Above: film classification signs.
12A
these films are for people of all ages, however children under the age of 12 can not view a 12A in the cinema without a responsible adult who is going to watch the material with them. this is because more sensitive children may not be able to handle the material covered in the movie due to their levels of similar exposure and sensitivity- this is why it is down to the parents disgression as some children may be able to cope with the material and topics covered during the film.
12
for a film to go from a 12A rating to a 12, it must be more forceful with its topics. eg, in a 12A small reference may be made to sexual activity however it must not be obvious for someone of a younger age to be able to digest and understand but a 12 can exploit a topic like this with a little less sensitivity but yet with the right amount of sensitivity as people watching it will be as young as 12. there may be little use of strong language- usually if the films uses explict lyrics over 100 times, it goes up to a 15 rating.
15
a film that falls under the 15 catergory is not suitable for anyone under the age of 15. things that are typically seen in a 15 that aren't in the rating below which is a 12 are as follows:-
• strong violence
• frequent strong language (eg 'f***').
• portrayals of sexual activity
• strong verbal references to sex
• sexual nudity
• brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence
• discriminatory language or behaviour
• drug taking
continual use and demonstration of a majorty of these things are unlikely to be passed as a 15 and are likely to be boosted up to an 18.
18
18 films are never suitable for children of any age and are for adults only. they often cover insensitive materials and can send out the wrong messages to younger viewers.
topics likely to be covered in an eighteen film are not only insensitive but are likely to be very detailed for example:
• very strong violence
• frequent strong language (eg 'f***') and/or very strong language (eg ‘c***’)
• strong portrayals of sexual activity
• scenes of sexual violence
• strong horror
• strong blood and gore
• discriminatory language and behaviour
the only subject that eighteen films are are not allowed to cover is anything pornographic. this is where the R18 rating comes in, R18 films are for home use and rental only and are not showin in cinemas or sold anywhere else but lisenced sex shops.
ref: http://www.sbbfc.co.uk
