Certificate Ratings- BBFC Research

Certificate Ratings- BBFC research

What does U mean?

The symbol U stands for 'universal'. A film that is rated U should be suitable for a person age 4 and over, however it is impossible to predict what might upset a particular child, especially at the lower end of this category range.

What about works for children younger than four?

The BBFC rate films and videos aimed at very young viewers (e.g. In The Night Garden), the BBFC give films such as In The Night Garden a special BBFC insight which will state that films and videos of that genre will be particularly suitable for pre-school children. Films and videos with the BBFC insight should raise no significant issue in terms of discrimination, drugs, horror, imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, theme or violence.

Will there be any bad languae in a U film?

As a U rated film the BBFC will only allow very mild bad language (e.g. 'damn' and 'hell'). Ocassioanlly, the BBFC will allow bad language such as 'bloody' or 'bugger', where justified by the context.

Do U works contain any sexual activity?

Characters may be seen kissing and cuddling and there maybe references to sexual behaviour (ie. to 'making love'), however their will be no overt or explicit sexual behaviour, language or innuendo(s). Homosexual and Hertosexual beahviour(s) and activity(s) are treated the same, so there may occassionally be references made to gay or straight sex at U rated film.

Is violence or horror permitted in a U film?

A U rated film may include brief scences which may include a fight or two, or even moments when a character may be placed in danger, however moments of emotional stress or threat will be quickly resolved and the outcome will be reassuring.

There may be brief scary scenes and moments where the character(s) are placed in danger, as with violence however the scenes will be balanced by reassuring elements such as comic interludes or music. The 'baddie' character may carry or use any kindof weapon outside (eg. historical settings). Potentially dangerous or imitable behaviour, particularly those which come across as safe or fun, will not be present.

What sorts of films are usually passed at U?

A U rated film can explore most themes, as long as they are appropriate for a young audience. Not all U rated films are children films, many adult films can be rated U as they do not contain any strong issues. A childs film rated at a U will generally contain positive messages about loyalty, honesty and friendship; the film or DVD will have a happy ending for the child and the overall tone should be one of the reassurances.

Films rated at U will generally unlikely to contain discriminatory language or behaviour unless it is clearly disapproved of.

Will there be references to drugs?

A U rated film will not normally include illegal drugs or drug misusage unless there is a very clear anti drug or educational message which will not be understood by a younger audience. Drug references which are unlikely to register with young children and are brief or passing may occassionally be passed a rated U certificate.

What does PG mean?

PG stands for 'parental guidence', this means a film is suitable for general viewing, although some scenes may be unsuitable for younger children. A fim that is rated PG should not disturb a child at the age of eight or older, parents should consider whether the content of the film may upset younger or more sensitive children.

Are all PG films made for youngers audiences?

No not all PG films are made for a younger audience, some films are given a PG certificate but have not been targeted towards a younger audience. The certificate rating of a PG film means that any issues that may come up are appropriate for the majority of the targeted age group and nothing should upset a child of eight or over.

What sort of themes are passed at PG?

There is no theme that is prohibited at PG: as long as the thtme is trated in an appropriate manner fot the category, PG films can explore many challenging issues (eg. domestic violence, bereavement or racism).

In a PG film illegal or antisocial behavior (eg. bullying) will not be condoned or be seen to go unchallenged. Smoking and drinking will not be promoted or glamourisedand if a child character can this there should be a clear message portrayed that suggests it is bad, if drugs arementioned or seen, a PG film should emphasise that they are harmful and no good.

Will there be bad language in a PG film?

In a PG film there may be mild bad language; such as 'shit' or 'son of a bitch', although the context and delivery of this is very important to make sure it does not come across to agressive or language is not overly abused(used).

What about sex?

Reference(s) to sex are acceptable within a PG film if the activity talked about or shown is implied and lacks detail. In addition if a child is unlikely to understand a referance within a film it may not be passed as PG. Comedy can also lessen the impact of sex references.

Heterosexual and homosexual sex and sex refernces will be treated in the same way, so there could be mild or undetailed references to gay or straight sex within a film rated at PG.

What about horror of violence in PG?

There should be no detail of violence within a film rated at PG, there may be some blood although the audience should not be shown how injury was inflicted in strong detail. Violence is genreally more acceptable in a historical or fantasy setting because of the distancing it provides. It is not uncommon for a PG film to feature 'roller-caoster' action or set pieces, where the emphasis is clearly on the adventure or journey of the main character(s) rather than the detail of violence and fighting.

