P2. Regulating Bodies - BBFC

Censors, is a non-governmental organisation, funded by the film industry and responsible for the national classification and censorship of films within the United Kingdom. The BBFC was established in 1912 as the British Board of Film Censors, by members of the film industry, who would rather manage their own censorship than have national or local government do it for them; it began operating on 1 January 1913. Its legal basis was the Cinematograph Act 1909, which required cinemas to have licences from local authorities.

All films rated by the BBFC receive a certificate, along with "consumer advice" detailing references to sex, violence and coarse language. If a certificate specifies that a film or video game is only suitable for someone over a certain age, then only those over that age may buy it.

The Video Recordings Act requires that video releases not exempt (music, video games, etc) under the Act had to be classified, making it illegal to supply any recording that had not been certified. Certificates could restrict release to any age of 18 or under, or to only licensed sex-shops. The government currently designate the BBFC as the authority for certifying video releases. As the law requires the certificate to be displayed on the packaging and media labels of the video recording, in practice only UK releases can be legally sold or hired in the UK, even if a foreign release had identical content.

Ratings:

Coraline case study:
Why did the BBFC settle for a PG rating?

At PG the BBFC Guidelines allow some element of 'horror' provided it meets the criteria that 'frightening sequences' are not 'prolonged or intense'. Recently updated BBFC Guidelines go into even more detail about scary moments in children's films in the 'Main Issues' section:

“Many children enjoy the excitement of scary sequences, but, where films are targeted at a younger audience, classification decisions will take into account such factors as the frequency, length and detail of scary scenes as well as horror effects, including music and sound, and whether there is a swift and reassuring outcome.”

• Despite the scariness, the film features a number of ‘mitigating factors’ – elements which lessen the intensity of the more frightening scenes. These included moments of comedy and fun like silly songs, performances by dancing mice and the strange behaviour of the amusing and colourful neighbours. Additionally, a lot of emphasis is placed on the reassuring happy ending.
• The characterisation of Coraline also offered a strong argument for placing the work at PG. Coraline is shown to be a resourceful, courageous girl who, although she may occasionally be scared, always manages to find her way out of a difficult situation and eventually succeeds and defeats 'The Other Mother'.
• The biggest consideration was the fact that in Coraline, some of the scares come from people or places that should feel safe to children - for example their homes and parents. This was one of the reasons the examiners did not feel a U category would be suitable.
• At PG the BBFC Guidelines also state that 'fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor' and Coraline fits in the category of a fantasy film. The examiners recognised that the film's central idea of a parallel world would be a familiar idea for a child audience well used to similar plot devices in fairy tales. The film's fantastical elements: the talking cats, performing mice, and mothers with buttons for eyes, plus the fact that Coraline features animated models rather than human actors, all make it clear that Coraline's world is different from the real world of the audience.