Research: Censorship - Miss Begum

Who are the BBFC and what is there role?

The British Board Of Film Classification(BBFC), provides age ratings such as U, PG, and 12A. Their job is to rate, sometimes cut, censor or even reject some films due to disturbing and unethical scenes
 that may seem offensive. Their role is to protect members of the public from offensive viewing that is likely to harm the viewer in any way possible, including psychologically.

What is the difference between films being cut and banned?

Cut- When a film is edited with scenes being removed that the BBFC see inappropriate for viewing.

Texas Chainsaw Masscare(1974)

                                            

Texas chainsaw massacre was refused an age certificate as it was seen as unacceptable by the BBFC. The film was describes by critics as a 'Pornography of terror.' The film was banned due to its focus on 'abnormal psychology' and the high level of terrorisation. Be that as it may, the film was edited and cut many times and was acceptable to viewing in 1998. Moreover, A remake of the film was made in 2014 and was rated a certificate as modern society are more tolerant to torture and violent scenes that they were before.

Banned-

When a film is rejected completely from cinema viewing due to indecent, harmful and offensive material it contains.

Scum (1979)

                                         

Scum was banned for viewing in 1979 as it was seen as raw, violent and shocking. Its based in a contemporary borstal which is run by explicit and extreme violence rather than reason. The content it had was seen unacceptable by the BBFC due to gang rape, racism, and extreme violence. However with contradiction, the film was finally classified in 2007.

What are the things get censored and why?

Political censorship:These are censored as the government (or a political party) may hold back certain kinds of information. This is done to avoid rebellions or embarrassment. However if the film is released, the consequences will not be avoided

Religious censorship: As religion is such a sensitive matter and personal to many people, the idea of it cannot be mocked as it could seriously offend people. An example of this is 'The Exorcist' which was banned because it portrayed a little girl using religious symbols in a sexual way. 

Graphic Violence: Graphic violence is a depiction, especially of vivid, brutal and realistic acts of violence. This is usually censored to avoid distress to the audience and to prevent influence. An example of this is Blood Feast. This film includes extreme violence as an Egyption caterer kills various women to bring alive a goddess.

Sex and Nudity:

 Sex and Nudity can only be displayed in films if it follows the narrative and has a relevant reason. Movies with extreme nudity and sexual activity will be banned or censored by the BBFC as the film has no narrative to support the idea and it is seen a pornography. An example of this is Gasper Noe's 'Irreversible'. This included strong sexual content and had to battle out to get the movie displayed.

Drug Abuse: This is censored if it galmourises the use of drugs or if it can portray any copycat behaviour from the young. The drugs need to show a moral ending otherwise it will be cut from the scenes or potentially banned. 

Corrupting the young: Any themes or ideas that may harm a young child's mind and traumatised them. Moreover movies using young children to commit violent and corrupting ideas are bound to be banned. An example of this is Mikey, this consisted of a child killing adults. This movie was banned as the BBFC was afraid young children will get influenced and copy his acts.

Animal abuse:

This may be cut or banned due to harm to living creatures (animals) purposely during filming which is made illegal. This is because it may upset audiences especially young ones. Also because humans have no right to take away life for entertainment just because animals are unable to speak. Cannibal Holocaust is a massive example of this and has been banned for animal abuse. The movie is still banned in many countries till this day.

Language: Bad language is commonly censored but may also be cut if it is used excessively in one scene for no moral reason as it may disturb and make viewers feel uncomfortable. Although bad language is allowed in 15 rated movies, it has to match the narrative, as so with 18 rated movies although swearing is more severely portrayed then. 

Shock/Lighting: Movies including strobe lighting may be edited and cut as it can harm viewers vision, especially audiences with epilepsy as it can get them drowsy and put them in danger.

                                                        Natural Born Killers (1994)

Natural born killers tells the story of two victims of traumatic childhoods who became lovers and mass murders and are irresponsibly glorified by mass media. This film was criticised for glamorising murder and containing extreme violence, suicide and rape. Considering this, the producers had to cut 7 minutes of the movie for it to be certified, nonetheless; the film was still banned in many countries because of its strong political views. Natural born killers is one of the biggest and most known censored films due to its A-list cast, this is the main reason critics and viewers were surprised by the film ending up banned and edited many times.

Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

After being declined, the film was finally released in 2001 with many scenes being cut. Cannibal Holocaust achieved notoriety as its graphic violence aroused a great deal of controversy. There was rumors around the movie that claimed some actors were killed on camera. Although Deodato was later cleared, the film was banned in Italy, Australia, and several other countries due to its disturbing portrayal of graphic brutality, sexual assault, and animal violence. Although In 1981, video releases were not required to pass before the British Board of Film Classification, the film was still banned in over 50 countries and gained its place as the 20th most controversial movie of all time. After cutting many scenes, the film was finally rates a R18+.

Hell Camp (1977)

This is one of many fictionalized World War II Nazi POW camp atrocities. Due to its offensive depictions of sexual violence and extreme impact violence throughout, the film is still currently banned in the U.K and Australia. The film was perceived as intolerable due to its excessive sexual violence.

Who debates this idea:

NEGATIVES:

Directors are the main people who debate this idea as if their movie gets banned, it corrupts them as they get in debt as the are not able to make money because the movie is not allowed to get released. Also, when a movie is banned, the name and the director gains a bad reputation and no other production company would want to invest money into their film; due to their previous banned movie. Directors feel they cant express their art too. Taking away peoples freedom to watch what they want.

POSITIVES:

• it protects people from harmful images, especially the young
• Prevents copycat behavior to be applied by viewers
• Prevents audiences from upholding any ideas they've heard or seen in the film 
• Can protect views from harmful content that may psychologically harm them consciously and unconsciously 

I believe films getting banned for controversial reasons is a good thing as audiences watching the movie are not able to infer what to expect from a graphic, movie by just the title. Banning and cutting the movie avoids audiences from shock and fear that may psychologically harm them.