Films depicting women enjoying sexual violence could be given higher
classifications, or the scenes cut, in a move which could have implications
for upcoming movies like the adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey.
Tougher regulations on rape and sexual violence have been introduced in the film industry which could see films depicting sexual violence given higher classifications or filmakers forced to cut scenes.
The updated policy by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) could
have implications for films like the adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey if
sexual violence is made to look appealing.
The new policy includes 'aggravating factors' which cover normalising rape,
identifying with perpetrators and showing the attack from their perspective.
Films will be given higher ratings and if these aggravating factors are
present they could be referred to the BBFC's Presidents for compulsory cuts.
David Cooke, BBFC director, said: "One of the most significant things we
did in 2012 was we launched a new updated policy on rape.
"It includes aggravating factors which include anything that supports
some version of the 'rape myth'; the notion that it's ok because the woman
enjoys it.
"It also includes the idea that the viewer is somehow complicit."
Mr Cooke described the policy, developed after research and work with focus groups, as more "robust." It came into force in December last year.
The idea of making the viewer complicit means showing rape 'through the eyes' of the attacker which could mean viewers are more likely to identifty with them.
Mr Cooke said they typically received between five and ten submissions a year where they would consider referring the film to the presidential team for consideration.
The BBFC has also worked with the Government to protect children from violence or sexual gratification scenes in traditionally exempt material, such as music videos.
New legislation is being drawn up by the Government which will mean DVDs of music videos for example will have to be classified by the BBFC. This is due to come into force in 2014.
Mr Cooke added: "Some of the exemptions have enabled some very strong material to be unclassified. You have music videos with self harm activity, fans carving bands names into their wrists."
The legislation modifies the Video Recordings Act, so only applies to physical material such as music videos that are recorded on DVDs but the Government could later ask the music industry to comply online as well.
Other examples include martial arts videos which show people how to kill someone using weapons, which was material previously classed as exempt.
Mr Cooke was talking at the launch of the BBFC's 2012 annual report, which identified the impact of online material.
This does not have to go through the BBFC but can be classified by users themselves using a watch and rate tool.
Classifications online increased by 40 per cent in 2012.
Mr Cooke described the policy, developed after research and work with focus groups, as more "robust." It came into force in December last year.
The idea of making the viewer complicit means showing rape 'through the eyes' of the attacker which could mean viewers are more likely to identifty with them.
Mr Cooke said they typically received between five and ten submissions a year where they would consider referring the film to the presidential team for consideration.
The BBFC has also worked with the Government to protect children from violence or sexual gratification scenes in traditionally exempt material, such as music videos.
New legislation is being drawn up by the Government which will mean DVDs of music videos for example will have to be classified by the BBFC. This is due to come into force in 2014.
Mr Cooke added: "Some of the exemptions have enabled some very strong material to be unclassified. You have music videos with self harm activity, fans carving bands names into their wrists."
The legislation modifies the Video Recordings Act, so only applies to physical material such as music videos that are recorded on DVDs but the Government could later ask the music industry to comply online as well.
Other examples include martial arts videos which show people how to kill someone using weapons, which was material previously classed as exempt.
Mr Cooke was talking at the launch of the BBFC's 2012 annual report, which identified the impact of online material.
This does not have to go through the BBFC but can be classified by users themselves using a watch and rate tool.
Classifications online increased by 40 per cent in 2012.
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