What are the roles, responsibilities and powers of the BBFC and who funds them?
BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) aims to help children and families choose well by providing them with the guidance they need to help them choose what's right for them and avoid why's not - quoted from their website. Its responsibilities are to classify films, video tapes and discs, and recently online content. They are the designated body to have legal powers to rate, or occasionally cut or reject media works.
How do the BBFC regulate films in the UK?
BBFC obtained its right to regulate film in the UK through the licensing legislation. The Video Recordings Act (VRA) in 1984 authorizes them to apply the test of whether content is suitable for watching at home - taking into account the potential under-age viewing (extracted from BBFC website).
They consider the potential damage to the audience and society (which involves the viewer's behaviour). BBFC pays attention to content depicting drugs, sexual aspects, crimes, and violent behaviours.
They also pay close notice to indecent children images, animal cruelty, obscenity, racial hatred and human rights. The BBFC Compliance Officers analyse and give recommendations on the legality of content. For a specific legal question that requires much more complex analysis, they would reach out to external expert counsel.
Images or elements that are found to be damaging the UK law will be cut out. If the whole product violates the law, then it would be rejected.
Brief history of the BBFC.
BBFC, previously called British Board of Film Censors, was started by the film industry in 1912, when authorities are putting their interests in varying, censorship standards on films. They had the responsibility of classifying films since 1912, and video tapes and discs since 1985. Recently, as we entered the age of the Internet, they also regulate online content.
What forms of media are regulated by the BBFC and which forms of distribution do they cover?
BBFC is responsible for the national classification and censorship of films that are released commercially in cinemas or DVDs. They also classify video tapes and discs, as well as online content.
What are the age ratings of the BBFC and what are they allowed to include?
U Universal - Suitable for all: Although it is impossible to foresee what may distress a child, a U film should be appropriate for audiences aged four and up. It is set in a frame where offers reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror, which is suitable for pre-school kids.
- Dangerous behavior: dangerous or unsocial behaviour which kids may copy.
- Discrimination: it is doubtful that discriminatory words or conduct will be tolerated unless it is obviously unacceptable.
- Drugs: references to illicit substances must be infrequent, or serve a clear educational function or convey an anti-drug message appropriate for young children.
- Language: occasionally using only very mildly offensive language.
- Nudity: sporadic nudity without any sexual overtones.
- Sex: only references to very modest sexual behavior, like kissing, are allowed.
- Threat and horror: any frightening or possibly unpleasant episodes should be modest, brief, and unlikely to cause young children undue concern.
- Violence: mild violence could be permissible if the circumstances warrant it (comedic, animated, unrealistic).
PG Parental Guidance: General viewing, although some scenes might not be appropriate for small children. A child who is eight years old or older shouldn't be alarmed by a PG movie. Any age unaccompanied child may watch, although parents are urged to think about whether the material would offend younger or more sensitive youngsters.
- Dangerous behavior: no details on potentially harmful behavior that young kids might copy if it's portrayed as pleasant or safe, or realistic depiction of weapons.
- Discrimination: discriminatory language or behavior is unlikely to be accepted unless it is obviously unacceptable, in a setting that is instructional or historical, or in a particularly old work that is not likely to appeal to children.
- Drugs: any allusions to illegal substances or drug abuse must be benign or convey a proper anti-drug message.
- Language: mild bad language only.
- Nudity: nudity without a sexual context is acceptable.
- Sex: sexual behavior may be inferred, but it should be subtle and seldom.
- Threat and horror: the length or intensity of frightening scenes or circumstances when characters are in peril should be limited.
- Violence: very mild.
12A/12 Suitable for 12 years and over: The content in movies with a 12A rating and video works with a 12 rating is typically inappropriate for children under 12. Any person under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult to watch a 12A movie in a theater. When taking a child under the age of 12 to a 12A movie, adults should think about whether the movie is appropriate for the young audience member. It is advised to look up the film's content advisory beforehand to help them make their decision. A 12 rated video work cannot be rented or purchased by anybody under the age of 12.
- Dangerous behavior: no encouraging of possibly harmful behavior that kids might imitate. There should be no glamorization of practical or accessible weapons like knives.
- Discrimination: the work as a whole must not condone discriminatory speech or actions, unless clearly condemned.
- Drugs: drug abuse must be rare, and it shouldn't be glorified or accompanied by comprehensive instructions.
- Language: may be moderate bad language - strong language may be acceptable, depending on how it is used, by whom, how frequently it appears in the work as a whole, and whether there is any particular contextual reason.
- Nudity: sporadic nudity without any sexual overtones.
- Sex: sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Moderate sex references are permitted, but frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable.
- Threat and horror: somewhat frightening scenes with physical and psychological peril. Despite the possibility of some distressing situations, the general mood shouldn't be. Horror scenes shouldn't be used frequently or continuously.
- Violence: mild violence, but it shouldn't go into great detail. Blood or wounds shouldn't be highlighted, but brief instances of gore may be acceptable if the context allows for them.
15 Suitable only for 15 years and over: The age restriction for viewing a film in a theater is 15. A 15 rated video work cannot be rented or purchased by anybody under the age of 15.
- Dangerous behavior: self-harm, asphyxiation, and other dangerous behaviors shouldn't focus on specifics that could be duplicated. Considering elements like reality, context, and environment will help determine whether depicting weapons that are simple to obtain is appropriate.
- Discrimination: although there may be racist, homophobic, or other discriminatory themes and language, the work as a whole must not support such speech or conduct.
- Drugs: drug use may be depicted, but the overall work must not support or encourage drug abuse (for instance, through thorough training). It is unlikely that it will be acceptable for easily available, very dangerous compounds (such solvents or aerosols) to be misused.
- Language: very harsh language might be acceptable, depending on how it's used, who's using it, how often it appears in the work as a whole, and any other unique contextual justifications.
- Nudity: in a non-sexual or instructional setting, there are no restrictions on nudity. Although sexual nudity may be allowed, strong detail is probably going to be brief or portrayed in a lighthearted manner.
- Sex: while sexual action may be depicted, it is typically done without much detail. Strong verbal references to sexual behavior may occur. Strong references that are made repeatedly, especially ones that include pornographic language, are unlikely to be accepted.
- Threat and horror: there may be strong threat and horror.
- Violence: violence may be intense, but it shouldn't focus on causing harm or suffering. Even the most graphic images are unlikely to be tolerated.
18 Suitable for only adults: A movie rated 18 cannot be seen in a theater by anybody under 18. A video with an 18+ rating cannot be rented or purchased by anyone under 18. Adults ought to have the autonomy to select their own entertainment. But there are exceptions:
- If the content has been made via the commission of a crime or violates the law.
- Where a sex work has more graphic depictions of sexual action. Arousal or stimulation of sex is the main goal of sex works. Sex works that are exclusively made up of simulated content are typically considered to be passed 18. R18 will only be used for sexual works with overtly explicit animated pictures, strong fetish content, and other overtly sexual imagery.
What forms of legislation are relevant to BBFC regulation?The Video Recordings Act (VRA) 1984 permits BBFC to apply the test of whether content is suitable for watching at home - taking into consideration the possibility of underage viewing - which is what gives the BBFC the authority to regulate film in the UK.
