Research: Age certificates

The BBFC
They are  there to decide whether films can be released or should be banned or censored; they also decide what age certificate it can be in order to protect the audience from anything harmful or upsetting. They are important because they protect adults and more importantly children. With age certificates parents are able to identify what film is and is not approcriate for their child to watch.

Here are a list of age certificates in the uk:

• U - The film is open to all ages to watch; for example 'Ice Age'

• PG - open to all ages from about 8 years old, but parents are advised to decide whether it is suitable for a younger child; for example 'Diary of a wimpy kid'

• 12 - No one younger than 12 must watch this film
• 12A - No one younger than 12 must watch this movie unless accompanied by and adult; for example 'Batman Begins'

• 15 - No one under 15 must watch a 15 rated film; for example 'Final Destination 5'

• 18 - No one under the age of 18 must watch an 18 rated film; for example 'Texas chain saw massacre 2013'

The 12A certificate came across when people complained about super hero films such as 'Spiderman' being too violent for children to watch. But at the same time they thought it was wrong for children who are fans of teh characters to not be able to watch the film. They then decided to compramise and made a new age certificate '12A' so that it was left in the hands of parents to decide whether or not that think it is okay for thair child to watch it.

Thrillers or often given a 15 age rating because it contains content that is not suitable for people younger than 15 but thrillers tend to be less disturbing than horror films which are ofen given an 18 age rating. Because of this I am considering giving my own thriller a 15 age rating.