Age Certificates, Do we need 'em?

Why are there age certificates?

To protect the ‘younger’ population from seeing inappropriate and adult intended films.

Make a list of some examples:

U

PG

12A

12

15

18

R18

BBFC- British board of film classification

Spiderman was the first 12A film released at the cinema, as the end fight scene wasn’t seen to be appropriate by the BFC for children unaccompanied by a parent or sibling.

TASK

The BBFC are important to the British film industry because they properly consult physiatrists on the different behaviours of young children and what the effects of some content found in films aimed at older kids or adults has on there mental health and common behaviour. If judged wrong the film scene ‘could’ affect the Childs life in the future and some theory’s have suggested that these films can turn these children into murderers, drug dealers ect… 

Universal- All ages admitted, there is nothing unsuitable for children.

For example the ‘Jungle Book’ has no scenes that can be ‘harmful’ for children to see. The characters in the jungle book are happy jungle animals so the child can relate to them from basically any age. The plot is also intractable for the kids as they can get involved and be happy.

Parental Guidance- All ages admitted, but certain scenes can be unsuitable for young children to see. (Moderate Violence can be one of the unsuitable characteristics but is acceptable if justified by the context e.g. fantasy.) a good example of a PG rated film would be Shrek as it has good moderate themes with some adult humor. He is a great example of a PG character as he connects with every fairy-tale possible. He also brings humor and a little bit of the adult world to kids and this prepares them for later life.

  

No one younger than 12 years old can see this movie unless  by someone over the age of 12. Spiderman was the first movie to be released like this, as the last scene was unsuitable for younger children. Can contain mature themes, discrimination, soft drugs, moderate swear words, infrequent strong and moderate strong violence, sex references, and nudity. Sexual activity can be briefly and discreetly displayed. Sexual violence may be implied or briefly indicated.  These are the same guidelines as a film of a 12 rating has. A 12 rated film is basically the same, as the 12A recommended guidelines but an adult is not needed to be witnessed by a 12 year old on there ones. A good example of this would be spiderman as it was intended to be a PG film but one sequence in the film led it to be the first 12A rated movie. The sequence stated is when spiderman is being defeated by the villain but in a very graphic way. This, they thought, could upset children so they allowed the film to go ahead with parental guidance.

 

Nobody younger than 15 can witness the content in this movie. Films under this category contain adult themes, hard drugs, frequent strong language (limited use of very strong language), strong violence, strong sex references and nudity without graphic detail. Sexual activity may be performed but without any strong detail. Sexual violence may be performed as long as it is used in the intended context. Shaun of the dead is an example that has all the limitations of a 15 rated film in. Its main one is explicit adult humor but also has gore and sexual references.

Nobody younger than 18 can witness the content in this movie.  Films of this rating have no limitations on the bad language severity or frequency hard drugs are generally allowed and explicit sex references along with detailed sexual content are also seen as appropriate. ‘Real” sex may be permitted if justified by the context. Very strong, sadistic violence usually permitted if not it is normally to explicit and to graphic. American phsyco is a film that is a true 18 rating. It messes with your head and has the most explicit, realistic and gory film that cannot be any other rating. 

My thriller film will be the rating of 15 as we cannot film the graphic gore shown in 18's but can portray a deeper meaning in our film and can 'mess with the head' of the audience. We will twist the film in a way that the audience feel they are a part of the film and that they cannot hep but display fear and terror.