The BBFC allow some 'jump' moments and scary scenes as far as horror goes, although sequences showing signficant or realistic violence, horror or threat must not be prolonged.

What about behaviour children might copy?

In a PG rated film there is potentially dangerous behavior(s) which children may copy (such as: climbing into washing machines or playing with electrics) but this is highly unlikely to be acceptable at PG, especially if the meaning behind the dangerous behavior(s) comes across as safe or fun. Realistic or easily accessible weapons such as knives will not be glamorized or focused upon in a PG film.

Will there be any drugs in a PG?

There may be innocent and painless references to illegal drugs or drug misuse in a PG film, although there should not be a strong focus on this subject matter. In addition drug references may permissible if there is a clear anti-drug(s) or educational message which promotes the idea that usage of drugs is bad and message is likely to understood by children eight and over.

What does the 12A symbol mean?

This symobol means that anyone agd 12 and over can go and see a film unaccompanied (without and adult). The A stands for 'accompanied' and 'advisory'. Children younger then age 12 may see the film if they are accompanied by an adult (someone 18 and over), that must watch the film with them.

What is the difference etween 12 and 12A?

The 12 certificate is just for videos, DVDs and Blu-rays and 12A is for films at the cinema only.

Is there a lower age limit fora 12A film?

There is no lower age limit for a 12A film, however the BBFC considers the content of a 12A rated films to be suitable for children age 12 and over, the BBFC would not recommend taking a child of a very young age to see a 12A rated film as films classified at these categoriesmay upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for their child under 12.

How important is the tone of a film at 12 or 12A?

The overall tone of a film or DVD, and the way it makes the audience feel may affect the classification. Eg. a film which has a very dark or unsettling tone, could disturb the audience and would be less likely to be passed 12A even if the individual issues in the film were considered acceptable under the BBFC guidelines. Similarly, if a film is particularly positive or reassuring this may stop it being pushed up a category from 12A to 15.

Will there be strong language in a 12 or 12A work?

The BBFC's Guidelines state that there may be strong language (eg 'f***') at 12 or 12A rated film, but it must be uncommon as the context of the strong language is important. Aggressive uses of strong language may result in a film or DVD being placed at the 15 category although there is some allowance for puns on strong language at this category.

In a 12 or 12A rated there may be moderate language used such as 'bitch' and 'twat', any discrininatory language will not be discouraged by the film ae whole. Agressive discriminatory language (homophobic or racist terms) is unlikely to be passed at a 12 or 12A rated film unless it is clearly condemned.

Do 12A films contain sex?

In a 12 or 12A film sex may briefly and discreetly portrayed. Verbal sex referencs should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Comedy may lessen the impact of some moderate sex references but frequent crude sex references are unlikely to be acepted at this category. There may be nudity in 12A films but sexual nudity should only be brief and discreet.

Hetrosexual and homosexual sex and sex references should be trated in the same way at a 12 or 12A rated film.

What sort of violence can I expect in 12 or 12A?

At a 12A film moderate violence is allowed allowed but it should dwellon detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occassional gory moments may be permitted if they can be justified by their context (Eg. brief sight of bloody injury in a medical drama).

Action sequences and weapons may be present at 12 or 12A, and there may be long fight scenes or similar weapons which might be easily accessible to 12 year olds , although this should not e glamourised in 12A or 12 films.

Sexual violence, such as scenes of rape or assault, may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated at 12A, such scenes must also have a strong contextual justification.

Can horror films be passed 12 or 12A?

Yes, some horror films are passed at this category.

Moderate physical and psychological threat is permitted at 12 or 12A as long as disturbing sequences are not too frequent or sustained.

What about other issues like imitable behaviour or drugs at 12 or 12A?

Dangerous behaviour (for example hanging, suicide and self-harming) may be present in 12 or 12A works but will notdwell on detail which could be copied or present those activities as pain or harm free.

Discriminatory behaviour should not be endorsed by the film as a whole.There may be infrequent sight of drugs misuse in a 12 or a 12A but the portrayal should not be glamorised or provide instructional details.

What does the 15 symbol mean?

