Film classification in the UK Jim Barratt 10 February 2009

Aim Introduction to UK film and video classification Overview Why study censorship? Brief history Legal considerations BBFC structure Mechanics of classification Challenges

Introduction 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 films Example: PG-13 f-word Boundary setting defines the limits of acceptability and film makers and marketers sometimes like to push against boundaries Example: 9 Songs (2005) 'The most sexually explicit film in the history of British cinema' ( The Guardian )

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 films

Example: PG-13 f-word

Boundary setting defines the limits of acceptability and film makers and marketers sometimes like to push against boundaries

Example: 9 Songs (2005) 'The most sexually explicit film in the history of British cinema' ( The Guardian )

Charlie's Angels (2000) This is England (2007)

Charlie's Angels (2000)

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

Key trend over time= liberalisation and rationalisation

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 the teenager! 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 )

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’

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.

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

“ 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? Clue: It's not the one with the strictest rules

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)

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.

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 team Administration Advisory Panel on Children's Viewing Consultative Committee Video Appeals Committee

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)

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)

Challenges Legal reforms Availability of unclassified works (e.g. piracy, grey imports etc.) New formats that bypass the system (e.g. downloads, mobile applications etc.) Media literacy is seen as one solution

Legal reforms

Availability of unclassified works (e.g. piracy, grey imports etc.)

New formats that bypass the system (e.g. downloads, mobile applications etc.)

Media literacy is seen as one solution

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