Film certification

[visceralview]

Many parents will be visiting cinemas this weekend and most will rely on the BBFC film certification to inform them of the suitability of a film for their young children or teenagers. Having seen the film Trance yesterday with a 15 certificate I feel the need to warn parents of its totally inappropriate content. Please read my email below sent to the leader of the city of edinburgh council which is self explanatory.

Dear Sir,

I understand that the local authority have the legal responsibility to ensure that films shown to the public and in particular to children and minors are suitable for viewing.

I wish to make a complaint about a film called Trance which is currently showing at Cineworld Fountainpark. This film has a 15 certifcate from BBFC which is totally inappropriate.

My complaint refers to two separate shots of a shaven vagina which are salacious and lingering. The shots are not integral to the film plot or storyline and could have been edited out with no effect or an 18 certificate issued.

I am an avid filmgoer and I am open-minded to artistic licence in films and have seen many more shocking scenes in films with 18 certificates, so I am not overly sensitive.

Both scenes are of a sexual nature and meant to excite. Usually such explicit shots would be used in pornographic films and magazines, both requiring the viewer to be 18 or over.

I am concerned at the message these vagina shots give to 15 year olds, both male and female. It is promoting the removal of vaginal hair and putting extra pressure on young girls to be hairfree, which is well documented to be the preference for paedophiles.

This film is directed by Danny Boyle who was questioned about it on the Jonathan Ross show last week and was visibly embarrassed when Jonathan mentioned the explicit full frontal nudity in the film. His face reddened and he was smiling through gritted teeth because he knows the shots are gratuitous and unnecessary.

As you are the authority responsible for the decency of public films allowed to be shown to children and minors I request that you review this film urgently and withdraw it immediately for viewing to those under 18 years of age.

I urge everyone to send a similar email to their local authority to try and stop this backdoor 'grooming' of our children through films.

[lakeside123]

I'm horrified by a report in the Daily Mail about the effects of changes to film certification. Are we really prepared to accept this , even for our older children?
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2538717/Do-really-want-MORE-swearing-films-New-ratings-flexible-bad-language-tougher-sex-gore.html
Can anyone advise on the accuracy of this report?

[Starballbunny]

I don't give a fuck about sex and swearing in 15s, but I do care about violence and gore, because that's what I and DD1 choose to avoid.

Sexual violence is clearly 18 if shown on screen.

[visceralview]

I have to laugh at the complete disinterest all you mothers have about what your children are seeing and hearing at the cinema. Yes the BBFC have revised their guidelines and your lovely children will soon be bombarded by fuck and cunt liberally strewn throughout films rated 15. I write the words in full and not as f and c because now apparently there is nothing wrong with children hearing these words, AS LONG AS THEY ARE IN CONTEXT. What does that mean? No-one of any decency uses these words in front of children so what exactly is context?

Anyone with any intelligence understands the link between the use of abusive language and abusive behaviour.

I have complained prolifically to the BBFC and about the BBFC for a year now, but they are totally untouchable. The Culture Minister Ed Vaizey wrote to me saying how wonderful they are.

The BBFC are funded and work on behalf of the film industry to ensure the lowest possible ratings for films to earn more income, not for the good of children or their welfare. Why are parents allowing an unelected and unaccountable organisation to decide on the morals of their children?

I would have thought a campaign to reverse the BBFC guidelines would have reached the million mark by now, but I haven't seen any interest.

Well I have been proved right as I predicted this a year ago, as I noticed an increase in foul language in 12a and 15 rated films long ago.

As for violence and gore, the only reason 15 films are full of it is because no-one complained when it was gradually being introduced and allowed by the BBFC. If you don't complain you get what you deserve.

[SaskiaRembrandtWasFramed]

Paging Daryl Dixon ...

[Starballbunny]

Secondary DDs are very good at peppering their language with Fuck when the audience is suitable (ie. me in a good mood) and no doubt with their school friends.

They wouldn't do it in the wrong place.

Cunt I only ever see on MN, I've never heard it in RL. I must move in posh circles (or be old, more likely)

[poopooheadwillyfatface]

Who knew you could shave a vagina?

I think people of 15 + are old enough to see that some people remove their pubic hair and some may remove their own as well.

I suspect most 15 year olds know and use more swearwords than I do.

I am not disinterested. But I have no problem with sexual imagery or swearing in films intended for adults or young adults.

[KateSMumsnet]

Hello all, we're just going to move this to Mumsnet petitions as we think it's the best place for it.