NEW FILM RATING
FOR UNDER TWELVES
Copyright 2002 www.thetimes.co.uk
[ August 29th 2002 ]
The 12
rating for films is to be scrapped and replaced
with a new category allowing younger children
to see them, the British Board of Film Classification
announced today. Under the new 12A rating, children
under that age will be allowed into cinemas as
long as they are accompanied by an adult.
It will
be up to parents to decide whether their children
are mature enough to see particular films. The
12A classification will have exactly the same
guidelines as the 12 rating. It allows scenes
of nudity and "soft" drug taking, although both
must be brief and justified in the context. Scenes
of violence are also allowed if they do not dwell
on detail and there may be "occasional gory moments".
Sexual
activity may be implied and rare instances of
strong language are permitted. Announcing the
change, BBFC director Robin Duval said: "The BBFC
receives a steady stream of letters from parents
asking why they cannot make the decision about
whether their child can see a 12-rated film. We
know that the development and maturity of children
varies considerably and parents know best what
their children can deal with. "It is important,
however, that young children have an adult with
them in case they are disturbed by anything they
may see."
Recent
Hollywood blockbusters to carry the 12 rating
include Spider-Man, The Mummy and its sequel The
Mummy Returns, and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. The
majority of letters sent to the BBFC have been
from parents wanting to take their young children
to see the 12-rated James Bond films. The change,
which takes effect from tomorrow, means that under-12s
will probably be able to see the forthcoming 007
movie Die Another Day, starring Pierce Brosnan,
which is out in November and is awaiting classification.
One of
the first films to carry the new 12A rating will
be The Bourne Identity, a thriller starring Matt
Damon which is released early next month. A BBFC
spokeswoman stressed that parents should check
the guidelines for the new rating before taking
their children to the cinema. "It is important
that parents look at the consumer advice before
they see the film. "We don't think any of the
films we pass at 12A will be suitable for very
young children. This change is really aimed at
the parents of 10 and 11-year-olds," she said.
The change
is being introduced after extensive research and
a pilot exercise in Norwich when children under
12 were allowed to see 12-rated films with an
adult. The research found that 70 per cent of
people supported the new rating as long as children
were accompanied by an adult and consumer advice
was easily available. Similar advisory ratings
are in place in most of Europe, the US, Australia
and Canada. The 12 rating was introduced for films
in 1989 and videos in 1994. It will remain in
force for videos.
Films
will now carry a new orange 12A symbol and consumer
advice will be available on advertising, through
cinema listings and from the BBFC website. Any
films classified before today's announcement which
are already in the cinemas will continue to carry
a 12 certificate but under-12s will be able to
see them in the company of an adult.
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