cancorshiop vs classification

1. From where does the BBFC get its funding?
Charging film distributors

2. What types of texts do the BBFC classify?
films video games & dvd's

3. What are the problems / issues that the BBFC must deal with when classifying material?
Look at the types of things they classify, ability to account for all types of content, changing context etc.
Violence, Language, Sex, Sexual Violence, Drugs, Horror, Imitable Technique, Racial Issues

4. Note the range of classification categories and what they mean e.g. U, PG, 12A etc.
Universal Children- Suitable for all (children 7 and under)
Universal- All ages .
PG- Parental guidence
12A- suitable for 12 years and over
15- only ages 15 and over, as there may be use of strong language
18- no one under the age of 18 permitted to watch the film.

5. Look at how different themes /content within texts are classified. Make notes. Why might a DVD featuring content of skateboarders and BMX bikers performing dangerous stunts be classified as 18 but a film containing a sex scene and use of the ‘f’ word only get a 15 rating?

6. Why might a film be given a rating of 15 upon release at the cinema but 10 years later be classified as a 12?
because as time goes on, things such as kissing become more aceptable in society therefore they may change the ratings.

7. Who is responsible for classifying films in the USA? How has this changed over time? (Look back to the studio system of the 1940’s).

8. Research the following case studies exploring why they were brought to the attention of the BBFC:
a. Canis Canem Edit (2006, Rockstar)
b. Crash (1996, David Cronenberg)
David Cronenberg's film of J G Ballard's controversial 1973 novel had already aroused comment in the press before it was submitted to the BBFC. Its screening at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival had provoked the Evening Standard's film critic, the late Alexander Walker, to describe the film as 'beyond the bounds of depravity'. On the day of its UK premiere at the London Film Festival (where it was shown without a BBFC certificate but with the special permission of Westminster Council) the front page of the Daily Mail demanded 'Ban This Car Crash Sex Film'. This was to mark the beginning of an intensive and orchestrated campaign against the film by the Daily Mail and Evening Standard.

c. A Clockwork Orange (1971, Stanley Kubrick)
d. Fight Club (1999, David Fincher)
e. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001, Simon West)
f. Sweet Sixteen (2002, Ken Loach)
g. The Last Temptation of Christ (1988, Martin Scorcese)
h. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974, Tobe Hooper)