Film regulation and the BBFC - blog tasks

 Film regulation and the BBFC - blog tasks:

1) Research the BBFC in more detail: what is the institution responsible for? How is it funded? What link does it have to government? This history of the BBFC page may help.

 The institute has had the responsibility of classifying films since 1912, video tapes and discs since 1985, and more recently, online content. The BBFC is funded through charged fees. This means film distributors have always paid a fee to have their works rated. It has no link to the government since it is an independent, non-governmental body.

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

The BBFC's classifying decisions are reached by consensus, with the Chief Executive, the President and the two Vice Presidents taking final responsibility. Our Compliance Officers watch a combination of films, DVDs, and online content during each working day. Compliance Officers usually watch films for cinema release in the BBFC's own cinema, so they can experience the effect that imagery, editing and sound levels and special effects will have o a cinema audience. When there are no subtitles and the content is in a language not spoke by any of the team, Compliance Officers will work with a interpreter. With all the content they watch, they note details of the general theme or context. Distributors can ask for a specific age rating and while this won't determine the final decision, the Compliance Officer or team will consider it and make a judgement. If a Compliance Officer is unsure about anything or if the content seems to fall between two age ratings, it will be refers to the Compliance Manager or Head of Compliance.

3) Read this BBFC section on landmark 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?

The BBFC received 364 complaints from members of the public in 2008 about 'The Dark Knight'. In general, the complainants felt the film was too dark and too violent for children.

The bleak tone of the film, the 'adult' nature of some of its themes and the 'unhappy' ending were cited as not suitable for a film rated 12A, to which under-12 year olds could be taken, if accompanied by an adult. There were also concerns expressed that the knife threat in the film was inappropriate and insensitive in the current climate, and could encourage copycat attacks. A number of people found the facial injuries sustained by the Harvey 'Two-Face' Dent character were too gory and scary for young children. However, his wounds are clearly unrealistic and exaggerated special effects, and similar to other disfigurements found in The Mummy films (also classified 12). The death of the film's heroine, arguably the film's only sympathetic character, was unexpected and felt to be too disturbing for a 12A fantasy film. Many argued that the film should have been classified 15. There were even some calls for The Dark Knight to be classified 18, which would have restricted it to adults only.

4) What are the guidelines for a 12A certificate - Blinded By The Light's cinema certificate (it was rated 12 for its home video release)?

Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult.

5) The BBFC website offers an explanation of every classification it makes and detailed case studies on selected titles. Look at the rating for Blinded By The Light and explain why it was given a 12A certificate for cinema release.

Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Adults planning to take a child under 12 to view a 12A film should consider whether the film is suitable for that child. To help them decide, we recommend that they check the Ratings Info for that film in advance. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a 12 rated video work.

There is a scene in which two men are attacked by members of the National Front, resulting in brief bloody injury detail. There are racist references made to 'Pakis' as one character is spat on and made to move from his seat in a restaurant at the request of some racists. Racism is not condoned within the film.

There is infrequent moderate bad language ('wanker') as well as milder terms ('bloody hell', 'shit', 'crap', 'frickin', 'sod', 'Jesus').