Research: Age certificates - Ms Begum

Age Certificates

What are age certificates?

Age certificates are set by the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) to determine and regulate what age group is suitable to view certain films.

The BBFC are the board in charge of regulating film age certificates and whether films can be shown or certain scenes within in the film. The age rating is completely determined by the BBFC and can only be changed by them.



Age Certificates
U– This age certificate stands for Universal and means that it can be viewed by anyone. Things that are shown in an Rated U film are:

• there is nothing unsuitable for children

 

 This is an example of a U rated film, this is because this film is for general viewing and anyone can watch it.



PG- This stands for Parental Guidance, this is for general viewing although some scenes within may not be appropriate for all children. Things that can be shown in a PG rated film:

• Mild language 
• Sex and drug references
• Moderate violence if justified by context (e.g. fantasy).

This film may contain scenes that might frighten small children so its completely down to the parents/ guardian to decide whether the child can watch it.

12a- Can be viewed by children aged 12 and older in the cinema only, children under the age of 12 can watch as long they’re accompanied by an adult. Things that can be shown in a 12a rated film:

• Mature themes
• Discrimination
• Soft drugs
• Infrequent strong language 
• Moderate violence
• Sex references and nudity
• Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed.
• Sexual violence may be implied or briefly indicated.

12- Can be viewed by children aged 12 and older but not in a cinema. Things that can be shown in a 12 rated film:

 

• Mature themes
• Discrimination
• Soft drugs
• Infrequent strong language
• Moderate violence
• Sex references and nudity
• Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed.
• Sexual violence may be implied or briefly indicated.

15- Can only be viewed by children aged 15 and older. Things that can be shown in a 15 rated film:

•  Adult themes
• Hard drugs
• Frequent strong language and limited use of very strong language
• Strong violence
• Strong sex references
• Nudity without graphic detail
• Sexual activity can be portrayed without strong detail
• Sexual violence can be shown if discreet and justified by context.

 18- Can be viewed by an audience aged 18. Things that can be shown in a 18 rated film:

 

•  No limitation on the bad language that is used
• Hard drugs are allowed
• Explicit sex references along with detailed sexual activity are also allowed.
• Scenes of strong real sex may be permitted if justified by the context
• Very strong, gory, and/or sadistic violence is usually permitted
• Strong sexual violence is permitted unless it is eroticised or excessively graphic

R18- This certificate is strictly restricted for adults 18 and older to view the film, access to these types of film can only be found in Licensed sex shops and Licensed adult cinemas. films that are rated R18 have much more explicit content. Things that can be shown in a R18 rated film:

•  Hard-core pornography 
• Real sexual activitystrong fetish material
• Explicit animated images.

 More cuts are demanded in this category than any other category and There is still material that is often cut from films with R18 rating:

• Strong images of injury in BDSM
• Urolagnia
• Scenes depicting/ suggesting incest (even if staged)
• References of underage sex or childhood sexual development
• Aggressive behaviours such as hair-pulling or spitting on a performer are not permitted.

Discuss 12A Rating - Spiderman 

When Spiderman was first released in 2002 it was originally given a 12 certificate rating. In doing so it was argued that it should've been given a PG rating instead, The BBFC on the otherhand said the film was too violent and shouldn't have a PG Raing and to stop the issue and allow it to be shown they gave it a 12A instead.

conclusion

Doing research on age certificates has helped me understand more about the BBFC and their role in the film industry, it has also given me better knowledge on what is shown in each age certificate. This has also given me a personal understanding as to what age certificate my thriller would roughly fit into and what content would class it into that age category. This will give me a general idea of what age group will be able to watch it.