A- They are funded out of fees from distributors for the ratings that they provide
2. What types of texts do the BBFC classify?
A- The BBFC classify films but now recently have started to do it with videoes aswell
3. What are the problems / issues that the BBFC must deal with when classifying material? Look at the types of things they classify, ability to account for all types of content, changing context etc?
A- They deal with problems such as voilence, rape, sexual assualt aswell as extremes of human experience that are uncomfotable and serious issues in sosicety right now like medical operations, attacks on animals and real life executions.
4. Note the range of classification categories and what they mean
U-It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. But a ‘U’ film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. U films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.
Videos classified 'Uc' are particularly suitable for pre-school children and normally raise none of the issues set out below.
PG- Mild bad language only, natural nudity, with no sexual context and moderate violence justified by its setting (eg historic, comedy or fantasy).
A. 12 A- Suitable for 12 years and over. No-one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult
12- No-one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video or DVD. Responsibility for allowing under-12s to view lies with the accompanying or supervising adult.
15- There may be frequent use of strong language (eg 'fuck'). But the strongest terms (eg 'cunt') will be acceptable only where justified by the context. Continued aggressive use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable
18- No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video. Where material or treatment appears to the Board to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – e.g. any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which is likely to promote the activity.
5. Look at how different themes /content within texts are classified. Make notes. Why might a DVD featuring content of skateboarders and BMX bikers performing dangerous stunts be classified as 18 but a film containing a sex scene and use of the ‘f’ word only get a 15 rating?
The BBFC's current guidelines identify a number of specific areas of concern which are considered when awarding certificates or requiring cuts. These are theme, language i.e. profanity, nudity, sex, violence, sexual violence,harmful actions. The BBFC also continues to demand cuts of any material which it considers may breach the provisions of the obscene publications act or any other legislation. Some of these materials in films that are in 15 rated one like sexual activity might not breach the pulbications act and thats why its rated at 15 compared to possibly lighter ones like bike moves that are rated at 18.
6 . Why might a film be given a rating of 15 upon release at the cinema but 10 years later be classified as a 12?
This may be the case through the change, creation or updatification of a law that perhaps either bands or allows new things that creep into the film instusty. Maybe the film indsutry acts on social and economical links like reacting to what the public views as acceptable or unacceptable and putting that into effect by the classification of films. For instance showing a robbery on screen in front of kids maybe of been viewed as non thinkable nowadays but widely accepted in the past .
7. Who is responsible for classifying films in the USA? How has this changed over time?
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPPA) is the instituion that is resposonsible for classifying films in America. Thier was a period of time during the 1960s that young films makers getting into the industry and producing films of gross nature which was before the creation of the MPPA but after the studio systems of the 1940s so in between both. They included sex, voilence and drug use which made other classfication industires become stricter towards these types of films.
8. Canis Canem Edit (2006, Rockstar)b. Crash (1996, David Cronenberg)c. A Clockwork Orange (1971, Stanley Kubrick)d. Fight Club (1999, David Fincher)e. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001, Simon West)f. Sweet Sixteen (2002, Ken Loach)g. The Last Temptation of Christ (1988, Martin Scorcese)h. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974, Tobe Hooper)
Is the role of the BBFC simply to classify material to provide guidance or is its role that of a censor?
I think its a bit of both really considering thier history and the laws that they consider when instating new censorships. They classify material on the basis of views from society and have also been given powers to censor what they like so if they are acting on the widely accpeted wishes of the public then they are acting as a censor in attemtping to cut down on the gross nature exploited to innaporiate aged chirlden.
When they classify the different aged ratings they are based on the nature of the content which sometimes they have a national duty to censor if the material ever over steps the mark for a certain age group. They supposedly have the parents and chrildens bests intrests at heart and so must act on those and censor if neccisary so they arent just thier to provide guidnence but also act as a reliable censor to the public thier are serving.
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