The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification)
The BBFC are an organisation that regulates films, videos, DVD's and games to check that they are suitable for the age classifications that they have been classified for, films producers must have their films classified before they are released, and so therefore the BBFC are a legal company. The classification of the film is determined by the guidelines that have been set for the BBFC to follow.
Two main principles that the BBFC should follow are that:
- The works should be allowed to reach the widest audience that is appropriate for their theme.
- Adults should be allowed to determine what they see as long as it stays within the law and if not harmful in any way.
Some other aspects of the film may influence the classification that it is put within; the expectations of the public, the works genre, the manner in which the work is presented, the intention of the filmmaker and the original production date of the work all may effect the classification that it is put in.
Where needed to BBFC are allowed to change the film, makes cuts and add warning captions in order to allow it to be placed within a certain classification.
The Classifications that films are placed in are:
Suitable for all- U films are set with a positive moral framework, and are suitable for any child to watch on their own, but should at least be suitable for any child 4 years and over.
In a U film, no discriminatory language or behaviour is used, no reference to illegal drug or drug use, is shown, scary sequences should be mild and should not put the child/ viewer under any stress or cause anxiety, no dangerous behaviour can be shown in case of a young child attempting to copy it, no bad language can be shown and no sexual behaviour further than kissing can be shown. Mild violence can be shown but nothing that that will have a serious outcome and the theme of the movie must be sensitive and appropriate for young children.
Parental Guidance- General viewing, but some scene may not be suitable for younger children. Any person unaccompanied may watch this rated film, the contents should not disturb and child aged 8 or older. Parents are therefore said to accompany any child younger than this age in case the images may be upsetting to them, in a film rated PG discriminatory language is not to be used, unless it is in a historical or educational context, frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense, no details of potentially dangerous behaviour can be shown and only mild bad language can be said, mild sex references can be shown only and only natural nudity is allowed and moderate violence without much detail may be allowed depending on the context that it is in.
Suitable for 12 years and over- The 12A category only exists in cinemas, no person under the age of 12 can see the film unless accompanied by an adult, as anyone under 12 may find the contents upsetting and/or parents may not think it suitable for children under this age to watch. In a 12/12A film discriminatory behaviours must not be endorsed, misuse of drugs must not be glamorised, moderate threat may be permitted as long as disturbing sequences are not sustained, any dangerous behaviour can not be shown in detail, moderate language and violence is allowed and the theme must be suitable for young adults.
Suitable for 15 years or over only- No one younger than 15 may see or buy a film rated 15 in a film rated 15 drug taking is allowed to be shown although it cannot in anyway promote drug misuse, strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic, dangerous behaviour shown should not dwell on detail, nudity is allowed and violence can be quite strong, any theme in permitted although it must be suitable for a 15 year old.
Suitable only for adults- No one younger then 18 may see or buy and 18 rated film. In order with the Human Rights Act, the BBFC have to keep the idea that adults should be able to choose their own entertainments and so films categorised as 18 do not have many guidelines, they are more guidelines for human rights rather then decency on screen, no criminal act can be shown or carried out when making the film, no risk or harm can be put on any individual and any sexual images must be justified in context.
Only to be shown in specially licensed cinemas and sold in licenced sex shops and to adults only- Any material that is in breach of the law may not be shown, any portrayal of sexual activity that doesn't show consent cannot be shown and infliction of pain or physical harm may not be shown.
The eci (Extended Classification Information) is the detailed information about the content of every film that is classified by them, to justify the classification that it has been given. It gives much more detail into the issues and the plot lines involved in the film.
