Research: Film Censorship - MR S

Film Censorship

Who are the BBFC and what is their role?

The BBFC stands for, British, Board of Film Classification. Their job is to protect

the public from anything offensive that is used in a film or could cause any harm. There are

two methods in what the BBFC use to edit films:

CUT : When a film is edited or has had scenes taken out of it to make it is suitable for viewing.

BANNED: A film is taken away from cinema viewing completely due to indecent and harmful.

Why is the role of the BBFC important to the film industry?

The BBFC is an independent body which was originally established by the film industry in 1912.

Some films get Censorship, as it presents content that the BBFC does not allow for. They revise the film due to the specific content it shows.

Why might a film be censored?

A film may get censored for the audiences safety and to ensure that the audience isn't effected or influenced by the film.

- Extreme violence 

- Graphic representation and realism

- Corrupt the young 

- Controversy and the press 

- Sex and nudity 

- Sexual violence

- Religion

- Class

- Language 

- Shock 

- Drug abuse

- Culture 

- Race

- True events 

Example of a Banned thriller:

The Excorist: 

This Film has been banned in the several countries including the UK in 1974, the narrative of this film is that a 12-year old girl is possessed by demons, a young priest takes it upon himself to selflessly save her at the behest of her famous movie-star mother. The reason why the film was banned because it had an X- rating from the BBFC, this meant that the film was not suitable for viewing as the film introduced extreme violence. 

Example of a Cut thriller:

This film was banned in 40 and more countries, it was banned completely from the UK as the film introduces death scenes from the real world off media. Many people have found this disturbing as well as some of the actual on-camera deaths of a variety of animals, the main reason why the BBFC has asked the director of this film to cut scenes that show real life accidents. 

Discuss the Forna and Kermode debate

Journalist and broadcaster Aminatta Forna makes the case for censorship while film critic and broadcaster Mark Kermode makes the case against.

Forna knows importance of freedom but recognises that freedom comes with responsibility. Allowing some groups use freedom to stir racial hatred removes the freedom of minorities to live without persecution. Despite the Race a relations. Where as, Kermode, argues that cuts and edits to a film can change the meaning of a film and does not expose the correct message to the audience therefore should not be censored in order for the audience to understand the film properly and the meaning. He believes that everybody who watches films have different interpretations and different views meaning that film censorship will not stop the audience from forming interpretations therefore is irrelevant in his eyes. 

Conclusion

From this research about film classification, When creating my own Thriller, i need to make sure I do show to much violence as it may not be suitable for my Audience, as my audience age rate is '15' (Age Certification.)