What is the BBFC?
The BBFC stands for the British Board of Film Classification. It is a body who classify films by age according the containment of elements within the film to protect young/vulnerable viewers. Regulation is important because society is made aware of the guidelines given by the BBFC to advise if the film is suitable for their personal viewing. Classifying films can be difficult because many films overlap within the age classification groups created by the BBFC. 12A was recently introduced because many viewers argued that Spiderman (2002) showed too much violence within the film and also had a controversial narrative. However, many counter argued that Spiderman was a legendary comic book hero and felt that children under the age of 12 would be deprived of not being allowed to see the film. Therefore, the BBFC created the age classification of 12A to allow children under 12 to watch, with the permission and under the observation of their parent. Guidelines for a film rated 18 are based on the principle that adults are aware of their own personal psychological containment when watching the film. They can guarantee that the film will not cause any harm to themselves or others through potential disturbance of their own mental health.
Below I have referred to each film classification, an example of a film that falls into that classification and them further explained why it falls in that category. This research will assist me in identifying that classification will be most suited to my own thriller so that I can establish my target audience. A target audience is key as the film must appeal to them and therefore by establishing who they are, I can also begin to plan elements of my film that the audience can find them appealing.
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a ‘U’ film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. ‘U’ films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.
Example: UP
A young Carl Fredrickson meets a young adventure-spirited girl named Ellie. They both dream of going to a lost land in South America. 70 years later, Ellie has died. Carl remembers the promise he made to her. Then, when he inadvertently hits a construction worker, he is forced to go to a retirement home. But before they can take him, he and his house fly away. However, he has a stowaway aboard: a hilarious 8-year-old boy named Russell, who's trying to get an Assisting the Elderly badge. Together, they embark on an adventure, where they encounter talking dogs, an evil villain and a rare bird named Kevin.
From the summary of events within the film UP, the film classification 'U' would be seen as most suitable to this film. The adventurous atmosphere of the film sets a 'positive moral framework' for the young audience it has been targeted at. There is no suggestion of violence or threat, however an evil villain has been mentioned. But, as the description of a 'U' classification says, the film offers 'reassuring counterbalances' such as talking dogs, animals and other funny characters.
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PG - General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children
Example: Enchanted
In an animated fairy tale world, a young girl meets and falls in love with the handsome prince of her dreams. News of this romance upsets the prince's mother, the evil queen, who uses her black magic to send the girl hurtling out of the animated world into the one place in the universe where there is no true love: modern day Manhattan. The now-real girl has to survive in New York City and find her way home again to her true love.
From the summary of the film Enchanted, the film classification 'PG' would be seen as most suitable for this film. As this film contains characters such as the 'evil queen, who uses black magic' children of a younger age may find this disturbing and therefore will need to be accompanied by their parents. Also, as the film isn't animated and is set in real life situation, children may find it more realistic and therefore increasingly intimidating to watch. Consequently, children are advised to be with parents while watching a this film.
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12 - Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained. No persons under the age of 12 are advised to watch
Example: Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol
Ethan Hunt is broken out of a Russian prison by IMF team members and begins his search for an international terrorist who has successfully stolen Russian arming codes for their nuclear missiles. They must first identify him and the only way to do so is to break into the Kremlin archives. The end result is that much of the Kremlin is destroyed and now Russian agents are after the IMF. They track the thief, now identified as Kurt Hendricks, to Dubai where an attempt to con him out of the codes fail. They then follow him to Mumbai where it's believed he will transmit the signals to launch the Russian missiles at the USA.
From this summary of the plot in the film Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol, the film classification '12' would be seen as most suitable to this film. The location of a prison, characters including terrorists and events of thieving, murder and chase suggest potential 'moderate physical and psychological threat' for the audience. However, these 'disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained' and therefore is most suited to this age classification.
12A - Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained. Children under the age of 12 are required to be accompanied by an adult.
Example: Spiderman
On a school field trip, Peter Parker is bitten by a genetically modified spider. He wakes up the next morning with incredible powers. After witnessing the death of his uncle, Parkers decides to put his new skills to use in order to rid the city of evil, but someone else has other plans. The Green Goblin sees Spider-Man as a threat and must dispose of him. Even if it means the Goblin has to target Parker's Aunt and the girl he secretly pines for.
From this summary of the film Spiderman, the film classification '12A' would be seen as most suitable to this film. As occurrence of death, evil characters and threat of death/kidnapping is within the film, 'moderate physical and psychological' is potential to those who are watching. However the unrealistic situation of the antagonist having 'incredible powers' by being bitten by a spider offers a balance of events and therefore emotions of the viewers, making the film suitable for children accompanied by adults.
