Film Regulation and the BBFC: Blog Tasks :)

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.

They focus on providing families with what movies are suitable and which movies aren't- they research and aim to reflect the views of people across the country. With regards to funding, the BBFC is an independent, non-governmental body funded through charged fees which means that film distributors have always paid a fee to have their works rated and the BBFC is a not for profit organisation. Due to the fact that the BBFC is independent, it is also non-governmental so they do not have a link to the government 

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

Compliance Officers watch a combination of films, DVDs, and online content every day and note details of the general theme- plot, characters, outlines of individual scenes, timings of key moments, types of shots and camera angles, bad language, drug references, sex and violence, etc. and summarise details of issues and an argument to support the age recommendation 

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?

It generated a large amount of media coverage because there were many complaints from the public regarding the fact that they believed that the violence was too strong to be a 12A. I agree with this rating though because the 12A states that an adult must be accompanying the child so if the adult believes it is acceptable for the child to see the movie then it isn't the BBFC's fault but instead is the adult's fault for approving their child to see this movie 

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)?

If a media product is given a 12A certificate, the themes are suitable for young teenagers and there must be an infrequent use of strong language and racism. There must also be no nudity but suggestion towards sex is acceptable as long as there is nothing unsuitable for young teenagers. There must also be no dwelling on blood or injuries or drugs or imitable techniques (such as suicide or self-harming). There must be no approval of language or behaviour that would offend a large group of people 

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.

Blinded By The Light was given a 12A certificate because there is discrimination shown that resulted in bloody injuries as well as racist references (being called 'Pakis' and being spat on) but racism is not condoned in the film. There was also infrequent moderate bad language as well as milder terms and this mild language means that it can be a 12A because the language is not too extreme