Genre and Classification of Films

By Emma Waite

What is genre?a style or category of art, music, or literature.

Why Genre is important?• Advertising purposes • To establish if it’s your type of film that you

like to watch. • Genre will help indicate what would be shown

or said in a film.•

Film Genre’s:Action Science Fiction WesternComedy Romance Thriller HorrorAdventure

Hybrid Films:Action AdventureRom-comAction ThrillerSuperheroAction horrorAction Comedy Spy

The U symbol stands for Universal. A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. However, it is impossible to predict what might upset a particular child, especially at this lower end of the category range. Characters may be seen kissing or cuddling.

PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means a film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for younger children. A PG film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. Parents should consider whether the content might upset younger or more sensitive children. Smoking and drinking will not be promoted

12A means that anyone aged 12 or over can go and see the film unaccompanied. The A stands for 'accompanied' and 'advisory'. Children younger than 12 may see the film if they are accompanied by an adult (eg someone over the age of 18), who must watch the film with them. There may be moderate language and sexual scenes may briefly and discreetly be shown at 12 or 12A.

No-one under 15 is allowed to see a 15 film at the cinema or buy/rent a ‘15’ rated DVD. 15 rated works are not suitable for children under 15 years of age. 15 works are stronger than 12 or 12A rated works and could include any of the following: strong violence, frequent strong language (eg 'f***’),portrayals of sexual activity, strong verbal references to sex, sexual nuditybrief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence, discriminatory language or behavior and drug taking

Films rated 18 are for adults. No-one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 film at the cinema or buy/rent an 18 rated DVD. No 18 rated works are suitable for children. 18 works are for adults and can contain strong issues such as: very strong violence, frequent strong language (eg 'f***') and/or very strong language (eg ‘c***’), strong, portrayals of sexual activity, scenes of sexual violence, strong horror, strong blood and gore, real sex (in some circumstances), discriminatory language and behaviour.

The ‘R18’ category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. ‘R18’ videos may not be supplied by mail order.

Information found on:

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/