How do fims receive their certificates?
The British Board of Film Classification has given
films their certificates since they were set up in 1912, and the certificates
for videos and DVDs since the Video Recordings Act was passed in 1984[1].
In order to
protect children from unsuitable and even harmful content in films and videos
the BBFC examines and age rates films and videos before they are released. This
independent analysis before release ensures a level of protection. They watch
films and videos and award an age rating and insight into each one. They decide
on an age rating by applying the standards and criteria they have outlined. Usually,
two examiners view a film for theatrical release. In most cases a Senior
Examiner will confirm the examiners’ recommendation. But if the Examiners are
in any doubt or fail to agree, or if important policy issues are involved, the
work may be seen by other members of the Board up to, and including, the
Director and Presidential team. Occasionally they need to take specialist
advice about the legal acceptability of film content or its potential for harm.
The same
process exists for DVDs and Blu-rays though generally these are normally seen
by one Examiner. However, opinions from other Examiners may be required for
more difficult works. They look at issues such as discrimination, drugs,
horror, dangerous and easily imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, and
violence when making decisions. The theme of the work is also an important
consideration. They also consider context, the tone and likely impact of a work
on the potential audience.
The release format of a work has an impact on
classification. The decisions on the age rating of DVDs and Blu-rays can
occasionally be stricter than at the cinema because there is a higher risk of
underage viewing in the home and a greater potential for watching scenes out of
context[2].
Universal (U)
Universal
films should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. They allow
infrequent use of very mild bad language (e.g. ‘damn’ and ‘hell’). Characters
may be seen kissing or cuddling and there may be references to sexual
behaviour. However, there will be no overt focus on sexual behaviour, language
or innuendo. Sex and sex references are treated the same irrespective of sexuality
so there could be mild or undetailed references at U. Violence will generally
be very mild. It may include small fight scenes or moments where characters are
in danger. However, moments of danger or threat will be quickly resolved and
have a reassuring outcome. There may be brief scary scenes and moments where
the characters are placed in danger. As with violence, however, these scenes
will be balanced by reassuring elements, such as comic interludes or music. ‘Baddie’
characters may carry or use weapons, but there will be no emphasis on these.
Child or ‘hero’ characters are unlikely to use any kind of weapon outside, for
example, historical settings. They are unlikely to contain discriminatory
language, and will generally contain positive messages about loyalty, honesty
and friendship, particularly amongst children[3].
Parental Guidance (PG)
Parental
Guidance means a film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes could be
unsuitable for younger children. It should not be unsettling for a child aged
about 8 or older. It will not contain any topic which is inappropriate for a
child, and can explore issues such as bullying, bereavement or racism. There
may be mild bad language (such as ‘shit’ or ‘son of a bitch’), but the context
and delivery are always important. Sex references are unlikely but they may be
vague and infrequent, and there may be innocent or passing references to
illegal drugs, though there should be no focus on it. Violence will normally be
mild, and there should be no detail of violence. There may be some blood, but we
would not see how the injury was inflicted in detail[4].
12 and 12A
Films
classified 12A and 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for
children aged under 12. No one younger than 12 can see a 12A film in a cinema
unless accompanied by an adult.
A 12A
requires an adult to accompany any child under 12 seeing a 12A film at the
cinema. Strong language may be passed at 12 or 12A, depending on the way in
which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency and any contextual
justification, and at 12A, moderate violence is allowed but it should not dwell
on detail. Any discriminatory language or behaviour will not be permitted by
the work as a whole. Sex may be briefly and discreetly represented at 12A or
12, and verbal sex references should not go beyond anything suitable for young
teenagers[5].
15
No-one
under 15 is allowed to see a 15 film at the cinema or buy/rent a 15 rated video
or DVD. No subject is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15
year olds. There may include strong violence, frequent strong language,
portrayals of sexual activity, strong verbal references to sex, sexual nudity, brief
scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence, discriminatory
language or behaviour and drug taking. There may be racist, homophobic or other
discriminatory language, and the work could explore themes relating to this,
and there could also be a great deal of strong language. Sexual activity can be
represented, but usually without strong detail, as with the showing of drugs
and drug use[6].
18
No-one
under 18 is allowed to see an 18 film at the cinema. No topic is barred in an
18 film. There could be very strong violence, frequent strong language, strong
portrayals of sexual activity, scenes of sexual violence, strong horror, strong
blood and gore, real sex and discriminatory language and behaviour. Cuts may
occasionally be made from an 18 film, such as if they breach criminal law, when
material may appear to pose a risk to us and explicit sex scenes[7].
R18
The R18
category is a special and legally-restricted classification primarily for
explicit works[8].
By Georgia DeBranco-Chessum
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