Certification

Age Ratings in the UK: U, PG, 12A, 15, 18, M

American Age Ratings: G for general audience, PG -13, R for restricted, M for mature

What determines Certification? 

• Violence
• Gore
• Drug use
• Sexual content
• Racial content and discrimination

Regulation/Certification

Film regulation is the process of certifying or classifying films to determine the appropriate age of audience members. Each country has a different system and dedicated certification board who determines the ratings of every film that is released to audiences at cinemas and through home exhibition channels.

In the UK, we have the non-governmental organisation, BBFC (British Board of Film Certification).

In the US, the MPAA established the Code and Rating Administration.

Film ratings were introduced in 1968 in the US and have gone through multiple changes.

How have social changes through history affected how films are regulated?

Historical context:

• The production code of regulation embodies our anxieties and intolerance from a different historical period.
• In the 1920s and 30s, things were banned that would seem ridiculous or even offensive in today's society.
• For example, mixed race relationships - reflects more a more racist society.
• Ban on ridiculing the clergy
• reflects a more religious society
• 'excessive or lustful kissing' deemed inappropriate - limits realism.
• On the contrary, smoking indoors and around children was commonplace in older movies but would be considered shocking today.
• The BBFC continually surveys the public to gauge what they object to and consider to be inappropriate for a child's eyes.

Economic contexts:

• The rise of film markets in China is vital
• Companies like Disney want to tap into this market but must get through stringent state censors in a communist  political context.

When the Jungle Book 1967 was released, it would have undergone 'self-regulation' under a code which banned the representation of sex perversion, profanity or nudity. This code was largely irrelevant to many films or ignored.

When the film was re-released in 1968, it was granted a G-rating for 'general audiences' (U in the UK).

The 2016 film was rated PG (unsuitable for children under 8)

U - Universal - suitable for all

U films should be suitable for audiences over  four years and over. If there is any violence, threat or horror in a U film, it should be over quickly and the film should tell children that everything will turn out okay. Movies and DVDs for kids should make clear to them the difference between right and wrong.

Language - At the most there may be occasional very mild bad language.

Nudity -  There can be occasional glimpses of people who have no clothes on, as long as they are not linked to sexual activities.

Sex and Relationships - Only mild references and mild behaviour, such as kissing, are allowed.

Violence and Threat - Mild violence only. Some mild threat and violence allowed.

Weapons - There should be no focus on weapons that are realistic or easy to get hold of.

Drugs - Should not be allowed, unless to teach that they are bad.

Parental Guidance

General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. A PG film not unsettle a child aged eight or over. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch, but parents are advised to consider whether the consent may upset younger, or more sensitive, children.

Dangerous Behaviour -  No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which children are likely to copy, if that behaviour is presented as safe or fun. No glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons such as knives. No focus on anti-social behaviour which young children are likely to copy.

Drugs - References to illegal drugs or misuse must be innocuous or carry a suitable anti-drug message.Language - Mild bad language only.

Nudity - There may be nudity with no sexual context.

Threat and Horror - Frightening sequences or situations where characters are in danger should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings and comedy may be mitigating factors.

12/12A

Films classified 12A or 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12. Discrimination - Must be endorsed by the work as whole. Aggressive discriminatory language pr behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.

Language - There may be moderate bad language. Strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used.

Sex - Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Moderate sex references are permitted, but frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable.

Threat and Horror - There may be moderate physical and psychological threat and horror sequences. Although some scenes may be disturbing, the overall tone should not be. Horror sequences should not be frequent or sustained.

Nudity - There may be nudity, but in a sexual context it must be brief and discreet.

15

No one younger than 15 may see a 15 film in a cinema, or buy a 15 rated video work.

Dangerous Behaviour - Dangerous behaviour (for example, suicide, self-harming and asphyxiation) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Whether the depiction of easily accessible weapons is acceptable will depend on factors such as realism, context and setting.

Discrimination - The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour, although there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and language.

Language - There may be strong language. Very strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency, within the work, and any special contextual justification.

Nudity - There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. Sexual nudity may be permitted but strong detail is likely to be brief or presented in comic context.

Threat and Horror - There may be strong threat and horror. A sustained focus on sadistic threat is unlikely to be acceptable.

Violence - May be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain pain or injury.

Sexual Violence/Threat - There may be strong verbal references to sexual violence but any depiction of the stronger forms of sexual violence, must not be prolonged.

18

Suitable only for adults.

Adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:

• where the material is in breach of criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offense.
• where material or treatment appears to us to risk harm to individuals or society.
• where there are more explicit images of sexual activity in the context of a sex work.

Is the rating of Jungle Book 2016 as PG a good thing or a bad thing for Disney? Explain and justify your reasoning.

The original JB was targeted towards every demographic, as it contains songs and good humour. Whereas, in the remake, everything is much more realistic and a bit darker, especially with the characters Kaa the snake, and Shere Khan, the main antagonist. I believe that it is important for parents to know that the live-action remake has 'scary' scenes involving menacing animals; the fact that is photo-realistic, means that it is more alive and intense for the younger demographic to witness.
There are several jump scenes, animal fights, and an upsetting death. These scenes involve fangs, fur, claws, snarls, etc, which most likely disconcert young viewers, therefore, definitely appropriate a a PG.
On the other hand, it does not fit the 12A age rating, as there are no sex references; no dwelling scenes of blood or injuries; no use of strong, explicit language, and there is no drug use/mention.
Overall, the film is visually stunning, with distinct messages of friendship and courage, with humour encorporated, just like the classic; however, there are intense, darker undertones that would not be considered appealing for young children.