BBFC RELAXES POLICY ON DIFFERENT VERSIONS AT DIFFERENT CATEGORIES (05.01.04)

The BBFC has decided to change the classification policy which prevents different versions of videos and DVDs being distributed if they are not rated for the same age group.

With the advent of the DVD there has been a growing trend towards the release of alternative versions, or 'Director's Cuts', of successful film titles. These may contain new material not present in the version originally submitted to the BBFC, or simply the uncut versions of films previously cut to obtain a lower certificate (at the cinema and/or on video). In a number of instances these have required a higher age rating than the original, which the BBFC has not permitted. The key concern has been that two versions of the same title would lead to customer and retailer confusion.

The BBFC has now decided to relax this policy. To ensure that there is no confusion between the different versions the BBFC has obtained the agreement of the industry to make the packaging for the new version significantly different from the original and to include clear references to the uncut, or 'Director's cut' versions. The industry has also agreed to ensure that packaging for the higher rated versions is not attractive to under-age viewers. All packaging will be approved by the BBFC to ensure that there should be no confusion between the different versions.

Robin Duval, Director of the BBFC said:
“We know that this change of policy will be very popular with film fans who want to own the uncut versions of their favourite films, or who want to see a film as the director intended it. The industry's agreement to submit all packaging to the BBFC for approval will mean that the different versions will be easily identifiable so that retailers and rental shops can continue to prevent under age viewing, but adult film fans will be able to enjoy their favourite film in full.”

BBFC ASKS THE PUBLIC, "ARE WE STILL GETTING IT RIGHT?" (08.01.04)

Three years after the publication of the film and video classification guidelines the BBFC is going back to the public to ask 'are we still getting it right?'

Robin Duval, Director of the BBFC said:
“We make much of the fact that our guidelines enjoy public support, so it is essential that we regularly go back to the public to make sure we are still reflecting the general view. Our current guidelines are the most researched guidelines of any content regulator, but this time we will be asking even more people for their views on every classification issue from the usual ones of sex, bad language and violence through to how well the 12A cinema rating is doing.”

The public will be asked for their views using a variety of methods. Visitors to the BBFC website will be asked to fill in a comprehensive questionnaire covering all aspects of classification policy; in 'hall tests' carried out around the UK members of the public will be asked to take time out to sit down and read the guidelines and then fill in a questionnaire; around 30 focus groups held throughout the country will look at specific classification issues.

Mr Duval said:
“Public opinion does not always move one way. It is more than three years since we consulted so it will be interesting to see if attitudes have shifted and if so which way. When we consulted last time we were surprised by the strength of feeling about the portrayal of drugs, particularly in films for young people. So this is one of the issues we will be asking the public who take part in the focus groups to consider. We will also give particular emphasis to the violence guidelines, including how concerned people are about the influence of violence and violent techniques at different classification levels.”

“The issue of bad language never goes away. For every person who says that you hear worse in the playground there is another who expects the strongest expressions to be reserved to the highest ratings. There are also regional variations in the offensiveness of particular words. We will be interested to see whether people generally have become more relaxed about bad language, or whether films like Billy Elliot or Sweet Sixteen still need to be rated more highly just because of the strong language.

“Focus groups will also be considering how well the 12A cinema rating is working. They will be asked how helpful the consumer advice is that accompanies 12A films, whether it should be extended to accompany all ratings; whether perhaps there should be a lower age cut off point; and whether the advisory nature of the rating should even be extended to higher rated films.

“This consultation will run over several months and we will be looking not just for the general public's views but those also of all interested sectors. We hope to publish new film and video classification guidelines towards the end of 2004.”

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BBFC DIRECTOR ROBIN DUVAL TO RETIRE (05.03.04)

Robin Duval has announced that he will retire in August after five and a half years as the Director of the BBFC. He was appointed at the end of 1998.

