Classifying Our Film

I have been researching film classification this week by looking at the British Board of Film Classification website and reading their definitions and criteria for various classifications.

From the subject matter of our film, it will probably fit into anything from 12A to 18. From looking at the BBFC's criteria for a 12A/12 classification, I don't think that our film will be suitable for this classification. This is because I believe that, if we were to make the entire film, there would be a lot of strong language used. Furthermore, the BBFC says that to qualify for a 12A/12 classification, violence must not "dwell on detail" and there should be "no emphasis on injuries or blood". I think this would be too restrictive and we would not be able to shock and thrill audiences well enough if these restrictions were in place.

Equally, I don't think an 18 rating would be necessary. With, an 18 rating, one is able to put almost anything in their film, with the only exceptions being incredibly explicit sexual content and potentially socially harmful images such as sexualised violence which glamourises and eroticises violence. I think that the 15 classification would be more of a happy medium between 12A/12 and 18.

The 15 classification is not only the most suitable for our film, but also the most accessible. The primary cinema audience is 15-25 year olds so the 15 classification allows this entire age group to see the film. At the same time, it differs from a 12 rating or lower as it does not patronise the viewer and still makes them think that the film will have some grittiness and realism to it. I think with a 15 classification, we could show everything we want to show in the film while still getting the right audience.

To illustrate this, I will look at each category of controversy that the BBFC states qualifies a film as a 15.

Discrimination
"The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour."
We do not intend to put any discriminatory language in our production. However, if we do decide to put any in, it will definitely not be endorsed and will be presented as negative.

Drugs
"Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable."
I envisage that there could be some drug-taking later on in our film but it will not be stylised and will probably be used for the purpose of characterisation.

Horror
"Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised."
As the film deals with assassination and murder, there will be quite a strong degree of threat throughout the film, but it will definitely not be presented as sadistic or sexualised.

Imitable Behaviour
"Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised."
There will be very little imitable behaviour in our film, as most of the violence will be carried out by members of professional crime syndicates who will have means of killing that are not easily accessible or easily copied.

Language
"There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable."
As our film will include a variety of unsavoury, "gritty" individuals, there will be frequent use of strong language but it should all be somewhat justified by the context. It will not be too aggressive, nor excessively strong.

Nudity
"Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context."
Sex
"Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable."
There may be a sex scene later on in our film and references to sex. There will probably be some nudity in the sex scene but it will not be excessively prolonged, nor excessively detailed. The sex itself will also not be excessively detailed or prolonged.

Theme
"No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds."
The mature themes of violence and probably sex will be present in our film, but we will present thing in a way that I am sure 15 year olds will be able to cope with.

Violence
"Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification."
There will be quite a lot of violence in the film, but it will be from medium-strong intensity. It will not be sexualised nor will it be excessively gory.

It is worth thinking about the possibility of our film fitting into any niche audiences. The themes of our film are fairly mainstream and so the film will probably just fit into the mainstream audience that generally go to see thrillers. However, as it is filmed around London, this may entice Londoners in particular to go and see it as they may find it more absorbing to watch a thriller based around their hometown.