All film ratings are audited by the BBFC, British Board of Film Classification which allows the content to be rated and assigned an appropriate minimum age range that are allowed to view it. Film ratings are very important because they allow film makers to create films that are extreme without causing distress to inappropriate audiences, because they can be shown to mature audiences who are capable of understanding the logic and meaning behind some complex issues. It also allows film makers to pinpoint their target audience, because if the film includes issues relatable to an average teenager, they can request a rating that reflects this.
I came across an interesting video when deciding the film rating of our short film, in which Shane Meadows makes a point that 'This Is England' was rated an 18 because of the fight scene at the end, which meant that some of the actors who stared in the film, including main character Thomas Turgoose who played Shaun, where unable to view it in cinema or premier at its release. His irritation came from the fact that films depicting war, mass battle and violence were not rated as certificate 18 yet through having the fight scene at the end his was. Watching this gave me some serious consideration, as by rating our film too low inappropriate audiences who couldn't appreciate or understand it could view it, and by rating it too high we could exclude some of our target audience and appear patronising not allowing younger people to watch it.
I think our film is most suited to a certificate rating of 15. The content of the film is not visual nor distressing enough to be classed as an 18 in my opinion, as the film focuses on somebody more around the age of 15-16 and is very much psychological. After watching the interview above I have also chosen for our film to be a 15 because I want people around that age who can relate to be able to watch it, as rating of 18 excludes a large section of a possible audience of teenagers.
However the reason we haven't rated as a 12 is because some of the themes and issues implied and shown are too mature for someone of that age, and won't be fully understood therefore defeating the purpose of the film.
Below is the bbfcs criteria for a film to rated a fifteen certificate, and I have written in red in each section to explain how this relates to our film, justifying our decision.
Suitable only for 15 years and over, no one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.
Discrimination
The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.
Our film contains no discriminatory language or behaviour, with only one reference to homosexuality used in a mild, non offensive format.
Drugs
Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.
Our film does not show, promote or encourage any form of drug taking or solvent abuse. The implication of drinking alcohol is shown once, but not in an extreme manner.
Horror
Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.
Our film contains elements of slight sexual and abusive threat, but in a subtle and non-visual form.
Imitable behaviour
Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
There is reference to dangerous behaviour at the very ending of our short film, however the deed itself is not shown, glamorised or encourage as the character performs their actions within context and due to their personal situation. No detail of the actual suicide is dwelled on.
Language
There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.
No or very minimal swearing is used throughout the film, with only one reference to an offensive term that is not considered as swearing.
Nudity
Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.
The implications of nudity are shown once, with no detail and within context of the narrative.
Sex
Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.
Our film contains one verbal reference, which is more of an implication to sexual abuse, and one scene that is not visual and very much implies the act of sex. The films purpose is not sexual arousal or stimulation.
Theme
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.
The themes covered in our film are mature, however realistically a fifteen year old would be aware of all of them and is mature enough for exposure because its done in a subtle way that implies rather than portrays.
Violence
Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.
Any form of violence, sexual or non is discreet in our film and does not dwell on the deed itself and the pain inflicted upon the person.
