Research: Censorship - Miss Begum

Film Censorship

Who are the BBFC and what is their role and Why is the role of the BBFC important to the film industry?

The BBFC stands for The British Board Film Classification and it's job is to protect the public from films that might upset, offend, shock or may psychologically damage the viewers by rating films appropriately according to the content in the film by age groups. Before films are allowed to be screened to the public, the BBFC watches and scrutinizes what age group might be most appropriate for the content viewed within the film, after that, they award the film with an age certificate and the access for it to be screened to the public. 

The BBFC are important to the film industry as it provides a guideline or platform for a film before its release, it protects the audience keeping the safe from scenes that may be inappropriate for a particular age group. Moreover, parents are informed about the viewing of the film allowing them to decide whether its appropriate for their child to watch.

What things get censored and why? Examples:

There are many things that are censored in the film industry in order to protect the audience from shock, psychological damage and much more. Things that get censored include:

1. Extreme Violence and Overwhelming Gore - If there is content that explicitly shows the audience extreme violence in an underage film as well as too much extreme violence that can potentially upset the viewer, this will be censored and cut out completely in order for the audiences safety and psychological state.
2. Nudity and Sexual Nature - Material that is shown to an underage audience like nudity and sexual nature may be censored in order to protect the viewer. Parents might be upset that their vulnerable child might exposed to this which is why it is censored.
3. Foul Language - Foul language used in an underage film can be censored to audiences who are still too young to hear it.
4. Immense amount of Drug and Alcohol use - If there is content displaying immense amount of drug and alcohol abuse during the film to a unsuitable audience, this any be censored due to copy cat and imitation behavior displayed in the younger audience.
5. Political Controversy - This might upset some audiences and create an uproar of unhappy viewers.
6. Religious Controversy - Any material that mimics religion will be simply censored as it may upset some of the religious viewers.
7. Graphic Representation of Realism -  This is inappropriate to the viewers as it displays graphic realism that may result in copy cat, imitation behavior for the younger audience as well as the older viewers.
8. Corrupting the young - This type of material might influence or exploit the young to negative behavior in which may cause them to copy this.
9. Sexual Violence - Sexual violence can be one example that could be censored as it may generate some upset responses from an underage audience.
10. Class - Class can be censored in a film of it is simply unnecessary to display that type of discrimination.
11. Race - As well as class, race can be censored for the same reasons.
12. Culture - If it is simply unnecessary to display this type of content, then it will be censored. 
13. True Events - True events might cause some controversy and may upset the audience, as a result, this will also be censored.
14. Controversy and the Press - This will be censored as it may cause some unnecessary controversy within the press.
15. Shock - Something that is used in an underage film that might cause the audience shock such as an unexpected death in a kids movie will be censored as it may upset the viewers. 

What is the difference between films being cut and banned? Examples:

Censored/ Cut: A film that is censored or cut means to take out some scenes that may be inappropriate for the intended audience, this doesn't mean the the whole film is inappropriate but just some scenes are. For example; an exaggerated nude scene may be cut out from a film that has an age certificate of 15. This is because it is unsuitable for that type of age group, as a result, making the viewers feel uneasy and uncomfortable watching.

Examples:

• The Human Centipede (2009) - 'The Human Centipede' has been censored and cut numerous times before it was screened to the public. There was explicit scenes of degraded and mutilated rape scenes that were too disturbing to show to the audience.

• A Serbian Film (2010) - 'A Serbian Film' has been censored and cut numerous times as well as 'The human Centipede' because of its over exaggerated and disturbing scenes of sexual violence. It was later given an age certificate of 18 yet still sends shivers down the spines of the audience.

• Pitch Perfect (2012) - Although 'Pitch Perfect' seems like a more positive and happier film to watch, this film as also been censored for its use of bad language and nudity due the underage audience it targets.

Banned: A film that is banned means that not like censorship where some parts of the film is inappropriate but the whole film is which as a result is banned for public viewing. For example if a film has extreme violence and gore, nudity and sexual violence throughout, the BBFC would have to ban it as it is inappropriate for all viewers as it could be influential, potentially leaving a negative impact on viewers.

Examples:

• Grotesque (2009) - Grotesque has been banned despite its many attempts in censoring some scenes, it was still not aloud to be screened to the public due to its extreme violence, political and moral messages it sends to the viewers. Footage including amputation scenes such as eye gouging. 

• Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974 - 2003): This film has been banned due to explicit violent scenes that are too disturbing to watch. 

Conclusion:

After researching on censorship, I have discovered that films should be censored there is inappropriate content shown to an underage audience. I now understand the difference between a film that is banned and censored. Furthermore, I am able to film my thriller with caution knowing that certain scenes might be inappropriate for the audience to watch. For example, if i use race, class or religion in my thriller, I will have to cautiously deal with the situation carefully taking in account that it is not exaggerated or it might upset some viewers.