The 'U' symbol stands for 'Universal'. A 'U' film is suitable for audiences age four years and over. However, it is impossible to predict what may upset a child especially at this lower end of the category range.
Universal have said they rate films and videos aimed at very young viewers, such as 'Chuggington' or 'Tinga Tinga Tales'. Films and videos with this BBFFC insight raise no significant issues in terms of discrimination, drugs, imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, threat or violence.
In some films, characters may be seen kissing or cuddling and there may be references to sexual
behaviour. However, there would be no overt focus on sexual behaviour, language or innuendo. Violence is generally very mild. A 'U' film may include a brief film scene or moments where characters are placed in danger. However, moments of emotional stress or threat will be quickly resolved and the outcome will be reassuring. There may also be brief scary scenes and moments where the characters are placed in danger. As with violence, these scenes will be balanced by reassuring elements, such as comic interludes or music. The antagonist may carry or use weapons - but there would be no emphasis on these. A child or protagonist characters are unlikely to use any kind of weapon outside.
'PG' stands for Parental Guidance. This means a film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. A PG film shouldn't unsettle a child age around eight or older. Parents should also consider whether the content may upset younger, or more sensitive, children. Some films are given a PG certificate but have not been made with a young audience in mind. A recent example of a film mostly enjoyed by grown ups but passed PG would be 'Saving Mr. Banks'. However, the certificate means that any issues in the work are appropriate for the majority of the age
group and nothing should upset a child over the age of eight.
A PG film would not contain any theme which is inappropriate for a child. PG works explore challenging issues such as bullying, bereavement or racism. There may be mild language such as 'shit' or 'son of a bitch' in a PG film, but the context and delivery are always important. For example, if the language is used aggressively or if there is a great deal of bad language, a work may be passed at a higher category.
There are unlikely to be any sex references unless they are undetailed and infrequent. If a child is unlikely to understand a reference, it may be allowed as a PG. Comedy can also be used to lessen the impact of sex references and innuendos.
Films classified as 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children under the age of 12. No-one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. The difference between a 12 and a 12A is that a 12A requires an adult to accompany any child which is under 12 years old. This is enforced by cinema staff as a cinema may loose it's license if an adult accompaniment is not enforced. The BBFC guidelines state that strong language (e.g. f***) may be passed at 12 or 12A, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, it's frequency and any special contextual justification. In 12A films, sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed at 12A or 12. Verbal sex references shouldn't go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Comedy can again, lessen the impact of some moderate sex references or innuendo but frequent crude sex references are unlikely to be acceptable in this category of film. Some horror films can be passed as a 12 or 12A.Physical and Psychological threat is permitted in this category as long as horror sequences are not too frequent or sustained and the overall tone is not disturbing.
For a film rated 15, anyone who is under the age of 15 cannot be allowed to see a 15 film at the cinema or buy a 15 rated video. No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds. In a 15 rated film, you might see strong violence, frequent strong language, portrayals of sexual activity, strong verbal references to sex, sexual nudity, brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence, discriminatory language or behaviour and drug taking.
In any film passed for this category, there could potentially be a great deal of strong language. Occasionally there may be uses of the strongest terms (e.g.. c***), depending on the manner in which it is used. There may also be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language, and the work could explore themes relating to this. However, at 15 the work must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour. At 15, there can be strong threat and horror as long as there is no sustained focus on sadistic or sexualised threat. In these films, drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances like aerosols or solvents is unlikely to be acceptable at 15. There can also be detailed verbal references to sexual violence, for example, descriptions of rape or sexual assault in a courtroom scene or in victim testimony, but any portrayal depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and justified by context.
Films rated 18 are for adults. No-one under the age of 18 is allowed to see an 18 film at the cinema or buy/rent one either. No 18 rated works are suitable for children at all. No theme is prohibited at all at 18. Adults are free to choose their own entertainment provided the material is not illegal or potentially harmful. In an 18 film you will see very strong violence, frequent strong languag
e (e.g. f***) or very strong language (e.g. c***), strong portrayals of sexual activity, scenes of sexual violence, strong horror, strong blood and gore, real sex (in some circumstances) and discriminatory language and behaviour. At 18, there can be strong and detailed portrayals of sex, including full nudity. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. Very strong, crude and explicit sex references are permitted to this category. Horror films can also contain very strong horror, gore or sustained threat. You can also see drug taking but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.
For our chosen film, it would be a 12A as it would be suitable for children to go and watch without the presence of an adult. It would also be suitable because our chosen film is not going to be extremely scary and scarring to children. We have decided to make our film 12A because we do not have frequent horror sequences and the tone is not overly disturbing. I think it does not fall into a PG rating because we think it is inappropriate for a child to watch as it explores challenging issues such as murder, but does not fit into the 15 rating because we do not use strong theme of threat or horror and only keep it discreet when it is involved.
.jpg)
