Have Hollywood attitudes towards content in 12A films become more liberal or have audiences’ film desires changed?

Over the years content in film has changed considerably in order to cater both audiences and changes in technology, as "It will be inevitable that public attitudes and values will change over time."[1] These changes have caused the British Board of Film Certification to introduce the 12A rating in 2001. So as film content has changed to meet the demands of the rating, have Hollywood attitudes towards the film content become more liberal or have audience film desires changed?

The British Board of Film Certification (BBFC) role in film is to regulate and award age certifications to film in the UK. According to their website their main mission is to 'protect the public, and especially children, from content which might raise harm risks'. [2]From this statement, it raises the issue as to why the 12A certificate was introduced. The 12A was announced to allow any audience member under the age of 12 to watch a film as long as they are accompanied by an adult. This has caused controversy as the BBFC reveals that, "films under this certificate are considered to be unsuitable for very young people".[3] They describe the 12A to contain: mature themes, discrimination, soft drugs, commonly used milder swear words and moderate violence/sex references.[4] Ultimately, this raises the question, is the 12A right to allow very young children to watch these films?

By comparing the 12A to a 15 it shows that there is not much of a difference between the two ratings. Both ratings are described as containing 'moderate violence/sex references.' [5]This is a major issue as it wouldn't be morally right to allow a 6 year-old child to watch a film with this kind of content. It is unusual to believe that if the BBFC’s role is to ‘protect’ children from content which may harm them,[6] that they would then allow such material to be visible to them in certain films. However, their responds to such critiques is that they believe the responsibility lies with the guardian of the child audience members in this age certificate. On their website they were quoted as saying, “An adult may take a young child if, in their judgement, the film is suitable for that particular child. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under 12 to view lies with the accompanying adult.”[7] This responds has caused a spark as the number of complaints has drastically increased since the introduction of the 12A.

From his academic research, Stephen Hill states, “The audience response to a film is perhaps the key issue in the debate for and against censorship.”[8] An issue which has been linked with this certificate is the effects theory which may have been associated with recent violent actions in society. In recent years, incidents such as the Colorado shooting (2012), where police officer said the shooter called himself ‘The Joker’. [9]Also, the very recent Sandy Hook shooting (2012) has been debated that there is a connection between violence in media and violence in real life. It has been argued that viewers who consume media with violence are more likely to be influenced to become more violent. Someone who does agree with this statement is Hollywood actor Jamie Foxx, who is recently helped release the very violent film Django Unchained. He said when asked about the influence, “We cannot turn our back and say that violence in films or anything that we do doesn't have a sort of influence. It does." [10]These claims by people in the media industry should be taken into consideration by the BBFC to reconsider their rating system as it is evident that there is an influence. This also supports the Hypodermic Needle Theory which suggests that mass media has a direct, immediate and powerful effect on its audience.[11]

One of the most controversial incidents in the BBFC’s recent history was the certification of the Batman Dark Knight film. The Batman films are considered one of the most successful franchises in Hollywood, earning $2,669,234,002 since Tim Burton’s first 1989 film.[12] The film was awarded a 12A and immediately generated a huge amount of complaints from parents and various people in society. The Batman sequel is now the most complained about film in Britain, with 364 complaints[13]. Factors which caused these complaints were unexpected violent themes in a film which started off mainly targeting young children. One of the main culprits of these complaints was the performance of the Joker. The whole persona of the Joker is one which is difficult to argue that it is suitable for someone under the age of 12. The Dark Knight film represents the Joker as a psychopathic killer who uses his knife to kill people. The Jokers make-up and costume is very satanic and disturbing to look at. The red line across his mouth connotes blood and gore. Also his scar across his cheek is very unpleasant for viewers to look at especially younger children. Review website, commonsensemedia.org, also similarly described the picture as a film with sections of “ultra-violent scenes of torture and death that are too intense for younger kids used to the nearly comic, stylized action violence of other superhero films. A disturbingly high body count is achieved via massive explosions, kidnappings, neck breakings, shootings, and hand-to-hand combat."[14]

