BBFC(Hartt)

BBFC

Why are the BBFC so important to the film industry?
The BBFC which stands for British Board of film classification are a regulatory body which are made responsible for the classification of films. They're aim is to protect the public, mainly children from footage that may cause harm or effect them, this is why they are so important to the film industry.


 A 'U'film is suitable for audiences four years and older. It should be set with a positve moral frameword and should offer reassuring counterblances to any violence, threat or horror.

An example of a certificate 'U' film is 'High School Musical' which is about two students who meet at a new years eve party singing on karaoke. One week later Troy goes back to school to find Gabriella's a new student there. Immediately they become close friends and audition for a school musical. Their friends try to find ways of making the two hate eachother so they don't take part. This is suitable for certificate 'U' because it has a positive impact on the audience which will come across as being true to yourself, acceptance and supporting eachother.


 PG allows general viewing, unaccompanied children of all ages may watch the film although some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. It should not disturb children of aged eight years or older, parents must consider whether or not the film is suitable or may upset sensitive children.

Matilda is about a young girl with a love for knowledge who overcomes her parents dissaproval. She starts school for the first time at an older age than most children. She forms a close bond with a sensitive teacher when then Matilda discovers her own special abilities. It then later on goes on to the teacher adopting Matilda. This film is suitable for certificate 'PG' because there are some scenes of bullying which parents may consider to be unacceptable for children.


The certificate '12' is awared where the film is only acceptable to be seen by viewers aged 12 years or over. Some scenes may contain material that parents find unsuitable for children under 12 years. The certificate '12A' only exists in cinema films. Anyone younger than '12' may not see the film with certificate '12A' unless accompanied by an adult. It is reccomended that the film is unacceptable for children younger than 12 although an adult may take a child if they think the film is suitable for that child.

When Bella moves to forks she meets the Cullens a family of vampires who feed on human blood. Bella finds her self attracted to Edward Cullen who finds her scent so appealing and has to force himself to not drink her blood. This film is suitable for certificate 12/12A because adults may find it unsuitable for their children, which they could find as a horror for them as there are vampires and blood.

Anyone younger than 15 will not be able to see a certifcate '15' film in the cinema and also will not be able to rent or buy a dvd aged '15'

An example of a certificate '15' film is Final Destination. As a group of friends board on a plane one of them has a vision that the plane is going to explode, this leads to him throwing a fit and getting him and his friends kicked of the plane. The plane crashes and one by one death hunts them down and each of the friends start to mysteriously die. The ones remaining have to figure out what is going on before it happens to them. This film is suitable for certificate '15' because it has terror, violence and language throughout the film which may not be suitable for auidences under the age of 15.

Anyone younger than 18 will not be able to see a certificate '18' film in the cinema and also will not be able to rent or buy a dvd aged '18'

An example of a certificate '18' film is The Heartbreak Kid. Eddie and Lila meet and just after one week he proposes to her. While on their honeymoon in Mexico Lila reveals her true awful nature, while Eddie meets Miranda, which he happens to realise is his actual soul mate. He must keep his new wife while he trys to get Miranda to fall for him. This film is suitable for the certificate '18' because it has very strong language and comic sex scenes in.


The certificate 'R18' is not be supplied by anyone younger than 18 and is only to be shown in specially licensed cinemas or supplied in sex shops to those who are older than 18 years.


In September 2001 the BBFC announced that they would look at the possibility of making the 12 category an advisory catergory like 'U' and 'PG' as parents had been complaining. In 2001 the BBFC carried out a study which allowed under 12s to watch 12 rated films during the eight week period. The results were that the public only accepted of making the 12 cinema rating advisory if the child under 12 was accomponied by an adult throughout the film.
Later on in May 2002 the BBFC carried out a national survey and got over 70% of people supporting the introduction to 12A which is now known that children under 12 must be accomponied by an adult. Spiderman was going to be considered as a 'PG' but due to an amount of personal violence and a revenge scene that the BBFC thought was beyond unacceptable to be a 'PG' it was made a '12' As this decision was made it became unpopular by dissapointed children and some suprised parents questioning the decision as spiderman was specially marketed at young children with them collecting spiderman merchandises. The BBFC defended the 12 decision.