During his time as Director the Board has become more accountable to the public and more transparent in its decision making. Mr Duval oversaw the Board's first major public consultation exercise resulting in the Classification Guidelines published in September 2000. In this period also, the Board's overall workload has more than doubled from 5712 titles in 1998 to 14,000 last year. At the same time improved efficiency has resulted in a drop of over 20 per cent in the classification fees charged to the industry.

Mr Duval said:

“My period as Director of the BBFC has been immensely stimulating and challenging. I shall be very sad to leave. I believe the publication of the Guidelines, the Board's websites and our continuing engagement with the public through research and publicity have made the Board's decisions much more understandable and acceptable. The Board also now enjoys a reputation for consistency and professional efficiency.

“There is no way of knowing when is the best time to retire, but I would like to think at least that I am leaving the BBFC in good shape. I will miss particularly the kindness and support of all those I have worked with in my five and a half years at the BBFC.”

Before joining the Board Mr Duval was, for seven years, the Deputy Director of Programmes at the Independent Television Commission. As a TV regulator he was responsible for monitoring television standards at the ITC and IBA for 13 years. He began his career in BBC radio and then spent three years as a writer and producer of television commercials at J Walter Thompson. In 1968 he joined the Central Office of Information (COI) as a scriptwriter and went on to become Head of Television and Film Production.

The search for his replacement will begin immediately via open competition.

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RETIRING BBFC DIRECTOR LOOKS TO THE FUTURE (04.05.04)

“In an increasingly rich media environment, the BBFC's role as a provider of basic advice and guidance is likely to expand” Robin Duval, retiring Director of the BBFC, predicted in his foreword to the Board's Annual Report, published today.

“The Board will need to stay close to standards of public acceptability. There will be a greater value in the provision of information and advice alongside the formal classification ratings. The public will want it and I believe the industry will increasingly become persuaded of the benefits in delivering it.”

The future prospects for a wider European harmonization of film standards, however, seemed as remote as ever:

“The British are almost alone in Europe in their sensitivity to bad language. The French place a much higher premium upon the cultural value of a film than other nations. The Spanish tend to take a harder line than anyone on sexual immorality and the Scandinavians are most sensitive on violence and least on sex. Some European nations prohibit censorship for adults, others cut or ban films. In some countries the age ratings are advisory only, in others (including France) they are mandatory. The example of videogames, which are now regulated in most of Europe from Hilversum, suggests that harmonisation may only be achievable by agreeing to abide by the standards of the most restrictive nations.”

Looking back on his five years as Director of the BBFC Mr Duval highlighted the huge increase in workload from less than 6,000 works in 1998 to 14,000 in 2003, whilst commending the Board's staff for reducing turnaround time to around a quarter of what it had been. As a result of this increased productivity the Board has this year reduced the fees for classification by 11 per cent with immediate effect. The Board's fees have been reduced or rebated four times since December 2001 and are now more than a third lower than they were in 2002.

In his introduction to the Annual Report, the Board's President, Sir Quentin Thomas also emphasised the need for the Board to stay close to standards of public acceptability.

He also said:

“It is essential that the Board enjoys the widest possible measure of public, political and media understanding and confidence. That means gauging as best we can where the public stands. At the beginning of 2004 we launched a further programme of consultation to establish once more how far our Guidelines continue to reflect public concerns. To that end the Board is using a variety of research methods including a website questionnaire; 'hall tests'; a national survey of over 4000 people; focus groups and contributions from individuals, interested groups and the industry. Our aim is to publish new Guidelines before the end of the year.”

The BBFC Annual Report (pdf version) is available here.

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BBFC ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR  (30.06.04)

The BBFC today announced the appointment of David Cooke as the new Director of the BBFC.
Mr Cooke is currently Associate Political Director at the Northern Ireland Office and has a wide experience of regulatory policy and practice in broadcasting, drugs, immigration, and criminal justice.

He will be taking up the post in September when the current Director, Robin Duval, retires.

