P5 D

P5 D – Role of Relevant Regulatory Bodies

Every film that is produced needs to be given an age rating for it to be released to the general public and for it to be shown in cinema’s. The UK’s leading age rating company is the BBFC, which is responsible for the age ratings given to all films that are released in the UK. All film companies who plan to release a film in the UK are required by law to send their film to the BBFC for it to be assessed and given an age rating based on the content that the BBFC has seen within the film.

Walt Disney Pictures was no exception either as they too had to send a copy of Star Wars: The Force Awakens to the BBFC before it was released so that it could be given an appropriate age rating. Star Wars: The Force Awakens was given a 12A due to the fact that it did contain moderate violence, but nothing too realistic that it would shock audiences or cause minors any real distress. It also featured no strong language which helped keep it a 12A.

Age Ratings

U stands for Universal, this means that the film is suitable for people aged four and above. U rated films will have little to no violence whatsoever, no blood or gore and will feature absolutely no strong language making it suitable for all young children.

PG stands for Parental Guidence, this means that the film is still suitable for children aged four and above however, parents should be aware that there could be some content in these films that may distress or upset their young children so they should look into the film first before allowing their young children to watch it.

Both 12 and 12A films are not suitable for anybody under the age of 12. However, if parents do decide to take a child under the age of 12 to a 12 or 12A rated film, they should understand that their could be some content featured that may upset their child. 12 and 12A rated films usually contain moderate violence some strong language.

No one under the age of 15 is suitable to see a 15 rated film, these films will contain some level of violence, strong language and are prohibited to show on-screen drug use as well as low levels of nudity and sexual conduct which is in no way suitable for the viewing of any young children.

No one under the age of 18 is suitable to see an 18 rated film, these films will often contain strong gory violence, strong language and are prohibited to show on-screen drug use, scenes containing graphic nudity and scenes realistically depicting sexual acts. This again is in no way suitable for the viewing of any young children.

 

Star Wars: The Force Awakens age rating

The BBFC has decided to give Star Wars: The Force Awakens an age rating of 12, this is because there is minor violence in which people are seen being both shot and impaled, blood is also often contained in these scenes which does help justify the age rating of this film. Furthermore, there is also minor language included in this instalment of the Star Wars saga. Words such as ‘damn’ are frequently said which could be considered as an offensive word to some people.

The ‘village scene’ in Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a perfect example of why Star Wars: The Force Awakens has been given a 12. It demonstrates violence with many people being shot in the scene by blasters, as well as a shot that shows blood smeared over a stormtroopers helmet. The scene also contains some minor language which some viewers could find offensive.