Certificates - Research

Certificates are an essential part of a film as they are given by the bbfc (British Board of Film Classification) in the UK, as well as other boards in other countries, and decide who films are suitable for. However, it is common in the promotion of films and the marketing campaigns that a film is not yet certified. That is because the bbfc have many films to go through and give a certificate, and it is not necessary to give a film a certificate a long time in advance. This is common, so when films are marketed, their is usually an indication (on teaser trailers, not necessarily posters) of whether there is a certificate or not.

The bbfc have guidelines to help them decide what certificate a film will be given;

12/12A

• 12A requires an adult to be accompanying a child under the age of 12, whereas a 12 is suitable only for people aged 12 and over.
• Tone of movie must not be dark and unsettling, must not disturb the audience.
• Strong language such as "F***" is acceptable depending on the manner that it is said. Aggressive use of strong language is deemed unacceptable. Moderate language is allowed. Discriminatory language and behaviour is also not tolerated.
• Some nudity is allowed but sexual content should be brief and discreet.
• Moderate violence is allowed. Should be no emphasis on injuries or blood. Action sequences and weapons are acceptable, although easily accessible weapons (knives etc.) should not be glamorised.
• Dangerous behaviour (hanging, suicide etc.) may be present, but not focused on.

15

• Strong language is accepted, although certain words (C***) are allowed, but with moderation and restraint.
• Racist and discriminatory language and behaviour is allowed, but the work as a whole should not endorse this.
• Nudity and sexual activity can be portrayed, but without strong detail. Strong references to sex and sexual behaviour are allowed, but crude references are unacceptable unless justified by context.
• Strong violence is allowed, but it should not dwell on the affliction of pain on an injury. Strong gory images and sadistic violence is unacceptable.
• Drugs and drug-taking is acceptable as long as it is not encouraged. The misuse of drugs is unlikely to be allowed to be shown.
• Horror films can include a strong threat, as long as there isn't a focus on sadistic or sexualised threat.

18

• No limits to strong language
• Racist and homophobic discrimination is allowed, although the work as a whole should not breach any relevant legislations.
• No constraints to the amount of sex and nudity in the work. Very strong, rude and crude sexual references are allowed.
• Strong violence allowed. No constraints to the showing of pain and injury, as well as to scenes of strong sadistic and sexual violence.
• Horror films may contain gore or a sustained threat.
• Drug-taking is allowed, but work must not promote or encourage drug misuse.