BBFC Institution research

1) Research the BBFC: what is the institution responsible for? How is it funded? What link does it have to government?

The BFFC, also known as ‘The British Board of Film Classification’ and previously ‘The British Board of Film Censors’, is an independent body founded in 1912. They are the UK's regulator of film and video. They provide age ratings or film certificates such as U, PG, 12A, 15 and so on. This certificate specifies that a film or video game is only suitable for someone over a certain age. Essentially, it distinguishes content into age categories. Therefore, the content is then restricted to only those over that certain age to purchase the material. As a designated body, they have obtained certain legal powers over content such as the ability to rate, censor, cut or even reject works from publication entirely. According to the official website, they ‘are designated with statutory responsibility for the classification of video works under the Video Recordings Act’. The ‘Video Recordings Act’ is an Act of the the United Kingdom that was passed in 1984. It states that 'commercial video recordings for sale or hire within the UK must carry a classification'. To continue, this age clarification within this act, must have been agreed upon by an authority designated by the Home Office (a ministerial office responsible for several things such as security.) The British Board of Film Classification, has been active in the certification of content since appointed as the classifying authority by Home Office in 1985. 

Although their submitted content appears to be predominantly films, and videos, they also are responsible for identifying websites as pornographic, they have been informally named as the ‘likely regulator’ of websites. The BBFC also provides service for mobile phone operators and video games. BBFC guidelines for film and video are used to filter or restrict access to internet content for mobile phone users under 18 years of age.

Moreover, the independence of this UK film regulator subsequently means their income is derived entirely from the fees obtained from their services. This is calculated by assessing the running time of films, and from the fees it charges for classifying films and videos.

2) Read this BBFC guide to how films are rated. Summarise the process in 50 words.

Film classification includes examiners watching submitted films whilst logging details of the content, which includes the general context, timings of key moments, bad language, drug references etc. Next, details of the issues are discussed and an argument in support of the recommended age rating is conducted. Finally, the film is awarded an age rating and BBFCinsight.

(BBFCinsight is a short synopsis of the issues found in the content. It will tell you what certificate a film was given and what sort of audience we believe the work is suitable for.)

3) Read this BBFC outline of the issues faced when classifying a film. Summarise the debate in 50 words.

The argument begins by arguing the freedom of content and censorship. Then continues to the need of ensuring some form of safety from ‘moral harm’ towards its consumers. They argue that classification provides this. Although some work is more challenging to tackle, it is essential to provide an award of classification to it. 

4) Read this BBFC section on controversial decisions. Why did The Dark Knight generate a large amount of media coverage regarding its certificate? Do you agree with the 12A certificate The Dark Knight was awarded?

Occasionally, age classifications produced by the BBFC may cause a controversy or ‘moral panic’ due to the sheer fact that ideas of what is appropriate to different age categories is very subjective. The Dark Knight is a prime example of a film that demonstrated this. The issue seen with this movie is that people perceived it as not falling under 12A certificate as there were points that appeared to break the regulations set under this certificate. 

Firstly, the main classification issues in The Dark Knight was the overall tone of the film. Its sombre, dark tone and the 'adult' nature of some of its themes along with the bleak ending was cited as unsuitable for a film rated 12A. Also, another predominant issue was the amount of violence and threat it contained. The 12A regulations claim that ‘Violence must not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries and blood.’ There were a significant numbers of complaints about the 12A rating from members of the public regarding this guideline. However, this was justified by the violence in the film being quickly edited and almost entirely lacking in any vivid imagery of blood or injury. Moreover, The Dark Knight was considered by the BBFC as having the tone and themes that could be accommodated within the regulations of 12A, that was suitable for young adolescents. As a result of assessing all these factors, the examiners who classified the film agreed it met the criteria.

Personally, I think that the certificate it was awarded, was in fact entirely justifiable. Despite the abnormally high amounts of complaints, I felt that the rating it was given abided the criteria entirely and actually children are far more able than the public assumes. Nonetheless, the publics response and feedback to The Dark Knight's classification, fed into the BBFC's importance of tone as a classification issue.

5) What are the guidelines for a 15 certificate?

From the website, they clearly state that 'The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour, although there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and language.' To elaborate on the specifics, citing to the official website, they firstly state that drug taking authorised but are obliged not promote or encourage drug misuse. They firmly state that menacing behaviour i.e suicide and self-harm should not reside on detail as they could cause similar behaviour. In terms of language, they do allow strong profanity but very strong language can be permitted depending on the circumstances of the context. Moreover, there are little to no restrictions of nudity in non-sexual academic context but otherwise they do not permit nudity with strong detail. This alludes to sex which is allowed to be shown but again, only if there is not a lot of strong detail.  There may be verbal references to sexual behaviour or acts, but the strongest references are improbable to be acceptable unless justified by context. In terms of violence, the BBFC allow acts of violence but directors must not dwell on the graphic gore of the infliction of injuries. The strongest bloodcurdling, gory images are unlikely to be accepted. 

6) The BBFC website offers an explanation of every classification it makes and detailed case studies on selected titles. Choose one 15-rated film from the BBFC case studies section and summarise the classification the film was given and why. 

The 15-rated film I have picked is called Attack The Block, a British horror movie, submitted to the BBFC in 2011. The examiners reported on this film stating that it was 'clear from the characters, the tone of the work and the general address, that it had strong appeal to older teenage viewers.' This is what first led them to lean towards a 15 rating rather than 12 or 12A. As well as this, the film contained frequent and strong language throughout. It was reported that there were over 50 uses of 'fu*k.' Under the published BBFC Guidelines, only infrequent strong language is permitted at 12A so this work immediately appeared to not abide to 12A criteria. Therefore, the work was automatically moved to 15 category at first glance.

In terms of gore, violence and threat, examiners noted that it was strong throughout. Attack on the block consisted of bloody imagery as human characters were attacked, wounded and killed. At certain points within this film, a profusion of blood is visible, even gushing from characters’ mouths in one sequence. Another strong gory sight was of a young adult’s face being mutilated up by aliens. However, this was entirely justified by the contextual aspects. Examiners brought to light the fact that the work was based upon a fantastical context. This means that the aliens and monsters have less impact as they are clearly part of the film’s world and are the sort of elements audiences expect from this genre. Moreover, some also argued there were comical elements to the creatures, which further lessens the impact of their violence. Heightening this, there is no sadistic violence as it is all in the milieu of self-defence. This means that it does not in any way promote, encourage or glorify violence as a form of pleasure. Therefore there seems no problem with containing the violence and gore at 15. 

To continue, the portrayal of drug use, taking and dealing was also assessed. In the film there are frequent references to drugs. The BBFC Guidelines at the 15 certificate state that 'drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse'. The BBFC had to distinguish whether the vast volume of drugs references simply mirrored on the world of the film where characters were consumers of drugs, or if it ‘normalised’ and glamourised/glorified drug taking as a whole. As one of the characters was arrested for the possession of hard drugs, examiners concluded that it did fit the 15 criteria as it reflected the world of film where characters were consumers of drugs.

Examiners culminated, after discussing with other examiners and hierarchies of the industry, that the film met the 15 certificate. It was passed as a 15 and awarded this certificate in 2011 and the BBFCinsight made clear to the public that it contained strong profanity, gore, violence, drug references and minimal sex references.