Film Certification
Introduction
Every 4-5
years, the British Board of Film
Classification (BBFC) carries out a major “public consultation exercise” in
order to find out what the public thinks about the age rating of films/videos
before they are released, and whether they believe that the BBFC’s
classification standards meet public concerns. If there are changes in public
attitudes towards ratings, then the BBFC re-regulates its standards and
criteria accordingly.
The BBFC
state that they follow two particular principles:
“To protect children and vulnerable adults from potentially harmful or
otherwise unsuitable content1. To empower consumers, particularly
parents and those with responsibility for children, to make informed viewing
decisions2.”
The BBFC’s guidelines rate from ‘U’ to ‘R18’
U
The ‘U’
symbol stands for Universal. A U film should be suitable for viewers aged four
years and over.
Films and
videos aimed at very young viewers, such as Chuggington
or Tinga Tinga Tales are rated U.
However, the BBFC gives them ‘special BBFCinsight’ stating they are
‘particularly suitable for pre-school children3’. Films or videos
with this BBFCinsight typically should not raise significant issues in terms
of discrimination, drugs, imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, threat or
violence. Additionally, at U rating only infrequent use of very mild bad language
(e.g. ‘damn’ and ‘hell’) is permitted.
Characters
may be seen kissing or cuddling and there may be references to sexual
behaviour. However, there will be no obvious focus on sexual behaviour,
language or innuendo.
Violence is
generally very mild. A U film may include brief fight scenes or moments
where characters are placed in danger. However, moments of emotional stress or
threat will be quickly resolved and the outcome will be reassuring. There
may also be brief scary scenes and, as with violence, those particular
scenes should be controlled by comforting elements, such as comic interludes or
music. ‘Bad’ characters may carry/use weapons, but there will be no emphasis on
them; child or ‘good’ characters are unlikely to use any kind of weapon. Potentially
dangerous or anti-social behaviour that young children may copy, is clearly disapproved
of and disallowed.
At U there
is not normally be references to illegal drugs or drugs misuse unless there
is a very clear anti-drugs or educational message which would be understood by
a younger audience. Drugs references which are unlikely to be understood by
young children that are brief may occasionally be passed at U.
PG
PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means a
film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable
for young children. A PG film should not unsettle a child aged around eight
or older. Parents should consider whether the content may upset younger or
more sensitive children.
A PG film shouldn’t contain themes
considered inappropriate for a child. However, they can explore challenging
issues such as bullying, bereavement or racism.
There may be mild bad language (such
as ‘shit’), but the context and delivery are important in determining
appropriateness. For example, if the language is used aggressively or if there
is a lot of bad language, the film/video may be passed at a higher age rating.
Sex references are unlikely unless
they are undetailed and infrequent. In addition, if a child is unlikely
to understand a reference, it may be allowed. Comedy can also often minimise
the impact of sex references and innuendo.
Violence will usually be mild. There
should be no detail of violence, just mild reference. It is generally more
acceptable in a historical, comedic or fantasy setting, because of the distancing
they provide from the theme. In terms of threat and horror, some 'jumpy’
moments are allowed, as long as they are not prolonged or intense.
Potentially dangerous or anti-social
behaviour which young children are likely to copy, such as bullying, will not
be condoned, especially if it comes across as safe or fun. Easily accessible
weapons, such as knives, will not be made positive or focused on in a PG
film/video. Smoking and drinking will not be promoted or made positive, and
if child characters are seen smoking or drinking, there should be a clear
message that it is bad. If drugs are mentioned or seen, it should emphasise
that they are harmful.
12/12A
Films classified 12A and those classified as
12 may contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under
12. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied
by an adult. It is for the adult to decide whether or not it is suitable
for a person under the age of 12.
The 12A certification requires an adult to
accompany any child under 12 seeing a 12A film at the cinema. This is enforced
by cinema staff and a cinema may lose its license if adult accompaniment is not
enforced for children under 12 admitted to a 12A film. Accompanied viewing
cannot be enforced in the home, so the 12 certificate is used for DVD/Blu-ray,
rather than the 12A.
The BBFC's Guidelines state that strong
language (e.g. 'f***') may be passed at 12 or 12A, depending on: the manner in
which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency and any contextual
justification. Aggressive uses of strong language may result in a film or DVD
being placed at the 15 category as home use cannot be controlled.
Any discriminatory language or behaviour will
not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language (for
example homophobic or racist terms) is unlikely to be passed at 12A or 12
unless it is clearly condemned.
Sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed
at 12A or 12. Verbal sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for
young teenagers. Comedy may lessen the impact of some moderate sex references
or innuendo but frequent crude sex references are unlikely to be accepted at this
category. There may be nudity in 12A films but nudity in a sexual context
should only be brief and discreet.
At 12A, moderate violence is allowed but it
should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood,
but occasional gory moments may be permitted if they can be justified by their
context (for example brief sight of bloody injury in a medical drama).
Action sequences and weapons may be present
at 12A or 12, and there may be long fight scenes or similar. Weapons which
might be easily accessible to 12 year olds (such as knives) should not be
glamorised in 12A and 12 works.
Sexual violence, such as scenes of rape or
assault, may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated at 12A and 12.
Such scenes must also have a strong contextual justification.
Yes, some horror films are passed at this
category. Moderate physical and psychological threat is permitted at 12 or 12A
as long as horror sequences are not too frequent or sustained and the overall
tone is not disturbing.
Dangerous behaviour (for example hanging and
suicide) may be present in 12A or 12 works but will not dwell on detail which
could be copied or present those activities in a manner that children are
likely to copy.
Anti-social behaviour should not be endorsed.
There may be infrequent sight of drugs misuse
in a 12A or a 12 but the portrayal should not be glamorised or provide
instructional detail.
