Research: Film Censorship

Film censorship

Who are the BBFC and what is their role?

The BBFC (British Board Film Classification) are an expert and experienced movie regulator. They have many roles, but the main is to advise and protect public information for everyone to make appropriate viewing decisions, whether its parents deciding to allow their children to watch certain films or whether its vulnerable viewers. The BBFC's role is important because they have the last word in confirmation to release a film so a film can only be released if the BBFC allow it. Their role is also important because when allowing to release a film they have to decide who should be able to watch a film so they certify what ages are aloud to watch this film.

What things get censored and why?

-Film censorship is when a film is revised due to the content it shows. a film may either be banned or asked for some scenes to be cut several times before the BBFC are happy with it.

Cannibal Holocaust was filmed as a documentary mainly in the Amazon rain forest and real indigenous tribes were interacting with the American and Italian actors and crew. The film was so graphic that the director was accused of showing real gruesome violence and death. This resulted in postponing the release in many countries as it did not pass many countries film regulators and when released, many scenes were cut or censored.

 

 

 

The Exorcist 1973 production is a supernatural horror film that had been banned for almost 17 years due to the terrifying scenes showing supernatural demonic possession in which this was very controversial so it had been banned in many different counties. This film hadn't been passed through the BBFC till 1990.

 

                                    

 

So films mainly get censored due to the content in a film. This may be for many reasons that display; frequent bad language, criminal offence, illegal drugs, religious acts(supernatural, evangelic etc.), nudity, sexual or sexualised violence, race, true events, corrupt of the young etc..

 

What is the difference between films being cut and banned? 

 

-A film that is cut is when it has been edited or has had scenes take out of it to make it appropriate for viewing.

-A film that is banned is when a film is taken away from cinema viewing completely due to indecent, harmful or offensive material.

 

Forna and Kermode debate:

Aminatta Forna was a journalist/broadcaster that debated for censorship whereas Mark Kermode was a critic/broadcaster who debated against censorship.

 

Arguments for censorship from Forna were..

• Responses to very violent and explicit films resulted in to people being influenced to do in real life. For example; suicide, rape, murder etc.
• Some people might gain pleasure from watching certain things and might try to actually remake that pleasure in reality.
• People were tempted to copy the actions in films in which this resulted in thought of reality vs. fiction.

Arguments against censorship from Kermode were..

• He wanted people to see what they want to see and be able to have the option to view an explicit film if they wanted to.
• Freedom of speech - freedom for people to say things others don't want to hear.
• Kermode thought that the BBFC put themselves on top, above others to make an overall moral judgement on who can watch certain things and who cant.

In my opinion I am more on Kermode's side as I believe that everyone should be aloud to watch whatever they want and should be free to have that option if they want to but on the other hand I am also on Forna's side as I believe that some image may be too much for the youth and even adults to handle so censoring some image may protect and prevent (for example) trauma to people.

 

In conclusion, I have gained a deeper understanding on Film Censorship and now know what to consider with what content can and cant be shown in  our own thrillers. So I will be able to show appropriate content for the correct viewing.