likely to have scenes cut at any rating.

Sex

Sexual activity in films range from kissing, to verbal references, to detailed portrayals of real sex. As the strength of the portrayal rises, the classification will rise accordingly. Sex works are almost always rated 18 or R18, depending on detail or severity of the material.

Nudity

'Natural nudity' with no sexual context is acceptable at all classifications, but will be very infrequent at U and PG. Sexual content will recieve a higher classification and strong detailed content will recieve even higher ratings.

Language

It is impossible to set out a set list of words and frequencies of words which is acceptable for each classification. The context which the word is said, and how it is said is much more important than the word itself. Current public opinion is also taken into account, and to a large extent this issue is classified by common sense, depending on all of the above.

Imitable Behaviour

Detailed or instructional portrayal of criminal or violent techniques, and works which glamorise or are uncritical of criminal activity or antisocial behaviour (eg bullying) will recieve a higher rating. Dangerous behavior which could be easily copied by children, eg self-harm etc, will be cut if the classification is too low.

Horror

Many audiences enjoy horror and scary sequences as an established part of film. The BBFC take into account the frequency, length, detail and context of these sequences when classifying films aimed at children. Films aimed at adults have very little restriction on the amount of horror they contain, as the audiences often pay to be scared by the film, and the film will get an appropriate classification.

Drugs

A film as a whole cannot promote drug misuse and any single detailed portrayal of drug use which may promote or glamorise drugs may be cut. Films which show the dangers of drug use may recieve lower classifications than ones which present it in a neutral manner.

Discrimination

Potentially offensive content is very common in a wide range of films, and must be taken into account when classifying films. The film must not break any laws, eg it must no incite or condone hate crimes, but is acceptable, and will get a lower classification, if discriminatory behaviour is critised, and if the context justifies it.

Lessons 1 & 2 Reflections

Very interesting start to learning about film classification, here are some interesting things I learned.

• I already knew that the BBFC was responsible for giving films their certificates, but I was interested by the fact that the ratings are not set in stone, and can be overruled by local authorities, who can make the film a lower or higher rating in that area. They can also ban films altogether, but this usually has no effect as people can just jump on a bus to another cinema outside of that area

• That the BBFC are an independent non-governmental body, set up by the film industry as a means of self-regulation without political influence. The government still remains relatively powerless in film regulation, but, as with any independent organisation, the government cann influence them by appointments, legislation etc.

• The role that parents play and how their views affect the guidelines by which films are classified, particularly with regards to 12A films, where it is up to the parents if the film is suitable for their children. An example is The Dark Night, which many parents took their children to see, unaware of the content, and afterwards complained.

BBFC: Overriding Factors

• They have a set of guidelines which they must follow when certifying films, but they must regulate with a degree of leniency in order to allow the film to reach as wide an audience as possible.

• They are able to take many other factors into account if they feel that the guidelines point towards a rating that is too high. These are:
• The work itself, eg. the storyline or general themes
• The audience - who the film is targeted at and who will go and see it
• Any moral, educational or artistic merit it may contain
• Its potential to offend
• Possible harm
• Context
• Precedent

These factors are especially important where a film may lie close to the borderline between two ratings

BBFC: Legal Considerations

• The Human Rights Act, 1998

• The Licensing Act, 2003

• The Obscene Publications Act, 1959 & 1964

• Criminal Justice and Immigration Act, 2008

• The Protection of Children Act 1978

• The Sexual Offenses Act 2003

• The Public Order Act 1986

• The Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937

• The Animal Welfare Act 2006

• The Tobacco Advertising and Promoting Act 2002

BBFC: General Principles

There are two underlying principles under which the BBFC excercises itself when certifying films. These are:

• that works should be allowed to reach the widest audience that is appropriate for their theme and treatment

• that adults should, as far as possible, be free to choose what they see, provided that it remains within the law and is not potentially harmful

When applying these principles, they must also consider;

• If the material is in conflict with the law
• If the material may cause harm to any individual or wider society as a direct result of viewing that material and others like it
• If public opinion dictates it is acceptable for people of certain age groups to view the material

Who are the BBFC?

• The British Board of Film Classification

• They were set up in 1912, they are responsible for regulating all films released in the UK and some games where it is deemed necessary

• They act on behalf of the local government under The Licensing Act of 2003, who can overturn the guidelines set out by the BBFC, ie they can re-certify films or ban them altogether

• They are funded by fees they charged fees that films must pay in order to get a certificate

• They are a non governmental, independent organisation, so the government has no direct control over film regulation.
• However they are accountable to OFCOM, which is a government organisation, and the bosses at the BBFC are appointed by the government.