How the industry is regulated
In the UK every commercially released film that is shown in cinemas and then is releases on to a DVD is reviewed and classified by the British board of film classification into an appropriate age restricted classification based on the content within the film itself. in some cases for a film to be released at its desired age rating, the British board of film classification will ask the creator of the film to cut or to edit different parts of the film out to make it suitable for the audience that they are aiming it at
The age rating are based upon different aspects such as the legal requirements and the British board of film classification's policies. over the years that this company has been around they have change significantly. Originally there policies for a age range were never broken but now they allow them to be based on the context that is used in the film. This approach makes it easier for different films to be allowed to film for a desired target audience that what it could have been.
film age classifications are also based upon the social behaviours in every day life. meaning that with the different aspects that are not socially acceptable would be given a high rating than normal. this approach also allows for change in classification borders if social opinions change for example in the 1920’s it was not acceptable to have films with revolutionary politics as a main subject and in the 1950’s films with nudity were also banned. in the present day that have the aspect of sexual violence are more harass, and therefore more lenient on the mentioned subjects.
Age classifications
U- The U
symbol stands for Universal. A U film should be suitable for audiences aged
four years and over. However, it is impossible to predict what might upset a
particular child, especially at this lower end of the category range.
PG- PG stands for Parental Guidance. This
means a film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable
for younger children. A PG film should not disturb a child aged around eight or
older. Parents should consider whether the content might upset younger or more
sensitive children.
12 & 12A- 12A means that anyone aged 12 or
over can go and see the film unaccompanied. The A stands for 'accompanied' and
'advisory'. Children younger than 12 may see the film if they are accompanied
by an adult (e.g. someone over the age of 18), who must watch the film with them.
12 is only for video, DVD and Blu-ray. Works classified at these categories may upset
children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable
for them. The
BBFC's Guidelines state that there may be strong language (e.g. 'f***') at 12
or 12A, but it must be infrequent. The context of the strong language is
important. Sex
may be briefly and discreetly portrayed at 12 or 12A. At 12A, moderate violence is allowed
but it should not dwell on detail. Dangerous behaviour (for example hanging,
suicide and self-harming) may be present in 12 or 12A works but will not dwell
on detail which could be copied or present those activities as pain or harm
free. Discriminatory behaviour should not be endorsed by the film as a whole. There
may be infrequent sight of drugs misuse in a 12 or a 12A but the portrayal
should not be glamorised or provide instructional details.
15- No-one under 15 is allowed to see a 15 film
at the cinema or buy/rent a ‘15’ rated DVD.
15 rated works are not suitable for children under 15 years of age. 15 works are stronger than 12 or 12A
rated works and could include any of the following; strong violence, frequent
strong language (e.g. 'f***'), 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, drug
taking.
18- Films rated 18 are for adults. No-one under
18 is allowed to see an 18 film at the cinema or buy/rent an 18 rated DVD. No
18 rated works are suitable for children. No theme is prohibited at 18. Adults are free
to pick their own entertainment within the law, so it is possible some themes
tackled at 18 may be offensive even to some adult viewers. works are for adults and can contain
strong issues such as; very strong violence, frequent strong language (e.g.
'f***') and/or very strong language (e.g. ‘c***’), strong portrayals of sexual
activity, scenes of sexual violence, strong horror, strong blood and gore, real
sex (in some circumstances), discriminatory language and behaviour.