David Cooke said:
“As a regular film-goer with a long-standing interest in film and film criticism I am delighted to be bringing my regulatory experience to the post of Director of the BBFC. It is vital for the classification process to be independent, fair and open; to command public confidence; and to be responsive to social concerns. Under Robin Duval, the BBFC has consolidated its expertise, communicated clearly the basis for its decisions and achieved high standards of productivity. I am greatly looking forward to working with the staff of the BBFC, the Presidential Team, the Council of Management and the Board's advisory bodies and stakeholders so that the Board can continue going from strength to strength.”

Robin Duval said:
“I am delighted to be handing over the reins to such a talented and able individual. I first came across David in the 1980s when we were both involved in broadcast regulation, and have admired his outstanding commonsense and sound judgement. Since then he has shown a diverse range of talents at the most senior levels of Whitehall in management and policy making.

“The BBFC is now a sizeable organization with a staff of over 60, including more than 20 full time professional examiners. It is currently handling more than 14,000 films and videoworks a year. The Director's job today is to lead the BBFC through an increasingly complex range of regulatory, legal and policy issues. David is the ideal appointment to lead the Board.”

David Cooke joined the Civil Service in 1977 and has worked in the Home Office, the Cabinet Office and the Northern Ireland Office. He has held six Director-level posts. In the Home Office Broadcasting Department between 1987 and 1990, David was responsible for policy on radio, cross-media ownership, broadcast programme standards and constitutional issues. He helped set up the Broadcasting Standards Council and Radio Authority and coordinated the White Paper Broadcasting: Competition, Choice and Quality and the Broadcasting Act 1990.

The post of Director was filled through open competition.

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'SPIDER-MAN 2' UPRATED TO A 12A FOR IMAX CINEMAS (27.08.04)

The BBFC has raised the 'PG' rating for Spider-Man 2 to '12A' for IMAX cinemas in the UK.  The IMAX cinemas are located in Bradford, Bristol, Belfast, Bournemouth, Glasgow, Manchester and two in London. 

When classifying a film for cinema release the Board carefully considers the impact of the special effects and sound track on the likely audience.  In the case of Spider-Man 2 the Board believes that  the huge screens and powerful sound systems in IMAX cinemas, designed to deliver an intense cinematographic experience, mean that some young children may find the film more 'scary' than they would if they saw it at a 'traditional' cinema. 

The '12A' rating does not mean that young fans cannot see the film as children under 12 years of age can see a '12A' rated film if they are accompanied by an adult.  The '12A' rating for IMAX cinemas is designed to help parents with young or sensitive children to make sure that their trip to the cinema is not a distressing experience.

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BBFC PASSES '9 SONGS' UNCUT FOR AN ADULT AUDIENCE (18.10.04)

The BBFC has classified Michael Winterbottom's film 9 Songs '18' uncut for cinema release.  The film portrays the development of a relationship between two people, and includes a number of scenes of explicit, real, sexual activity.  The Board carefully considered whether these scenes contravened the current classification Guidelines.   

Some people may find such explicit images shocking or unexpected in a cinema film.  The Board is sensitive to public concerns, and its Guidelines are based on extensive consultation.  The Board's Guidelines allow the more explicit images of sexual activity at '18' if they can be exceptionally justified by context.   The Board has concluded in this case that adults should be free to choose whether or not to see the film.  The film does not raise issues of harm or sexual violence.  The film's exploration of the relationship provides sufficient contextual justification for the Board to pass the work uncut at '18'.  9 Songs is wholly different in appearance, tone, intention and treatment from the sex works which the Board classifies either at '18' or 'R18' (and which  in the latter case may be supplied only in licensed sex shops). 

The Board's consumer advice for the film will make clear that the film contains frequent strong real sex so that anyone who might be offended can avoid seeing the film. 

Note for Editors:

Although not numerous, there are precedents for the Board passing real sex at '18', including Ai No Corrida classified '18' in 1991 (which also depicts the development of a relationship using images of real sex) and more recently Romance (1999) and Intimacy (2001). 

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