2. What is the BBFC?
• A BBFC is British Board of Film Classification
3. What do they classify?
What they classify:
• Film
• Trailers
• Advertising
• Videos online (such as Love Film)
• Texts available over mobile networks
• Educational videos
• Music videos
• Video games
4. What are the 7 rating symbols ?
- Suitable for all ages
- Parental Guidance
- Cinema release suitable for 12 years and over
- Video release suitable for 12 years and over
- Suitable only for 15 years and over
- Suitable only for adults
- Adult works for licensed premises only
5. How do they classify films?
General Classification
Considerations
- Context
- Theme
- Tone & Impact
Specific Classification
Considerations
- Discrimination
- Drugs
- Imitable behaviour
- Language
- Nudity
- Sex
- Threat
- Violence
Other Matters
- Photo or pattern
sensitivity
- Motion sickness
- Reaction to low
frequency sound
- Release format
- Titles
The BBFC and examiners look at each of the classification considerations and
decide what is appropriate for each rating. For instance sex scenes wouldn’t
be appropriate for young children so the film wouldn’t be classified as a U or
PG.
6. Are the 7 symbols classified the same
or differently?
The seven symbols are classified differently as
they’re aimed at different age groups. As things
such as the general classifications (context, theme
and tone & impact) help define what film is
classified as. In films rated as U and PG violence is
not permitted as it is aimed at younger children and
whereas an 18 is for adults and adults have the
choice in what entertainment they can watch, so
things such as violence are aimed mainly at adults.
The tone and impact of things such as violence can
be strong/negative for children so it is permitted for
adults only.
7. Film Rating - 12/12A
12/12A means anyone aged 12 or above can go see the film unaccompanied. A stands for
‘accompanied’ and ‘advisory’. 12A is used for cinema release whereas 12 is used on things such as
DVDs etc. Children under 12 may see the film but they must be accompanied by an adult.
What classifies a film as 12/12A?
- Strong language such as ‘fuck’ can be used but infrequently. The context of this language is
important.
- Sex and sexual nudity can be briefly and discreetly portrayed.
- Moderate violence can be displayed however it should not show detail.
- No emphasis of blood or injuries should be used but occasional gory moments can be shown
if backed up by context.
- No discriminatory behavior should be shown.
- Infrequent sight of drugs.
Eg: King Kong (2005)
It is rated this way due to its frightening scenes, moderate horror and human
characters being in danger, and moderate but not strongly detailed violence
making it unsuitable for a PG. The fantasy elements such as the giant ape is
felt to mitigate the intensity of a film but PG would not be an adequate
warning to parents.
8. Case Studies Task
• ‘Black Swan’
• Year – 2010
• Rating – 15
• Uncut
• I learnt that black swan contains strong sex, strong language
and bloody images.
• I learnt that the film was mostly aimed at 15-17 age rate
• I learnt that the film was judged to be an important mitigating
factor.
• I learnt that the film is trying to educate young people
between 15-18
9. • I learnt that The Black Swan was sent in for advising view and had
no particular rating.
• Black Swan was on the 15/18 classification border due to one sexual
scene. However the tone is sensuous rather than pornographic.
• The sex scene was said to be contained within a 15 rating when it
was transpired that the whole event was imagined.
• Dangerous behaviour was included in the film (self-harm) however
the BBFC said it was judged sufficiently aversive in nature and
therefore unlikely to encourage copying.
• The issue of misuse drug use also occurs however due to Nina
suffering the consequences such as becoming disorientated and
losing control of her actions it is said that Black Swan did not
promote or encourage drug use.
• The Black Swan was passed at the same rating for its DVD (15).
