Film Regulation and The BBFC

1) Research the BBFC in more detail: what is the institution responsible for? How is it funded? What link does it have to government? This history of the BBFC page may help. 

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is independent, non-governmental and not-for-profit, and has had the responsibility of classifying films since 1912, video tapes and discs since 1985, and more recently, online content. 

It is funded through charged fees.

The BBFC is here to help everyone in the UK choose age-appropriate films, videos and websites, wherever and however they watch or use them.

2) Read this BBFC guide to how films are rated. Summarise the process in 50 words.

They note details of the general theme or context – plot, characters and the outline of individual scenes – along with the timings of key moments, the type of shots and camera angles, bad language, drug references, sex and violence, and so on.  Should content be found to be illegal or unacceptable under the published BBFC Guidelines, Compliance Officers will draw up a list of cuts which will be sent to the distributor. If the content as a whole is unacceptable, it can be rejected, but this happens only rarely. 

3) Read this BBFC section on landmark decisions. Why did The Dark Knight generate a large amount of media coverage regarding its certificate? Do you agree with the 12A certificate The Dark Knight was awarded?

The examiners who classified the film agreed it met the Guidelines criteria The violence in the film is quickly edited, and whilst sometimes crunchy, it is almost entirely lacking in any blood or injury details. The impacts of blows are mostly masked by actors’ bodies or camera angles, but the impression of violence is occasionally strong. A number of people complained to the BBFC about a scene claiming to have actually seen the pencil entering a man’s eye. This is not the case, but highlights a potential classification issue of the power of suggested, rather than explicit, violence, in that the tone and impression of a film is sometimes stronger than the actual details on screen. Nevertheless, the BBFC judged the clear fantasy action context and audience familiarity with the superhero genre as sufficient mitigation against the film's sometimes dark tone, hence it was rated 12A. However, despite The Dark Knight not being a simplistic ‘good vs evil’ battle, the BBFC felt that the tone and themes could be accommodated within Guidelines at 12A, and was suitable for young adolescents.

I do agree that a 12A certificate is suitable for The Dark Knight, because although it does show some harsh scenes, there is no particular detail of blood and injury.

4) What are the guidelines for a 12A certificate - Blinded By The Light's cinema certificate (it was rated 12 for its home video release)?

12A guidelines:

Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Adults planning to take a child under 12 to view a 12A film should consider whether the film is suitable for that child. To help them decide, we recommend that they check the Ratings Info for that film in advance. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a 12 rated video work.

5) The BBFC website offers an explanation of every classification it makes and detailed case studies on selected titles. Look at the rating for Blinded By The Light and explain why it was given a 12A certificate for cinema release.

Discrimination:

There is a scene in which two men are attacked by members of the National Front, resulting in brief bloody injury detail. There are racist references made to 'Pakis' as one character is spat on and made to move from his seat in a restaurant at the request of some racists. Racism is not condoned within the film.

Language:

There is infrequent moderate bad language ('wanker') as well as milder terms ('bloody hell', 'shit', 'crap', 'frickin', 'sod', 'Jesus').