Censorship in the UK

On Thursday morning I returned to the UK from Southern Africa. Despite terrorist threats the journey itself was pretty uneventful. I withheld my desire to explain to the crew how giving me a plastic knife to eat with wouldn’t prevent me from stabbing someone annoying with my metal fork.

London is typically refreshing, grimy, exciting and confused. On September 8th ‘Destricted‘, a movie featuring explicit scenes of anal sex, enemas and male masturbation is getting a cinema release.

The UK shamelessly subjects every movie sold or seen to a board of censors. Cases where films are censored or banned involuntarily are rare, the vast majority of what the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) does is apply ratings, not mandate cuts or bans.

When movies are cut it’s usually a voluntary decision by distributors trying to secure a specific rating. For example, ‘Star Wars II - Attack of the Clones’ was cut by one second in the UK,

“…to remove a medium close shot of a head butt, inflicted by Jango Fett, wearing a metal helmet, on Obi-Wan Kenobi, who has no head protection, in order to achieve the “PG” classification. There were concerns that young children might attempt to imitate the move with undesirable results.”

Even porn DVD’s sold in the UK go through the process and each classification has it’s own guidelines about levels of sex and nudity.

There are eight ratings (described in English, not American English) are:

U, Uc - It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. But a ‘U’ film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. U films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror. Videos classified ‘Uc’ are particularly suitable for pre-school children. Nudity - Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context. Sex - Mild sexual behaviour (eg kissing) and references only (eg to ‘making love’). Violence - Mild violence only. Occasional mild threat or menace only.

PG - Parental Guidance - General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children. Nudity - Natural nudity, with no sexual context. Sex - Sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent. Mild sex references and innuendo only. Violence - Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed, if justified by its setting (eg historic, comedy or fantasy).

12A, 12 - Suitable for 12 years and over. No-one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. No-one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12′ rated video or DVD. Responsibility for allowing under-12s to view lies with the accompanying or supervising adult. Nudity - Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet. Sex - Sexual activity may be implied. Sex references may reflect what is likely to be familiar to most adolescents but should not go beyond what is suitable for them. Violence - Violence must not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated.

15 - Suitable only for 15 years and over. No-one younger than 15 may see a ‘15′ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15′ rated video or DVD. Nudity - Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. Sex - Sexual activity may be portrayed but without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour. Violence - Violence may be strong but may not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. Scenes of sexual violence must be discreet and brief.

18 - Suitable only for adults, No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18′ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18′ rated video. Sex Education at ‘18′ - Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safe sex and health, exceptions to the normal constraints on explicit images may be made in the public interest. Such explicit detail must be kept to the minimum necessary to illustrate the educational or instructional points being made. Sex Works at ‘18′ - Sex works are works, normally on video or DVD, whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing material which may be simulated are generally passed ‘18′, while sex works containing clear images of real sex are confined to the ‘R18′ category.

R18 - To be shown only in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults of not less than 18 years. The ‘R18′ category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex between adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and videos may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. ‘R18′ videos may not be supplied by mail order. The following content is not acceptable:

• any material which is in breach of the criminal law, including material judged to be obscene under the current interpretation of the Obscene Publications Act 1959.
• material (including dialogue) likely to encourage an interest in sexually abusive activity (eg paedophilia, incest, rape) which may include adults role-playing as non-adults.
• the portrayal of any sexual activity which involves lack of consent (whether real or simulated). Any form of physical restraint which prevents participants from indicating a withdrawal of consent.
• the infliction of pain or physical harm, real or (in a sexual context) simulated. Some allowance may be made for mild consensual activity. Penetration by any object likely to cause actual harm or associated with violence.
• any sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which does not form part of a clearly consenting role-playing game. Strong abuse, even if consensual, is unlikely to be acceptable.

Destricted has been rated 18.

In the US the government doesn’t censor as a matter of course, but the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) provides optional advisory ratings for the public. Though it sounds like a less restrictive system the result is decisions made by theatre owners who typically won’t screen any un-rated movies at all. So while on September 8th it’ll be fairly easy to see Destricted in the UK, in the US its effectively impossible to view outside the film-festival circuit where it’s been in circulation since January.

Derestricted suggests the US system, pseudo freedom with decisions left to the loudest public mob capable of intimidating business, actually results in more censorship. While pornsters ask for freedom on instinct, if that freedom’s left to the vagaries of the marketplace what’s it worth?

PS. Has anyone seen Destricted? Worth $20 (yeah… that’s how much seeing a movie ticket costs in London.)