this work

1. BBFC
The BBFC is the British Board of Film Classification, before 1985 when they where known
as British Board of Film Censors. They are a non-governmental organization, founded by the
film industry in 1912; they are responsible for the national classification and censorship of
films within the United Kingdom. They have a statutory requirement to classify videos, DVDs
and, to a lesser extent, some video games under the video recording act 2010. The BBFC get
their money from film producers who want to publish their product. The producers have to pay
to get their film to be analysed and given a certificate, they also get money when a member
from their company is called over by a film producers to analyse a section of their rehearsal.
Licensing legislation lies behind the BBFC's powers to regulate film in the UK while the video
recording act (VRA) in 1984, is the basis upon which the BBFC applies the test of whether a
product from a film producers is suitable for viewing in the home, their highest priority is
taking into account the potential harm
ful content for under-age viewing.
Legal Acts
There are three acts that have been passed by the government to insure the safety
of views in the sense of restricting too horrifying and shocking films to be published.
The acts being obscene publications act, 1984 video recording act and the child
protection act. Theses three acts give the BBFC the power they need to pass or
dene any film presented to them, if the film breaches the act/law then it is denied a
certificate. Looking at the first act, obscene publications act, it was established in
1979 to provide for the protection of literature and to strengthen the law concerning
pornography. An examples of a film denied a certificate because of the act is
strawdogs, it was denied a certificate because the film included a rape sequence
where the female was made to look like she’s enjoying it as to say its okay to rape
and that’s why it was banned because it encouraged rape. The second legal act put
in place in 1984, the video recording act, denied many films a certificate the most
commonly known one being Texas chainsaw massacre which was given a cinema
release but not a home release mainly due to the name which was a very aggressive
sounding tittle when it was released. The 1984 video recordings act gave the bbfc
power to ban this film for home entertainment, meaning nobody was able to view at
home or online. The main reason it was banned from video caset tapes purchasing is
because in does days they had the privilege of the rewind and loop button on VCRs,
this meant they could watch the explicit/gory scenes over and over again this caused
major concerns to the bbfc leading them to make the decision that Texas chainsaw
massacre was not to purchasable. The last act, protection of children act (self
explanatory) was the act passed by to protect young actors under the age of 16. The
act stated: children can’t do anything that’s exploitive e.g. nudity, they can’t be on set
for more then 4 hours. An example of a film who worked around this act so that their
film does not breech the act is the excerscit. In one scene the child actor was made
to look as if she was masturbating, but they couldn’t shoot that so instead they
replaced the child actor for a 21-year-old actor, this is so the child isn’t exploited and
the film keeps its shock.
Descent
The BBFC didn’t have a huge impact on the decent because the content in the film is
appropriate for the audience it was aimed for witch is 18 and the certificate given to it also fits
the genre of the film witch is horror. The reason the film was certified an 18 and not a 15 is
because of its features of horrific gory scene that should not be scene by teens under 18. Neil
marshal knew what he wanted to portray in the film and showed it with no difficulty because
the film went uncut so basically the film passed with no need for a remark.
Certificates

2. There are 7 certificates issued to films.
(Universal) This means all ages admitted allowed. Children aged 4 and over are
able to view because there is almost nothing unsuitable.
(Parental guidance) All ages admitted, but some certain scenes can be unsuitable for young
children. The scenes should not disturb children aged 8 or older. The film may contain mild
language or sex/drug references and some moderate violence if justified by context parent may
wish to check the content before they let their children watch
12,12A, this category applies to cinema only releases since 2002. Films under this category
are considered to be unsuitable for young children under 12. 12A-rated films are usually given
a 12 certificate for the VHS/DVD version unless extra material has been added that requires a
higher rating. Films under this category can contain mature themes, discrimination, soft drugs,
infrequent strong language and moderate violence, sex references and nudity. Sexual activity
may be briefly and discreetly portrayed.
These films are only suitable for people aged 15 and older. It is illegal to supply a VHS, DVD, Blu-
ray Disc, UMD, video game, or film tickets with a 15 certificate to anyone under that age, you will
get charged and arrested. In the film there’s hard drugs, adult themes, regular use of foul
language and limited use of strong language, strong violence and nudity without graphic detail.
There is sex but without any detail. Sexual violence may be shown if discreet and justified by
context.
A film with the certificate18 is like a 15 but to the fullextent, they have no limitation so in
nothing is censored and no cuts are made all swear words are allowed,all sexually graphic
scenes are shown nothing is restricted. Suitable for people aged 18 or older, which means
adults only. It’s illegal to provide these types of films to a younger audience.
This is mostly pornographic films that can only be shown at licensed adult cinemas or sold at
licensed sex shop. It is illegal to sell a film with this rating to anyone under the age of 18, and it
is also illegal to supply a film with this rating by mail order. These films are defined as material
intended for sexual stimulation and containing clear images of real sexual activity, strong fetish
material, explicit animated images, or sight of certain acts such as triple simultaneous
penetration and snowballing.