No one under 15 is allowed to see a fil at the cinema or buy/rent a 15 rated film as the are simply o suitable for chldren under 15.

Are there any limits to what sort of thme a 15 can have?

There are no limits as long as the themes are passed as appropriate for 15 year olds.

Is 15 really stronger that 12A

15 rated films are stronger than a 12 or 12A film as they may include any of the following:

strong language
frequent strong language
portrayals of sexual activity
strong verbl references to sex
sexual nudity
brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal referance to sexual violence
discriminatory language or behaviour
drug talking

How much strong language is there in a 15?

In a 15 there could potentially qute alot of strong language. At 15 there is no upper limitnon number of uses of strong language although continued and aggressive use will not normally be passed at 15.

What about discriminatory or offensive terms?

There may be some sorts of discriminatory langage however on a whole a 15 rated film must not endorse discriminatory language or behviour.

How much and nudity is allowed in a 15?

At 15 sexual activity can be portrayd, as long as there is no stong graphcal detail, some sex scenes may be long and may involve some nudity and movement, all of this should be justified by content. The same rules apply to hemosexual activity.

Can there be strong violence?

There may be strong violence although it should not dwell on the infliction and pain or injury, stong gory images are unlikely to be aceptable.

Easily accessible weapons must not be glamourised and strong sexual violence. There may be verbal references to sexual violence but tha is as far as it goes.

What about horror?

Many horror film are rated 15 although strong gry imags are unlikel to be acceptable.

Can you see drugs in a 15 rated film or video?

In a 15 drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote drug misuse.

What about dangerous behaviour or things teens may copy?

In a 15 the risks of parntal harm to impressionable teenagers are considered. Dangerous behaviour such as hangng, suicid and self harming sould nt dwell on details that could be copied.

What does the 18 symbol mean?

Films rated 18 are for adults. No-one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 film at the cinema or buy/rent an 18 rated DVD. No 18 rated films are suitable for children.

Are there any limits on what sort of theme a work can have at 18?

No theme is prohibited at 18. Adults are free to pick their own entertainment within the law, so it is possible some themes tackled at 18 may be offensive even to some adult viewers.

What sort of issues might I find in an 18 film or DVD?

18 works are for adults and can contain strong issues such as:

very strong violence
frequent strong language and/or very strong language
strong portrayals of sexual activityscenes of sexual violence
strong horror
strong blood and gore
real sex (in some circumstances)
discriminatory language and behaviour.

How much strong language is there in an 18?

There is no limit on the number of uses of strong or even very strong language which can be passed at 18. Uses could be aggressive, directed, frequent or accompanied by strong violence.

What about discriminatory or offensive terms?

There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language at 18, and could explore themes relating to this.

Though a 18 as a whole must not be in breach of any relevant legislation, it is possible for discriminatory language or themes to be the main focus of the work, and for main characters to engage in discriminatory behaviour.

How much sex and nudity is allowed at 18?

There can be strong and detailed portrayals of sex at 18, including full nudity. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

Very strong, crude and explicit sex references are permitted at 18.

An 18 film or DVD might also contain depictions of real sex if it is justified by context, as long as the film or DVD is not a sex film.

What are sex works?

Sex films are films which primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation.

Sex films containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed 18.

Those containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the R18 category.

Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at R18 is also unacceptable in a sex work at 18.

What about sex education films?

Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted.

Can there be strong violence?

At at 18 violence can be strong and be portrayed with strong detail.

There may even be dwelling on the infliction of pain or injury, or scenes of strong sadistic or sexual violence.

The strongest gory images are permitted at this category.

What about horror works?

The strongest horror films are passed at 18, they may contain strong horror, gore or sustained threat and menace which exceeds the boundaries of 15.

Can you see drugs in an 18?

At 18 drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.

What about dangerous behaviour or things teens or other viewers might copy?

Though 18 films and DVDs may cover difficult and strong subjects and themes, harm is still a consideration. Very dangerous or criminal behaviour may be cut.

If adults can watch what they want, what might be cut from an 18 work?

"In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, the BBFC will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment.However, cuts are occasionally made to 18 rated films and DVDs. Intervention is most likely in the following areas:where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offencewhere material risks harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual violence which might, for example, make rape look appealingwhere there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in R18 works and, in ‘sex works’ (see below), would normally be confined to that category.In the case of video works, which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films".