Film classification in the UK

Jim Barratt8 March 2010

AimIntroduction to UK film and video classification

Overview• Why study censorship?• Brief history• Legal considerations• BBFC structure• Mechanics of classification• Challenges

Why study censorship?It is intrinsic to the film business- the way films are made, marketed, distributed and consumed

• Knowledge of the classification system informs film making and marketing decisions, and the way audiences approach filmsExample: PG-13 f-word

• Boundary setting defines the limits of acceptability and film makers and marketers sometimes like to push against boundariesExample: 9 Songs (2005) 'The most sexually explicit film in the history of British cinema' (The Guardian)

Charlie's Angels (2000)

This is England (2007)

Brief history

Key trend over time= liberalisation and rationalisation

Moralistic paternalism

Bureaucratic protectionism

• Unwritten rules• Shared values, rigid moral code• We know what's best for you

• Published guidelines• Public consultation• Child protection

1912

Social changes

Censorship changes

1920s 1930s 1940s

British Board of Film Censors established

Prohibits 'indecorous, ambiguous and irreverent titles', 'unnecessary exhibition of under-clothing' etc.

1932- introduction of 'U', 'A' and 'H' symbols

Pre-war: Victorian values

Inter-war years:General strike, Depression and decline of the empire

1950s

Social changes

Censorship changes

1960s 1970s

1951- 'X' category introduced

The Wild One (1954)Release delayed for 13 years for 'spectacle of unbridled hooliganism'

1960- Lady Chatterley's Lover trial

Post-war prosperity& birth of theteenager!

Baby-boomers come of age; sexual and social liberation

The dream sours:economic downturn and social unrest

1970- 'X' raised to 18

1980s• Home video takes off• ‘Video nasties’- DPP list• Video Recordings Act 1984• Name changed to British Board of Film Classification• ‘A’ becomes ‘PG’, ‘AA’ changes to ‘15’ and ‘X’ becomes

‘18’. ‘R18’ introduced for films to be shown in private members clubs or sold in licensed premises

• ‘12’ rating added in 1989 (Batman)

1990s• Juvenile crime and video violence• Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994• 1998- Andreas Whittam Smith becomes President and

steers Board towards greater openness and transparency (published guidelines)

• Consultation led to relaxation of sex restrictions at ‘15’ and ‘18’. Portrayal of real sex was allowed at ‘18’ provided it was ‘exceptionally justified by context’

2000s• ‘12A’ replaces ‘12’ for film- parental responsibility• Consumer advice• Byron Review of child safety in the digital age (2008)• BBFC Online

– 63% of adults (74% of parents) are concerned about downloading video material which does not come with independent content advice and labeling.

– 84% of adults (91% of parents) want to see BBFC film and DVD classification on downloadable / streaming films and other digital audiovisual content.

“We give the public information that empowers them to make appropriate viewing decisions for themselves and those in their care. We help to protect vulnerable viewers and society from the effects of viewing potentially harmful or unsuitable content while respecting adult freedom of choice.”

BBFC Vision Statement

Cuts and rejections over the decades

Question:

Which decade saw more films cut and

banned than any other?

Source: BBFC

Legal considerations (1)

Video Recordings Act 1984 – Requires BBFC to have special regard for

any harm to those likely to view a video and any harm to society through the behaviour of those viewers

Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937– It is illegal to show any scene ‘organised or

directed’ to involve actual cruelty to animals (e.g. Snatch 2000)

Legal considerations (2)

Protection of Children Act 1978 – It is illegal to show indecent photographs of

a child (under 18)

Obscene Publications Act 1959– It is illegal to show a work that is obscene.

A work may be found obscene if, taken as a whole, it has the tendency to ‘deprave and corrupt’ a significant proportion of the audience.

BBFC structure

President & Vice Presidents

Director

Council of Management

Heads of Policy & Press

Examining teamAdministration

Advisory Panel onChildren's Viewing

Consultative Committee

Video Appeals Committee

Senior Examiners

Mechanics of classification

• Films are submitted by distributors and classified for a fee.

• They are viewed by two examiners, who write a report recommending a classification.

• Others are involved if decision is not forthcoming or likely to be controversial.

• There is no automatic right of appeal for film decisions (End of the Affair, 1999; Honest, 2000; This is England, 2007).

ChallengesTo the organisation:• Legal reforms (e.g. Digital Economy Bill, video games and

PEGI).• Changing market, falling revenues.

To the system:• Availability of unclassified works (e.g. piracy, grey imports etc.).• New formats that bypass the system (e.g. downloads, mobile

applications etc.).

www.BiggerPictureResearch.net