These aspects have contributed in a fury of complaints by politicians and journalist highlighting why this film isn’t appropriate for younger viewers. Politician, Iain Duncan Smith was quoted saying he was ‘astonished’ that the film allowed younger viewers to watch the film. He also said, “Unlike past Batman films, where the villains were somewhat surreal and comical figures, Heath Ledger's Joker is a brilliantly acted but very credible psychopathic killer, who extols the use of knives to kill and disfigure his victims during a reign of urban terrorism laced with torture”. [15]Whilst Labour MP, Keith Vaz said, “The BBFC should realise there are scenes of gratuitous violence in The Dark Knight which I would certainly not take my 11-year-old daughter. It should be a 15 classification”[16]. Whereas, Telegraph writer Jenny McCartney, described the film to have ‘powerful adult themes’[17]. All these complaints reiterate that it isn’t just a small minority who are against the ratings made by the BBFC.

Looking at films before the times of the 12A era, it is evident that film has changed drastically over the years. Staying with the Batman sequels, Batman Returns (1992) was the huge comic book film at the time. However, this film was only available for 15+ audience members to view. From the Batman Returns film it is obvious that it was given a 15. The film contained scenes which had The Catwoman in a tight leather costume possibly used for the male audiences pleasures. Also, there are scenes of violence (i.e. female shot in the head with wound visible to the viewer) which would certainly be acceptable for a 15 rated film. However, would this film be granted a 12A today? I believe so. Comparing the 21^stcentury Batman to the 20^th there is not a huge scale of difference between the violence and voyeur aspects of the films. It could even be argued that the latter Batman films are more appropriate for a 12A rather than the pre 2000’s films. Allyson Pearson from the Telegraph even describes a particular scene from the Dark Knight Film containing a sequence where, “a pencil being driven into someone’s eyeball by a demonic Joker." [18]Acts like these surely wouldn’t be in a 12 rated film in the 20^th century film.

So why has film content changed so drastically over the years? The big gainers from the changes made to rating system are the film institutions. Observing from the institutions point of view it is quite clear they are benefiting greatly from the introduction of the 12A. This is because considering the highest earning Box Office films since the new certifications have been 12A films. These include, Dark Knight/Dark Knight Rises, Casino Royale and The Hunger Games[19]. These are films which have turned into franchises and breaking all Box Office records. The 12A allows the institutions to include profitable and popular themes like violence and voyeurism which are both very attractive to younger and older audiences. This is why there is now an increase in the film of this particular age rating. Journalist Simon Dillon argues that that the main offender isn’t the BBFC but rather the institutions. In his article Censorship or Greed he says, “in spite of the flaws of the 12A certificate, the main problem isn’t with the BBFC but with the studios, who are allowing this watering down to cash in on the tween market." [20] He claims that studios are affecting the quality of film in Hollywood as “whilst Hollywood continues to greedily try and maximise profits in this way, stories aimed at grown-ups will continue to suffer."[21] An example of this is the production of the Hunger Games film. The book tells a story consisting of extreme gore and blood throughout which was a huge part of the narrative. Nevertheless, in order for the film to be a 12A to gain the benefits which was mentioned above, the institution decided to make it a very less gory and violent film. This is the major concern Simon Dillon has with this rating as he believes, “to censor it demonstrates a remarkable lack of artistic integrity”. [22]

Film critic, Pauline Kael states, “The history of American cinema could be summed up in two words: ‘kiss’ and ‘kill’.”[23] Those two words are the two pleasures of audiences which have evolved considerably over the years. As technology has improved, so has the action and overall quality of film thus increasing the expectations of film audiences. Audience members now expect more realistic violence and gruesome scenes in what they view as they know technology makes this possible. This expectation has possibly had an impact on film institutions and organisations such as the BBFC because they know if they don’t supply the demands of the audience results in lower rating and ultimately fewer finances. Consequently, the BBFC may feel forced to become more lenient with certificating films because of the pressure being mounted on the by film studios.

Another feature of the film audience pleasure which has altered is the sexual content included in films. It is now acceptable in society to view more explicit content as supposed to 30 years ago. This has resulted in the certificates to allow more of this content. For instance, a 12A accepts moderate sex references. This is a complete transformation when comparing it to the 20^th century. Author, Aubrey Malone claims 20th century was time, “when sex and violence were taboo on screen, and those who engaged in anything to do with either suffered dearly". [24]This completely contrast the way those aspect are portrayed today, subsequently, demonstrating how audience pleasure have transformed over time.

