Film regulation and the BBFC - blog task

1) Research the BBFC in more detail: what is the institution responsible for? How is it funded? What link does it have to government?

The 'British Board of Film Classification' are responsible for deciding which certificate to award each film that is released to the public. The BBFC is a none profitable organisation, and its fees are adjusted only to cover its costs. In order to preserve its independence, the BBFC never receives subsidies from either the film industry or the government. Its income is solely from the fees it charges for its services, calculated by measuring the running time of films or DVDs submitted for classification.  The BBFC consults the Department of Culture,  Media and Sport before making any changes to its fees. In 1984 Parliament passed the Video Recordings Act. This act stated that, video recordings offered for sale or hire commercially in the UK must be classified by an authority designated by the Secretary of State.

2) Read this BBFC guide to how films are rated. Summarise the process in 50 words.

Every 4-5 years, the BBFC carries out a major public consultation exercise to find out what the public thinks about the age rating of films and videos before they are released and whether the BBFC’s classification standards meet public concerns. The BBFC adjusts its standards and criteria in response to any changes in public attitudes. There are two key principles, laid out in the Guidelines, under which we operate:

• to protect children and vulnerable adults from potentially harmful or otherwise unsuitable content
• to empower consumers, particularly parents and those with responsibility for children, to make informed viewing decisions.

3) Read this BBFC outline of the issues faced when classifying a film. Summarise the debate in 50 words.

The BBFC may face issues when classifying a film as it may be hard to identify what rating it should be given due to the amount of sexual content or bad language. Material in the film may not follow laws in Britain or conflict against them making it hard to create a judgement of the film. Overall the content of the film is what helps to decide a film and specific scenes may contradict the judgement

4) Read this BBFC section on controversial decisions. Why did The Dark Knight generate a large amount of media coverage regarding its certificate? Do you agree with the 12A certificate The Dark Knight was awarded?

The Dark knight generated a large amount of coverage revolving its certificate due to complaints from members of the public, who thought the violence was too strong to be contained at that category. 12A at the time stated ‘Violence must not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries and blood’ and ‘Sustained moderate threat and menace are permitted. Occasional gory moments only.

5) What are the guidelines for a 15 certificate?

15 – Suitable only for 15 years and over

No one younger than 15 may see a 15 film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video work.

Discrimination

The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour, although there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and language.

Drugs

Drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse (for example, through instructional detail). The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

Imitable behaviour

Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Whether the depiction of easily accessible weapons is acceptable will depend on factors such as realism, context and setting.
 

Language

There may be strong language. Very strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification.

Nudity

There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. There may be nudity in a sexual context but usually without strong detail.

Sex

Sexual activity may be portrayed, but usually without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.

Threat

There may be strong threat and horror. A sustained focus on sadistic or sexual threat is unlikely to be acceptable. 

Violence

Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but the depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and justified by context.

6) The BBFC website offers an explanation of every classification it makes and detailed case studies on selected titles. Look at the rating for Chicken and explain why it was given a 15 certificate.

Chicken was given a 15 certificate as it has sexual references, strong violence and very strong language which wouldn't be appropriate for a young audience to watch and listen to. The strong use of violence is what sways the film to be a 15 rated as there is blood being shown and physical violence shown multiple times.