Age rating films Heidi Renton April 2017 Created

Age rating films Heidi Renton April 2017

Created in 1912

H is for Horrific - 1932

Changes over time • Cut for X in 1958 • 15 on video 1997 • 15 on DVD 2003 • 12 A when film released by BFI in 2007

Classification categories Suitable for 15 years Suitable for 12 years+ No one younger than 12 can see a 12 A film unless accompanied by an adult Suitable for adults only Parental Guidance. General viewing but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children Universal. Suitable for all

Why do we do it? Films legally need a certificate – DVDs/Blurays too Protect children harm Help people, especially parents, decide on suitability Empower and inform the public

Digital services • Streamed/downloaded/VOD content: no legal obligation for classification [except UK music videos] – but UK content law still applies • 2008 BBFC launched voluntary Watch & Rate digital licensing • Over 30 VOD brands licensed to use BBFC information (eg Netflix, i. Tunes, Amazon Video, Microsoft, airline content) • 85% parents agree on importance of consistent online and offline classification • Customers can make safe, informed viewing choices; businesses protected from breaking UK law

Examining • • • Mostly solo viewing 5 -6 hours p/day, random works Advice viewing? Examiner’s report Post viewing discussion linked to: – Guidelines – Policy – Legal restrictions • • Confirmation viewing? Decision made Reports filed & checked Insight published online

Examining - Issues • • • Violence Imitable techniques Language Sex references Sexual violence Drugs Criminal activity Weapons Horror Theme Discrimination

Other considerations Story, style, treatment Audience address, appeal & expectations Moral framework Artistic or educational merit Potential offensiveness Precedent

The Simpsons Movie: Issues? Identify the issues in this clip Think about how we might classify it

The Simpsons Movie Nudity (of a ten-year-old boy) Children smoking Sex references / Violence BUT cartoon, known quantity, comic and ultimately passed at…

What is cut? • Most are ‘category cuts’ made by film distributors wanting a lower category • ‘Compulsory cuts’ made rarely – footage must be removed or no age certificate is given

What is the law? The Licensing Act Video Recordings Act The Obscene Publications Act Human Rights Act The Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act Race Relations Act Protection of Children Act

Adults are free to choose • Some material will offend some people • Credible harm risk or clear breach of the law? • High end material includes real sex, drug taking, real violence/killing/death But 18 also considered a mainstream category

15/18 borderline horror & violence Mitigating factors Aggravating factors • • • Sexualised violence • Inviting viewer complicity • Sadistic violence, torture, focus on inflicting pain & suffering • Racially motivated • Drugs, focus on imitable technique • Very strong language during violence • Vigilante hero/ endorsing violence Comedy Fantasy Lack of injury/process detail Moral hero

The moral framework For all works, across all issues, when deciding age appropriateness, we consider: Maturity level of audience Development level of moral compass/code of ethics Is behaviour shown normalised? Glamorised? Endorsed? Theme, tone & impact Potential harm. . .

BBFC & the UK film industry • Outreach work / Partnerships – supporting film industry and media literacy • Directors’ workshops - Noel Clarke (Adulthood, 4. 3. 2. 1, Fast Girls) Ben Wheatley (Kill List, Sightseers, High-Rise) Eran Creevy (Shifty, Welcome to the Punch) • BFI Academy / Barbican Future Film Youth Programmers / British Youth Film Academy summer schools • Reduced rates for student short films

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