So have Hollywood attitudes towards content in 12A films become more liberal or have audiences’ film desires changed? In my opinion, I believe there is a mixture of both. This is because Hollywood producers are always open to new policies and willing to discard traditional one as long as they profit. Their main goal is always to attract greater audiences, so their attitude towards the content in 12A films is indifferent to moral factors such as content to children, as their sole focus is to benefit financially. On the other hand, from the perspective of society there would be concern to the content 12A films. This is due it is quite evident that content in 12A films are certainly not appropriate for young viewers. Especially the very young ones at the ages of 5-6 who are accompanied by irresponsible adults. A blog which discusses the validation of the 12A argues that, “the 12A rating has become a contradiction of requirements and increasingly insensitive to the material it inflicts on such a broad audience[25]” this is the view I have on the rating as I believe that to go back to the original 12 would make it both more understanding for guardians taken children the cinema and also fulfils the BBFC’s goal of protecting viewers from perceived harmful effects from what we see. Even though I do accept that audience desires has changed considerably to meet their desires to meet their gratifications, I believe the most appropriate thing is to take younger peoples experience of content into consideration to prevent any detrimental implications in the future by reassessing the criteria of the 12A rating.

Word Count: 2,236

[1] BBFC (British Board of Certification)

[2] BBFC (British Board of Certification)

[3] BBFC (British Board of Certification)

[4] BBFC (British Board of Certification)

[5] BBFC (British Board of Certification)

[6] BBFC (British Board of Certification)

[7] BBFC (British Board of Certification)

[8] Stephen Hill, (http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/MM24_shock_cinema.html)

[9] Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/07/20/nyc-police-commissioner-said-alleged-shooter-called-himself-joker-could-have/)

[10] CBS News (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-207_162-57559564/jamie-foxx-quentin-tarantino-speak-about-movie-violence-in-wake-of-newtown-conn-shootings/)

[11] University of Twente (http://www.utwente.nl/cw/theorieenoverzicht/Levels%20of%20theories/macro/Hypodermic%20Needle%20Theory.doc/)

[12] Investopedia (http://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0710/top-10-successful-movie-franchises.aspx#axzz2JSQvLRDi)

[13] Yahoo Movies (http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/the-most-controversial-12a-films.html)

[14] Review Website (http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-dark-knight-rises)

[15] Den of the Geek (http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/batman/13531/the-dark-knight-is-a-12a-bbfc-stands-by-its-decision)

[16] Den of the Geek (http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/batman/13531/the-dark-knight-is-a-12a-bbfc-stands-by-its-decision)

[17] Jenny McCartney, Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2461820/Our-attitude-to-violence-is-beyond-a-joke-as-new-Batman-film-The-Dark-Knight-shows.html)

[18] Allyson Pearson, Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/9426408/Why-was-a-child-watching-such-a-violent-movie.html)

[19] Boxoffice.com

[20] Simon Dillon, Censorship or Greed (http://thegreatesttrick.wordpress.com/2012/03/14/censorship-or-greed-the-12apg-13-debate/)

[21] Simon Dillon, Censorship or Greed (http://thegreatesttrick.wordpress.com/2012/03/14/censorship-or-greed-the-12apg-13-debate/)

[22] Simon Dillon, Censorship or Greed (http://thegreatesttrick.wordpress.com/2012/03/14/censorship-or-greed-the-12apg-13-debate/)

[23] Censoring Hollywood: Sex and Violence in Film and on the Cutting Room Floor- Malone, A (2011).p.3

[24] Censoring Hollywood: Sex and Violence in Film and on the Cutting Room Floor

Malone, A, (2011).p.3

[25] Is the 12A Valid? (http://www.heyuguys.co.uk/is-the-12a-certificate-still-valid/)

Mest 4: Research & Production

Wednesday 13 February 2013

Learner Response

Wednesday 6 February 2013

Critical Investigation Draft #1: Self Assessment

Critical Investigation Draft #1

[23] Censoring Hollywood: Sex and Violence in Film and on the Cutting Room Floor- Malone, A (2011).p.3

[24] Censoring Hollywood: Sex and Violence in Film and on the Cutting Room Floor