Film Classification For Our Film

When making a film it has to be seen be the BBFC to see which age certificate the film will be categorized as. For our film we have decided to categorize it as a 15 as our films contains violence and language which is usual for a 15 movie. However, it could be argued that our film could of been seen as an 18 if we did keep the rape/assault scene, if the film was a 15 it would attract a broader audience. From Hell which is about Jack the Ripper is an 18 as it contains drug use, strong gory violence and language which is why I'm concerned that our film may be an 18 as it contains violence and language. Which is why I feel that I should research both 15 and 18 guidelines so decide whether the film should be classified as an 15 or an 18.

Below is the 15 guidelines from the BBFC Website:

Discrimination
The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.

Drugs
Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

Horror
Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.

Imitable behaviour
Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Language
There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

Nudity
Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

Sex
Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.

Theme
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year old's.

Violence
Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence, but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.

And Below is the 18 guidelines from the BBFC Website:

In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s publicconsultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally over ride the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:

• where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence
• where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault
• where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’ (see below) would normally be confined to that category. In the case of video works (including video games), which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films.

Sex education at ‘18’

Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted.

Sex works at ‘18’

Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed ‘18’. Sex
works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated

images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the ‘R18’ category. Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at ‘R18’ is also unacceptable in a sex work at ‘18’.

After researching both the age 15 and 18 guidelines we have decided that our film should be categorized as a 15 as it contains language and violence. However, our film does portray sexualised violence but it is implied and the audience does not see the attack except a shot of Jack the Ripper standing above the victim and grabbing a knife which is implied violence. Our film being certificated as a 15 it can be viewed by a wider audience than if it was an 18.