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 British Board of Film Classification is responsible for giving films an age rating when viewed in cinemas.
It is an independent, non-governmental body funded through charged fees. This means film distributors have always paid a fee to have their works rated.

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

Compliance Officers watch films, dvds and online content. They note details of the general theme or context as well as key moments such as camera angles, bad language, drug references, and sex and violence. Their reports detail issues in the work and propose a recommended age rating. If a Compliance Officer is unsure about anything or if the content seems to fall between two age ratings, it will be referred to the Compliance Manager or Head of Compliance.

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

The BBFC considers whether the material is in conflict with the law, whether the material could potentially cause harm at the age rating considered (This includes moral harm such as desensitising minors to violence),whether the broad opinion of the public regards the content as clearly unacceptable, whether the context presents certain issues (sex, violence) as acceptable, and the overall tone.

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?

Many thought the violence was too strong to be contained at that category.

5) What are the guidelines for a 15 certificate?

Dangerous behaviour (for example, suicide, self-harming and asphyxiation) 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.

The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour, although there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and language.

Drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse (for example, through detailed instruction). The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

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.

There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. Sexual nudity may be permitted but strong detail is likely to be brief or presented in a comic context.

Sexual activity may be portrayed, but usually without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour. Repeated very strong references, particularly those using pornographic language, are unlikely to be acceptable. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal are unacceptable.

There may be strong verbal references to sexual violence but any depiction of the stronger forms of sexual violence, including rape, must not be detailed or prolonged. A strong and sustained focus on sexual threat is unacceptable.

There may be strong threat and horror. A sustained focus on sadistic threat is unlikely to be acceptable.

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.

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 has very strong language, strong violence and sex references, which would be considered too damaging to an audience under 15. However the BBFC didn't deem the content extreme enough to push Chicken to an 18 rating.