Film Regulation: BBFC

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

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

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

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?

5) What are the guidelines for a 15 certificate?

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.

1) The BBFC is responsible for regulating the films we watch and classifying them into certain certificate groups which include U, PG, 12A, 15 and 18. This categorises the films for what is suitable in each age range of viewers. The BBFC generates it funding from the fees it charges for its services, calculated by measuring the running time of films, DVDs/videos and other works submitted for classification. The BBFC is not organised for profit, and its fees are adjusted only as required to cover its costs. 

2) The BBFC rate films through the general context of the film, timing of key moments, drug refernce, violence and sex inclusion. The general context affects the rating of the film as certain plots have a different aim which may not be suitable for certain viewing, an example being American Pie's plot wouldnt be suitable for children as it is mainly about sex. The timing of camera shots also change a rating as some movies show violence, torture and sexual scenes more graphically.

3) The debate covers how it is impossible to stick to guidelines completely as if they did alot of films would be much more restricted. An 18 film would include graphic sexual references and nudity, drugs and violence, however most horror movies are rated 18 as they have an unsettling tone which could be harmful to younger viewers. It also reiterates that they alter their guidelines based on public opinion of what is acceptable for each age group.

4) The Dark Knight generated a large amount of media coverage regarding its certificate as some of the public complained that the violence was too strong to be contained at that category. At 12A, the use of some of the graphic violence was seen to be explicit for such a low rating. The threat in the film is most frequently seen when The Joker wields his preferred weapon, a knife: in one scene, he plays with the knife inside the mouth of a thug, and in another he presses it close to the heroine’s face. People may have seen as desensitising younger viewers to such violence and could distort their perception of right and wrong.

5) 

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.