This document compares film ratings given by the BBFC to indie films versus big studio films. It provides examples of the indie film This is England (2007) which received an 18 rating for racist violence and language, and Sweet Sixteen (2002) which got an 18 for strong language. The big studio films The Dark Knight (2008) and Paul (2011) are said to contain similarly violent or language yet received lower 12 ratings. The document suggests the BBFC may give more lenient ratings to big studio films compared to indie films.

1. BBFC – BIG 5 VS INDIE
SCOPE PRODUCTIONS

2. THIS IS ENGLAND (MEADOWS, 2007) - INDIE
• This is England was rated an 18 by the BBFC for ‘very strong racist violence’ and because of the use of
strong language.
• The central protagonist, Shaun Fields, played by Thomas Turgoose, was 13 when the movie was
released, meaning he couldn’t attend the premier.

3. THE DARK KNIGHT (NOLAN, 2008) – BIG 5
• The Dark Knight was rated a 12 by the BBFC as it ‘contains strong fantasy violence and sustained threat’.
• This sparked up a lot of conflict as there is a very violent scene involving someone getting their head
shoved into a pencil and it was still only rated a 12.

4. SWEET SIXTEEN (LOACH, 2002) - INDIE
• This is another example of where the main cast couldn’t attend the premier.
• The reason Sweet Sixteen received an 18 is because of the use of strong language.

5. PAUL (MOTTOLA, 2011) – BIG 5
• Contrasting with the Sweet Sixteen, Paul arguably has more frequent use of stong language and other
references which should have a higher rating.
• Often, BBFC will give much lower ratings to Big 5 companies than Indie companies.