Policies on film classification

[hennesseybrown]

What is your policy on film and other classification issues?

Would you repeal the Video Recordings Act and / or oppose its introduction, since it was never properly ratified with the EC? As I understand it the requirement to have all such materials passed by the BBFC is a major issue for independent filmmakers and distributors, who are disproportionately affected by the BBFC's charges compared to the majors.

[scuzzmonkey]

personally speaking i have no real problem with the film classifications as they stand except for the refusal to rate films - effectively banning them. Imo, no film should be banned, just rated as an 18.

Age classifications - in my mind - make it easier for parents to limit what their kids see - however there are downsides, i reckon that it should be fundamentally the parents choice, so as long as a person over the limit is with someone who is underage, then it is their responsibility - but isn't that how its meant to be already?

as for alternate means, maybe a rainbow indicator system would work, not a strict age limit but something like

Violence: High, repeated.
Swearing: High, repeated.
Nudity: Minimal, tasteful.

or whatever.

[hennesseybrown]

Would you support a voluntary classification system, that someone might rate their film as a PG (say) without having to go through the BBFC? Or would it just be that films could be released as 18 certificates without BBFC involvement?

[Duke]

Personally, I'm quite happy with the classification system we have at the moment (apart from the unclassified part which may need some work). While it is legally binding (if properly ratified) on distribution, it is effectively voluntary in terms of viewing (much like alcohol consumption for those under 18?). I was able to watch films with a higher rating than my age because one or both of my parents decided that it was suitable for me/I could cope with it. The system acts as a guideline without placing any absolute restrictions; putting the "burden of responsibility" on parent/guardians where, in my opinion, it should be.

The trouble with self-rating is that it doesn't represent a uniform standard. If I see a film with a 12 rating, I know roughly what it is likely to contain (by comparison with other films, or by looking up the standards) and can judge based on that; with a self-assessment system, we lose that ability.

Another option would be to move films to the current system for video games (not the one proposed in the DEB) whereby anything "extreme" (defined in the Video Recordings Act 1984, Section 2(2)-(3) ) must go through the classification system, but other things are voluntary (i.e. they have a PEGI label, but that isn't binding).