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15 - Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised. Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury.
Example: Never Back Down
At his new high school, a rebellious teen Jake Tyler is lured into an ultimate underground fighting club in a Backyard Fight, where he finds a mentor in a mixed martial arts veteran. After receiving threats to the safety of his friends and family, Jake seeks the mentoring of a veteran fighter, to train his mind and body for one final no-holds-barred elimination fight with his unrelenting personal nemesis and local martial arts champion Ryan McCarthy.
From this plot summary taken from the film Never Back Down, the film classification '15' would be seen as most suitable to this film. This film has a strong occurrence of violence, and therefore is a main theme within the film. This fits the classification description according to 'strong threat and menace are permitted'. However, the violence occurring is not dwelled upon and is therefore suitable for those of an age 15 and over.
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18 - Suitable only for adults. Nobody younger than 18 may see an '18' film in a cinema. Nobody younger than 18 may rent or buy an '18' rated video (These films may contain extreme gore/violence and/or sexually explicit content).
Example: Seven
A film about two homicide detectives' desperate hunt for a serial killer who justifies his crimes as absolution for the world's ignorance of the Seven Deadly Sins. The movie takes us from the tortured remains of one victim to the next as the psychopathic "John Doe" sermonizes to Detectives Sommerset and Mills -- one sin at a time. The sin of Gluttony comes first and the murderer's terrible capacity is graphically demonstrated in the dark and subdued tones characteristic of film noir. The seasoned and cultured Sommerset researches the Seven Deadly Sins in an effort to understand the killer's modus operandi while green Detective Mills scoffs at his efforts to get inside the mind of a killer.
From the film description of Seven, the classification 18 is seen as most suitable for this film.
We can determine this as the film includes a serial killer who is described as a psychopathic which therefore displays 'extreme gore/violence', fitting the film classification. Also, the violence is 'graphically demonstrated' strengthening the previous argument. Consequently, the film is suitable for the 18 classification.
R18 - The ‘R18’ category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops.
My Film Classification
Within my own film, obsession is the main theme permitted which suggests psychological threat for viewers, through the disturbing mind of the antagonist. The 12A classification description implies 'moderate psychological threat' is evident, however it also states 'disturbing sequences are not frequent'. As obsession is the main focus of the film, sequences of a disturbing nature may be too frequent for children aged 12. Obsession may also lead to violence within the film but will not be dwelled upon, therefore will be most suitable to the 15 film classification. This criteria for a 15 classification includes; ‘strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised. Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury.’ As stated before, the film is heavily based on obsession and therefore this implies there is strong threat toward the antagonist, however such threat is not ‘sadistic’ or ‘sexualised’ and therefore is suited to this age restriction. Furthermore, violence could potentially stem from the said obsession but must not ‘dwell on the infliction of pain’ but rather how the consequences of such violence, again reinforcing the suitability of the 15 age classification.
Example: UP
A young Carl Fredrickson meets a young adventure-spirited girl named Ellie. They both dream of going to a lost land in South America. 70 years later, Ellie has died. Carl remembers the promise he made to her. Then, when he inadvertently hits a construction worker, he is forced to go to a retirement home. But before they can take him, he and his house fly away. However, he has a stowaway aboard: a hilarious 8-year-old boy named Russell, who's trying to get an Assisting the Elderly badge. Together, they embark on an adventure, where they encounter talking dogs, an evil villain and a rare bird named Kevin.
From the summary of events within the film UP, the film classification 'U' would be seen as most suitable to this film. The adventurous atmosphere of the film sets a 'positive moral framework' for the young audience it has been targeted at. There is no suggestion of violence or threat, however an evil villain has been mentioned. But, as the description of a 'U' classification says, the film offers 'reassuring counterbalances' such as talking dogs, animals and other funny characters.
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PG - General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children
Example: Enchanted
In an animated fairy tale world, a young girl meets and falls in love with the handsome prince of her dreams. News of this romance upsets the prince's mother, the evil queen, who uses her black magic to send the girl hurtling out of the animated world into the one place in the universe where there is no true love: modern day Manhattan. The now-real girl has to survive in New York City and find her way home again to her true love.
From the summary of the film Enchanted, the film classification 'PG' would be seen as most suitable for this film. As this film contains characters such as the 'evil queen, who uses black magic' children of a younger age may find this disturbing and therefore will need to be accompanied by their parents. Also, as the film isn't animated and is set in real life situation, children may find it more realistic and therefore increasingly intimidating to watch. Consequently, children are advised to be with parents while watching a this film.
