Post 13 - The BBFC/film rating

The BBFC (the British Board of Film Classification) are a non-profit organisation who relies solely on the money from film makers to do their jobs properly, they attempt to cut out any inappropriate content and classify films in categories respectively. The BBFC are independent film regulators who seek to protect the public, mainly children from high risks, as well as enabling the public to make correct decisions about viewing choices. The BBFC look to make ‘the right’ decisions so that there is no uproar from the public, if the BBFC make strange decisions about a film then the views and opinions of society can backfire and the two can come into conflict.


Horror

The use of frightening elements which might scare or unsettle an audience is part of a long tradition of storytelling and film making.

Many children enjoy the excitement of scary sequences, but, where films are targeted at a younger audience, classification decisions will take into account such factors as the frequency, length and detail of scary scenes as well as horror effects, including music and sound, and whether there is a swift and reassuring outcome.

Older audiences often pay to see horror films because they like being frightened or shocked and such works are classified at an appropriate category to ensure that the young and vulnerable are protected from too intense an experience.

Imitable behaviour

Classification decisions will take into account any detailed portrayal of criminal and violent techniques, and any glamorisation of easily accessible weapons, such as knives (Teenage mutant ninja turtles) Works which portray anti-social behaviour (for example, bullying) uncritically are likely to receive a more restrictive classification. Works which, taken as a whole, actively promote illegal behaviour will be cut or rejected. Portrayals of potentially dangerous behaviour (especially relating to hanging, suicide and self-harm) which children and young people are likely to copy, will be cut if a more restrictive classification is not appropriate.

Nudity

Natural nudity with no sexual context is acceptable at all classification levels, but will not occur more than occasionally in the lowest category.

Nudity with a sexual context will receive a more restrictive classification and strong detail in such a context will only be passed in the adult categories.

Sex

The portrayal of sexual activity can range from kissing and verbal references to ‘making love’, to detail of real sex. This is reflected in the classification system, in which progressively stronger portrayals are allowed as the categories rise.

Sex works (works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation) are likely to be passed only in the adult categories. Sex works containing only materials which may be simulated are generally passed ‘18’.

Sex works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the ‘R18’ category. ‘R18’ video works may be supplied only in licensed sex shops which no one under 18 may enter.

‘R18’films may be shown only in specially licensed cinemas.

These Guidelines will be applied to the same standard regardless of sexual orientation.