BBFC and Age rating research
In order to give our film an appropriate age rating I researched into Britain's Board of film classification to ensure I had followed the right guidelines provided by The BBFC. The BBFC, regulates all films that re released in the UK for our consumption, the BBFC helps protect audiences from potential harm by evaluating the film based on guidelines, for example, a U age rated film must not have sexually explicit scenes, the BBFC would then either ban the film if it did or tell them to cut it from the film in order to be given the right rating.
The Method the BBFC follows for classifying films:
Two examiners with relative film knowledge watches a series of films and then rates them according to the guidelines, if they can not meet an unanimous decision, it is then reviewed by a senior examiner. The guidelines the BBFC follow are there to protect children and vulnerable adults from potential harm as young children can be influenced by certain scenes in films. I looked on the BBFC website at each age rating and found the 5 age ratings that are widely given to films. It was interesting and insightful to learn what material is appropriate for each age category. After the research I now feel comfortable in reviewing my short film and based on the guidelines be able to give an accurate certificate. As our film features a suggestive rape, we had to be careful of how to shoot the rape scene and if the certificate would meet the guideline of a 15 in order for it to be appropriate to a wide audience. Having looked at the guidelines I decided to look into the research done by the BBFC when films have been passed at a 15 but could have potentially been a 12. I found that both The Kings Speech and Made in Dagenham used the expletive 'Fuck' and both wanted a 12 certificate, Made in Dagenham was given a 15 due to the expletive and the Kings Speech was given a 12 due to the context the expletive was used in, it was used to cure the Kings speech impediment. It was interesting to see that context comes into the guideline and final decision making, I feel that as our rape scene does not contain nudity, it will be passed at 15.
As the BBFC has the potential to ban films, I researched into current banned films and the controversy surrounding some films the BBFC has passed. For example a murder committed by a 17 year old named Nathan Martinez, whom shot and killed his step mother and his half sister. It was alleged he was obsessed with the film Natural Born Killers and had watched it 10 times in the week before the incident, even shaving his head into the style of the main character.
As the BBFC has the potential to ban films, I researched into current banned films and the controversy surrounding some films the BBFC has passed. For example a murder committed by a 17 year old named Nathan Martinez, whom shot and killed his step mother and his half sister. It was alleged he was obsessed with the film Natural Born Killers and had watched it 10 times in the week before the incident, even shaving his head into the style of the main character.Films banned by The BBFC
The BBFC has the authority to ban material they deem to be too obscene for public viewing. However, age rating's can be subjective and a banned film from the 1950's may now have been released due to the societal changes and guidelines of The BBFC. For example, a film named Bloody Mama was banned in 1970 but was passed and uncut in 2009. In recent times films that are currently banned are:Murder Set Pieces
Grotesque
The Human Centipede 2
The Bunny Game
The BBFC states that Murder set pieces was potentially breaking UK obscenity laws due to the sexual violence it has portrayed.
The film grotesque was banned due to the fact it lacked any context or any purpose behind its content, equally the film The Human Centipede was refused classification by the BBFC due to its obscene footage, the BBFC stated that no amount of cuts would allow them to give a certificate. However in 2011, it was granted an 18 certificate after 32 compulsory cuts were made to the final product.
Age Ratings
The universal symbol signifies that the film is suitable for anyone of the age for and up. A universal certified film will use A film rated U their will be infrequent use the occasional mild language of damn and other such phrases that causes no threat or upset to children. Also there will be no or very little sexual behavior, which includes kissing and cuddling, something universally understood and harmless. Violence within the film will again be very little if non at all, however the character may experience danger at some point but nothing of an extremely violent nature. An example of a Universal certified film is Up, a successful Disney Pixar movie.
Parental Guidance is the films which require a parent or guardian to be present whilst a child is viewing the film. This is usually because the film is suitable for general viewing but may be inappropriate for children seven and under. Parental guides are aimed at children between the ages of eight upwards. Although there may be mild language in a PG film such as shit or pissed and sex references are uncommon but some innuendos may be used. An example of a parental guide certified film is Matilda which features mild language.
A 12 certified film is for anyone 12 and above, however, children younger than 12 may be accompanied by an adult. In cinemas, the rule that anyone younger than 12 cannot watch a 12 rated film and is enforced for all certificates. If the cinemas fail to comply they may suffer consequences. Language in a 12 is much more lenient depending on the usage of it.For example fuck may be used. Also homophobic or racist terms are unlikely to feature in a 12 certified film and sexual behavior maybe discreet and can not go beyond what is suitable for children who are 12. An example of a 12 certified film is Shes the man which has some sexual references but nevertheless harmless.
Films rated 18 are for 18 and over only as they feature extreme content that may be upsetting for younger viewers. 18 rated films can feature strong viscous violence, strong gore and sadistic scenes. The language in 18`s is much more frequent, alongside this, terms used may be potentially harming for some viewers. Sex scenes are of a strong nature as they may depict a rape scene or real sex in some circumstances. Also strong references to drugs and drug taking may be seen but overall the work should not encourage the misuse of drugs. An example of an 18 is a Serbian film which has caused an awful lot of controversy due to its graphic violent sex scenes and exploitation of children.
It was important to research the requirements for each age rating certificate as we have to create a short film based on the necessary guidelines of the chosen age rating. The age rating for our film will be a 15 as it features a gruesome murder and rape.
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