Film Industry: BBFC film regulation

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 BBFC publishes detailed information about the content of every film that we rate, which we call BBFCinsight. BBFCinsight is aimed particularly at parents. It offers a summary of how and why a film was rated at any given category.
2) Read this BBFC guide to how films are rated. Summarise the process in 50 words.

The Board’s age ratings decisions are reached by consensus, with the Chief Executive, the President and the two Vice-Presidents taking ultimate responsibility. The Compliance Officers' daily viewing programme consists of a combination of film and DVD material. Until July 2012, some Compliance Officers also specialised in video games, as rating an interactive game could be a very different experience to rating a film or DVD.

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

Works should be allowed to reach the widest audience that is appropriate for their theme and treatment, and 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. it should not be too much but it cant be too strict.
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 BBFC's decision to award The Dark Knight the 12A rating resulted in much press coverage and complaints from members of the public, who thought the violence was too strong to be contained at that category. I agree with their decisions because the scenes were not extremely bad.
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 is a drama about two brothers, one with learning difficulties, who are faced with eviction.LANGUAGE

Three uses of very strong language (‘c**t’), one of which is directed by a male character to another in a moment of tension, while the other two refer to a woman who is not present at the time. There is also frequent use of strong language (‘f**k’).VIOLENCE

There is a scene of strong violence, in which a man is beaten up, resulting in bloody injury to his face.

The film contains strong, but not graphic, references to child abuse.