DVDs EXEMPT FROM CLASSIFICATION

[Cheeky Bob]

I think the documentary exemption was a by-product of people expressing concerns that there would have to be compulsory BBFC classification of training videos and similar materials - which would clearly be overkill in the extreme.

I don't have the full text of the Video Recordings Act to hand, but I have read it, and this Wikipedia summary seems pretty accurate:

Sport, music, religious, and educational works are exempt from classification under the Act. Exemption may be forfeited if the work depicts excessive human sexual activity or acts of force or restraint associated with such activity, mutilation or torture of humans or animals, human genital organs or urinary or excretory functions, or techniques likely to be useful in the perpetration of criminal acts or illicit activity.

This is presumably why the BFI's Land of Promise is exempt from classification, but their The Joy of Sex Education has an 18 certificate. I suspect it was at the BFI's discretion whether to submit it for classification, but given the profile of that particular release it was probably sensible.

Personally, I think the same discretion should be extended to distributors of any videos. The system in the US seems to me to be infinitely better - there, if you go down the classification route, your releases get access to a much bigger market because mainstream retailers generally make this a condition. On the other hand, small niche distributors who couldn't care less about getting stocked in Wal-Mart or Blockbuster release their product without MPAA approval and take the consequences (substantially restricted distribution, fewer advertising outlets, etc.) - but the upside is that they don't have to pay through the nose for classification they don't especially care about.

Under such a system, the BBFC would still end up classifying the vast majority of DVDs, but those shoestring operators who increasingly cite the costs of BBFC classification as a reason not to include particular extras would be able to produce superior releases on the same limited budgets. And as for those who release legally dodgy material... well, that's what the law is for. This system works elsewhere, so why not here?

As for The Graduate, the BBFC's stated reason for the 15 certificate is "Contains adultery theme and references to rape."

[didi-5]

Some music compilations are exempt from classification as well, but live performances generally aren't. That's always puzzled me.

[JamesM]

As pointed out earlier, there are roughly three exemptions, sporting events, musical performances and videos that, on whole, educate or inform. There are exemptions to the exemptions outlined in a previous post. These do not include bad language so an audio commentary or video featuring bad language does not require it to be classified, according to the Video Recordings Act. With the exception of audio commentaries performed in character and or ones that play over video of footage that falls into the category of one of the exemptions to the exemptions, DVD do not require classification.



Placing classification requirements on material that is, on a whole, intended to educate or inform would be contravening EU law as it would severely prohibit freedom of speech.

[Sgt Sunshine]

name='Cheeky Bob']I think the documentary exemption was a by-product of people expressing concerns that there would have to be compulsory BBFC classification of training videos and similar materials - which would clearly be overkill in the extreme.

I don't have the full text of the Video Recordings Act to hand, but I have read it, and this Wikipedia summary seems pretty accurate:

This is presumably why the BFI's Land of Promise is exempt from classification, but their The Joy of Sex Education has an 18 certificate. I suspect it was at the BFI's discretion whether to submit it for classification, but given the profile of that particular release it was probably sensible.

Personally, I think the same discretion should be extended to distributors of any videos. The system in the US seems to me to be infinitely better - there, if you go down the classification route, your releases get access to a much bigger market because mainstream retailers generally make this a condition. On the other hand, small niche distributors who couldn't care less about getting stocked in Wal-Mart or Blockbuster release their product without MPAA approval and take the consequences (substantially restricted distribution, fewer advertising outlets, etc.) - but the upside is that they don't have to pay through the nose for classification they don't especially care about.

Under such a system, the BBFC would still end up classifying the vast majority of DVDs, but those shoestring operators who increasingly cite the costs of BBFC classification as a reason not to include particular extras would be able to produce superior releases on the same limited budgets. And as for those who release legally dodgy material... well, that's what the law is for. This system works elsewhere, so why not here?

As for The Graduate, the BBFC's stated reason for the 15 certificate is "Contains adultery theme and references to rape."

Thanks Cheeky Bob........for finding out about why "The Graduate" has 15 cert....Did you find that on their site or somewhere else?

Cheers

Sgt S

[DeepFriedFilm]

The BBFC is a non-governmental body that charges extortinate prices to allow film makers to sell their films. Documentaries used to b Exempt but due to the success of Michael Moore - the BBFC decided they should take a cut. I'm not against censorship but I am against monopolies - especially when they bow to the big boys - Dark Knight a 12a? We are trying to get the system changed for the better. If you want to help google Deep Fried Film and check out our resources page.

[asiamiles]

I have some live music DVD's that have Exempt on them, so when I came to release my live/compilation music DVD I just put Exempt on the back. Even though it's not for sale in any UK shops, if someone does at some point distribute/sell it there should hopefully be no problem.

[Gerald Lovell]

When the BBC first issued THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES (1968) and COUNT DRACULA (1977) on DVD, it was under their educational label and they were classified as "E". When these were issued on the regular BBC Worldwide label, they were reclassified under the usual categories.

[JamesM]

I'm also somewhat confused about the Exempt classification.

For example some Top Gear DVD's I have are 'E' classified whilst others have received a 'PG' classification.

The BBFC works in a mysterious way.

Old thread, I know, but I thought that I should clarify a few points. This has nothing to do with the ways of the BBFC. The Top Gear DVDs with a 'PG' certificate were submitted to the BBFC and those with an 'E' were not. This would be entirely down to the BBC.

[JamesM]

Last year I bought a music DVD of a live performance. It's exempt from classification, but features multiple uses of the 'F' word.

Videos that, taken as a whole, concern music are one of the criteria that are exempt from classification. There are exemptions to the exemptions but language is not one of them.

[JamesM]

Recently when viewing Wikipedia I noticed there are some DVD's/Videos which are Exempt from classification "E" Certificate..........These apply to Music & Documentary subjects among others..........

My point being you are very likely to see images of a sexual nature in a music video, as well as violent images in a Documentary (and indeed vice/versa)....

So how can this be ????Is it the same in USA or rest of Europe/World?

You are right that musical works that contain sexual imagery and documentaries that contain acts of violence might need to be classified, depending on the extent of that sexual imagery and violence.

The USA does not require classification of videos but other countries do such as Australia.

[JamesM]

Mrs Merton is 'E'. Somewhat surprising at times!

I guess, even though the interviewer is in character, the videos will come under the the 'intended to inform' category.

[JamesM]

Documentaries used to b Exempt but due to the success of Michael Moore - the BBFC decided they should take a cut.

What a load of nonsense. The rules applying to the VRA did not change with the advent of Michael Moore's documentaries. The distributor took a decision to submit the documentary to the BBFC; probably for commercial reason.

[Sgt Sunshine]

Many thanks for your informative & thoughtful replies James.....
Cheers
Sgt S