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12 - Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained. No persons under the age of 12 are advised to watch
Example: Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol
Ethan Hunt is broken out of a Russian prison by IMF team members and begins his search for an international terrorist who has successfully stolen Russian arming codes for their nuclear missiles. They must first identify him and the only way to do so is to break into the Kremlin archives. The end result is that much of the Kremlin is destroyed and now Russian agents are after the IMF. They track the thief, now identified as Kurt Hendricks, to Dubai where an attempt to con him out of the codes fail. They then follow him to Mumbai where it's believed he will transmit the signals to launch the Russian missiles at the USA.
From this summary of the plot in the film Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol, the film classification '12' would be seen as most suitable to this film. The location of a prison, characters including terrorists and events of thieving, murder and chase suggest potential 'moderate physical and psychological threat' for the audience. However, these 'disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained' and therefore is most suited to this age classification.
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12A - Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained. Children under the age of 12 are required to be accompanied by an adult.
Example: Spiderman
On a school field trip, Peter Parker is bitten by a genetically modified spider. He wakes up the next morning with incredible powers. After witnessing the death of his uncle, Parkers decides to put his new skills to use in order to rid the city of evil, but someone else has other plans. The Green Goblin sees Spider-Man as a threat and must dispose of him. Even if it means the Goblin has to target Parker's Aunt and the girl he secretly pines for.
From this summary of the film Spiderman, the film classification '12A' would be seen as most suitable to this film. As occurrence of death, evil characters and threat of death/kidnapping is within the film, 'moderate physical and psychological' is potential to those who are watching. However the unrealistic situation of the antagonist having 'incredible powers' by being bitten by a spider offers a balance of events and therefore emotions of the viewers, making the film suitable for children accompanied by adults.
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15 - Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised. Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury.
Example: Never Back Down
At his new high school, a rebellious teen Jake Tyler is lured into an ultimate underground fighting club in a Backyard Fight, where he finds a mentor in a mixed martial arts veteran. After receiving threats to the safety of his friends and family, Jake seeks the mentoring of a veteran fighter, to train his mind and body for one final no-holds-barred elimination fight with his unrelenting personal nemesis and local martial arts champion Ryan McCarthy.
From this plot summary taken from the film Never Back Down, the film classification '15' would be seen as most suitable to this film. This film has a strong occurrence of violence, and therefore is a main theme within the film. This fits the classification description according to 'strong threat and menace are permitted'. However, the violence occurring is not dwelled upon and is therefore suitable for those of an age 15 and over.
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18 - Suitable only for adults. Nobody younger than 18 may see an '18' film in a cinema. Nobody younger than 18 may rent or buy an '18' rated video (These films may contain extreme gore/violence and/or sexually explicit content).
Example: Seven
A film about two homicide detectives' desperate hunt for a serial killer who justifies his crimes as absolution for the world's ignorance of the Seven Deadly Sins. The movie takes us from the tortured remains of one victim to the next as the psychopathic "John Doe" sermonizes to Detectives Sommerset and Mills -- one sin at a time. The sin of Gluttony comes first and the murderer's terrible capacity is graphically demonstrated in the dark and subdued tones characteristic of film noir. The seasoned and cultured Sommerset researches the Seven Deadly Sins in an effort to understand the killer's modus operandi while green Detective Mills scoffs at his efforts to get inside the mind of a killer.
From the film description of Seven, the classification 18 is seen as most suitable for this film.
We can determine this as the film includes a serial killer who is described as a psychopathic which therefore displays 'extreme gore/violence', fitting the film classification. Also, the violence is 'graphically demonstrated' strengthening the previous argument. Consequently, the film is suitable for the 18 classification.
R18 - The ‘R18’ category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops.
My Film Classification
Within my own film, obsession is the main theme permitted which suggests psychological threat for viewers, through the disturbing mind of the antagonist. The 12A classification description implies 'moderate psychological threat' is evident, however it also states 'disturbing sequences are not frequent'. As obsession is the main focus of the film, sequences of a disturbing nature may be too frequent for children aged 12. Obsession may also lead to violence within the film but will not be dwelled upon, therefore will be most suitable to the 15 film classification. This criteria for a 15 classification includes; ‘strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised. Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury.’ As stated before, the film is heavily based on obsession and therefore this implies there is strong threat toward the antagonist, however such threat is not ‘sadistic’ or ‘sexualised’ and therefore is suited to this age restriction. Furthermore, violence could potentially stem from the said obsession but must not ‘dwell on the infliction of pain’ but rather how the consequences of such violence, again reinforcing the suitability of the 15 age classification.
You have provided an excellent analysis of the various age certificates, providing relevant examples with strong explanations as to why they are suitable for these ages.
ReplyDeleteGood analysis of your own sequence and its age certificate.
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