Research - Miss Begum: Censorship

Film Censorship

BBFC or the British Board Film classification role is to judge different types of films and to ban or censor films that weren't appropriate for the general public. another function of the BBFC is to give out age certificates to advise parents on what films are suitable to different age groups.

What are their purpose

For a film to be released in the UK all films must be certified by the BBFC. you can not release a film without certification or BBFC rejects the film. The point of doing this is to drive up standards within the film industry and to stop young children watching films that are not suitable or appropriate to watch. Different countries may have their own rules on what is can be shown to the general public and what couldn't be shown. Some countries maybe more stricter on what films can be allowed to shown like Russia and some countries like the us may have more relaxed laws on what can be shown.

What films get censored and why?

There are many films that were banned from public viewing and publishing in the UK (and in other countries) and across of the world. This because of the attitudes, feelings and behaviour of the general public or that its that is to brutal or sexual for public viewing. the most likely topics of an film to be banned would be the use of sex in that film, unnecessary or overuse of violence. Some films in the past have been banned because they used a lot of blood in scenes or gore in scenes. Most of the time they get banned is to protect the public from watching these types of films as well as younger audiences watching these types of content.

Scum

Scum was a film about young offender rising through the ranks at young offenders intuition. Today this film is still the one of the most controversial films in the UK history. since the use of violence was mostly part of the narrative as well as rape, racism and very strong language. Another reason was that borstal system in the UK didn't have no rehabilitation and the film showed the flaws of the system. The film portrayed all of this however because of this the film was not allowed to be re-broadcasted because of a high court case. The film was allowed to re shown after it was appealed.

The Evil dead

This film is highly rated however there were several scenes within the film that caused some countries to ban it completely. The film is a basically a slasher film however the use of graphic violence and terror within the film and also disturbing scenes within the film including tree raping a girl and several torture films caused the film to be banned in several countries. However this film was allowed to shown in the UK after some scenes were cut.

The Exorcist 

The movie wasn't allowed to be shown for 17 years in the UK after it got banned in the UK. The main reason why it was banned because it was really scary and also for political and religious reasons as well. This was also banned in different towns and there were cases of people being taken to hospital because how shockingly scary.

Hate Crime

This film was recently banned because the film focused alot on terroism, mutilation, physical violence. There was little or now context for the violence that was use apart from small text. Because the content ran throughout the film they decided that cuts weren't going to help and they decided to ban it instead.

What is the difference between films being cut and banned?

Most of the time when a film get banned is when the film is to shockingly scary, too disturbing and controversial. There are some circumstances where the film maybe banned for other reasons which may seen controversial or political correct at the time. There is a difference between films being cut and banned. If films had to cut some of their content this is because the BBFC won’t allow the public to watch the rules since it breaks some of it rules and they can’t have as this age and therefore they need to cut some of the content that may not be following those rules. A film being banned means that the films already at an
18+ however since it has content that may portray something that maybe seen as wrong, illegal and morally wrong and that the content may contain that broke a lot of BBFC rules therefore that film is subject to a ban.

The debate of censorship

There is still an debate on censorship still go on for the for argument and the against argument. i also have an strong opinion regarding censorship.

Forna (For)

Most people for censorship agree that censorship is needed to make sure that films that are not suitable for young kids and also to stop people watching films or media that may influence their behaviour in general public or films that are shocking to show because their use of violence blood, gore or sexual activity's that was shown in the films. However for the most part the reason why there is censorship is that its to protect younger audiences from listing to vile language or to scenes that may not be appropriate for them

Kermode against

There also support against censorship. People making this argument saying that all most of films should be seen to all people regardless of age and should be up to the viewer or parents on what they or there kids should watch. Another reason they make is that censoring films should be made by the audience and not by "people in an office"

My opinion 

Like with most of other people I am in favour with a censorship up to a point censorship allows people to make sure that films are suitable for some audiences and children will not find it offensive, scary or tasteless. However the cons to this is that some films maybe unfairly judged and maybe certified wrongly also some parents may have different views on how and what their children. Most children may find 15 films appropriate to them even though they maybe 12 and they don’t get offended however some parents may find that the film is not acceptable to some there kids and their voices are heard more than other parents views moreover, I don’t certifications should be enforced as such as since that parents should have a say what is deemed appreciable and what isn't also you will find censorship in all other types of media.

Conclusion

I have learnt what dose role dose the bbfc has with the film industry and what they do. BBFC is a slightly controversial topic since what they do may agreeable with some members of public and unreasonable with others. Also I know how films are certified and what is the grade boundaries for all the ages. Its really hard to agree with the BBFC is doing a good job since it has to take account in a lot of people with different background and cultures.