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? 

The BBFC is a non-governmental organisation; the BBFC keeps its classifications within bounds deemed acceptable to government. The institution is responsible for the national classification and censorship of films exhibited at cinemas and video works (such as television programmes and trailers) It is an independent, non-governmental body funded through charged fees. 
2) Read this BBFC guide to how films are rated. Summarise the process in 50 words.

BBFC has to make some very tricky judgement calls. In assessing the likelihood of ‘harm’, how does unreal violence compare with real violence? And with pleasant/unpleasant sex? And with bad language, generally reflecting reality?  The BBFC has been classifying films and giving them age ratings since it was established by the film industry in 1912.

3) Read this BBFC outline of the issues faced when classifying a film. Summarise the debate in 50 words. The debate is about how adults should be eligible to choose what they want to watch as long as it remains within the law and is not potentially harmful. The BBFC determines whether the material is may cause any harm at the age rating concerned. This includes not just any harm that may result from the behaviour of potential viewers, but also any ‘moral harm’. Also whether the context in which an issue (such as sex, language or violence) is presented is central to the question of its acceptability.

4) Read this BBFC section on controversial 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 audience believed that the material had violence which was too strong to be contained at that category. In my opinion, a 12A certificate movie doesn't include that much aggression neither any sex references therefore, for a movie to have a strong level of violence should be classified with a 15+ certificate.   

5) What are the guidelines for a 15 certificate?

A 15 certificate contains 9 guidelines which are: Dangerous behaviour, Discrimination, Drugs, Language, Nudity, Sex, sexual violence, Threat/horror and violence.

6) The BBFC website offers an explanation of every classification it makes and detailed case studies on selected titles. Look at the rating for Chicken and explain why it was given a 15 certificate.

The movie chicken is classfied with a 15 certificate because it has very strong language, strong violence and many sex references.