Notes on Certification
Certification
is a system that is used by the BBFC that limits audiences of different ages
from watching movies. This means every film has a rating and is used to stop
kids from watching certain scenes in movies. It helps decide who can watch
certain movies and is based around age. This system is seen as a law when you
go into a cinema therefore if you are under the age rating of the film you are
not legally allowed to watch it in a cinema this also applies for buying it as
a DVD, but when watching it at home these are seen as guidelines and it is at
the parents discrepancy if they want to let their child watch it or not.
Universal (U) – Suitable for All
Films given the “Universal” rating are suitable
for children of the age of 4 over. If the film is aimed particularly at
pre-school children this will be indicated by the BBFC.
These films tend to be positive and should not
promote violent or evil actions. These movies shouldn’t contain any
discrimination, use of drugs (unless for education purposes or an anti-drug
message), imitable behavior, language, nudity, sex, horror or unsettling
sequence, violence.
Parental Guidance (PG) – General Viewing (some
scenes may be unsuitable for young children)
Films given the “Parental Guidance” rating
should not unsettle a child aged 8+. In the cinema children aged 8+ may see it
unaccompanied by an adult, but parents should consider if the content is
suitable for their children.
These films may contain discrimination if in an
educational or historical context, drug if in an anti-drug message, imitable
behavior if not promoted, mild language, implied sex, brief frightening
sequences, mild violence (without detail).
12A/12 – Suitable for people age 12 and over
No one younger than 12 are allowed to watch
movies rated 12 in cinema unless with an adult, but if the viewer is younger
than 12 the parents should consider whether this is suitable for their child.
To help parents decide parents are recommended to look at the BBFC insight on
the film.
These films should not contain aggressive discriminatory
language, glamorized misuse of drugs, promotion of potentially dangerous behavior,
strong language (moderate language is allowed, crude sex references, long horror
sequences, strong violence (with detail).
15 – Suitable for people age 15 and over
No one younger than 15 may see/rent this movie
in a cinema.
This movie can contain discrimination (but it
must not endorse it), the taking of drugs (but not promote it or give clear instruction
on how to use it), dangerous behavior (without detail), strong language, nudity
(in a non-sexual context), sex without strong detail), strong threat and
horror and strong violence.
18 – Suitable only for adults
No one younger than 18 may see/rent this movie
in a cinema. Adults are free to choose their on entertainment with only minor
exceptions such as…
·
Material in breach of
criminal law
·
Material or treatment appears
to us to risk/harm an individuals
·
Explicit images of sexual
activity
Sex education videos may show explicit images,
but videos with a main purpose of sexual arousal are not.
R18 – To be shown only in specially licensed
cinemas or supplied only in licensed sex shops to adults
The R1 category is a special age rating that is
primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish materials
involving adults.
The following content is not acceptable…
·
Material in breach of criminal
law
·
Material likely to encourage
sexual violence (this includes dialogue)
·
The portrayal of sex with no
consent
·
Infliction of pain
·
Penetration of any object
associated with violence or physical harm)
·
Sexual threats
All guidelines are applied regardless of sexual
orientation. Of the activity portrayed.
This will help me create my own film opening since I can now consider what age rating it will be and I now understand what the BBFC take into consideration when they rate a film.
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