Film classification.

1. BBFC Post:
The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) is a trusted guide to media content. Working
as an independent, self-financing and non-profit media content regulator, the BBFC operates
transparent, consistent and trusted co-regulatory and self-regulatory classification and
labelling systems in the UK. They oversee the content within films and determine the
classification of which age restriction it falls under. They do this to ensure they protect the
public, especially children from content which may cause risk or harm to them. They do this
by assenting different categories and then decide the film classification.
These categories include;
• Discrimination
• Horror
• Imitable behaviour
• Language
• Nudity
• Sex
• Themes
• Violence
However there are two overarching factors which are ‘context’ and ‘tone and impact’.
The rating in which I am going to give my film is:
I have given my film this certificate due to the content within it and how it is presented. The content
is not particularly scary and has no themes of supernatural however does convey violence and other
themes which are only suited for a mature, understanding audience and therefore is not suitable for
a younger age group. The certificate of 15 ensures that those old enough to view the film are
welcome to and this ensures that it meets the target audience age group.
Within the film there are certain aspects which have to be taken into consideration when deciding
the certificate. There is mild use of language within the film and the film does not solely concentrate
on the language and is not a key factor however does relate to certain scenes within it. There are
scenes of some dark images for instance in the opening where the noose is present however the
audience does not see what happens after this as it goes to a flashback therefore the scene itself
does not last too long meaning that due to the infrequency of the scene and the length, the age
rating does not have to be too high though has to be for a mature audience that understands ideas
Violence Graphic
Language Moderate, Mild Language
Sex/Nudity None
Themes Horror, Conflict, Violence, Depression, Imitable Behaviour

2. and conventions of psychological mind sets and reasons why people do certain things. This is also
relevant to scenes in which the family members are murdered as violence is represented on the
screen but again these scenes are very infrequent and are not always directly shown to the audience
therefore enabling the given age certificate. Themes of depression are apparent within the film and
are evidently shown when Joel – the main character, isolates himself and his mind takes control over
him. Typically speaking those within the age category of our primary audience are most
understanding of the situations associated with the themes within the film as they will have learnt
about these types of things within education and with having watched the news and television and
so are able to understand the film and this is why the film is only a 15 rating. It’s also only a 15 rated
film because it’s a psychological horror compared to that of other, more sinister horror films such as
Texas Chainsaw Massacre which is rated 18.
In conclusion to this the film is rated in relation to the primary and secondary target audiences and
the themes within the film. I have selected what I consider to be an appropriate age rating of 15 for
the film due to the infrequent and short scenes of horror throughout and due to the film being a
psychological horror over more graphically content films which have previously been released. The
age rating of 15 ensures that the audience will be mature and are not at risk from harm in contrast
to that of a younger audience.