Age rating in movies: how it works

Age rating is one of the most important aspects of cinematography, affecting what content will be available to audiences of different ages. A bright colorful “G” on a cartoon cover or a stark black and white “R” on a thriller poster are all signs that guide viewers’ decisions and give an idea of what to expect from a movie. In most super activities, the age rating is quite understandable and transparent: alcohol from 18, somewhere from 21, games in google pay online casino also from the beginning of adulthood, these are simple truths, but cinema is an extremely diverse industry, and therefore an important question arises.  What is the process behind these little icons? How are these ratings determined, and why do some films get one rating and others another?

In this article, we will look at how age ratings are formed in movies, who makes these decisions, and what criteria are used to classify films. We will also discuss the criticisms and shortcomings of the rating system to give a full understanding of its importance and complexity.

What is an age rating and why is it needed?

An age rating is a classification system designed to determine appropriate content for certain age groups. The main purpose of this system is to help viewers, especially parents, make informed choices about what content is appropriate for their children.

Ratings focus on what content may be safe or appropriate for certain age groups, according to certain criteria, including violence, sexual content, profanity, and other adult topics.

Films that receive higher ratings, such as “R” (for audiences over 17) or “NC-17” (adults only) in the MPAA classification system, often contain material that may be inappropriate or disturbing to young viewers.

At the same time, films with lower ratings, such as “G” (for all ages) or “PG” (parental guidance recommended), suggest that they do not contain content that may cause parents concern for children to watch.

It is far from a perfect system and may not always accommodate all individual preferences or ethical objections, but it does provide a general framework that helps parents and viewers make informed choices.

Who determines the age rating?

In many countries, age ratings are determined by specialized organizations. In the US, for example, this is the task of the Classification Board of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). In the UK, this function is performed by the British Film Association (BBFC), and in Russia – by the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Communications (Roskomnadzor).

Employees of these organizations review each film and assign it a rating based on certain criteria. They evaluate the presence and severity of elements such as violence, sexuality, strong language, drug use, etc. It is important to note that this is not censorship: none of these bodies has the power to ban the release of a film. They only determine for what age it is most suitable.

However, it is worth noting that the criteria may differ in different countries. A film that scores low in one country may score high in another due to cultural and social differences. This makes the ranking process complex and multi-layered.

Rating process

The rating process begins with the commission viewing the film. The panel is usually made up of experts in film, psychology, education, and other areas that may be relevant to determining the age rating. In some countries, parents can also participate in the commission.

During the screening process, the commission evaluates various aspects of the film: violence, sexual content, profanity, drug use, etc. The Commission evaluates not only the presence of these elements, but also the context in which they are presented. For example, violence may be presented for educational or historical purposes, or it may be senseless and violent.

After watching the film, the commission holds a discussion and decides on the rating. This may be a collective decision or a majority decision.

The decision is then announced publicly and the age rating information is made available to viewers. In practice, this means that the age rating is indicated on the movie poster, on the cover of the DVD or Blu-ray disc, as well as on the movie page on movie portals on the Internet.

It should be noted that the decision of the commission can be appealed. Appeal procedures vary by country, but usually include the option for the studio or distributor to appeal to a higher authority or seek a review of the decision.

Criteria for evaluation

Many factors are taken into account when determining a film’s age rating, including the following:

• Violence. This is perhaps the most obvious and often discussed criterion. The gore and intensity of the violence can vary greatly from film to film, and it is up to the panel to decide if these scenes are suitable for different age groups.
• Sexual content. Scenes of a sexual nature can be sensitive for younger viewers. Here, too, the commission evaluates not only the presence of such scenes, but also their context and presentation.
• Profanity. The use of obscene or offensive language also affects the film’s rating.
• Topics for adults. Some films may deal with complex or difficult topics such as death, drugs, suicide, which may be difficult for younger viewers to understand and digest.

This is not an exhaustive list of criteria, and different organizations may apply their own approaches to determining the age rating. However, these criteria help provide a basic idea of what aspects of a film are being judged in a rating.

However, this is strongly influenced by the context in which a particular scene and information in a film is presented. For example, for films aimed at an audience of 12 years and older, it is necessary that the viewer clearly understand where evil is and where good is, without being able to ambiguous interpretation. That is, in such films there is no place for gray morality. In turn, films 16+ can raise the issue of the duality of good and evil. For example, here you can consider the topic of violence, it can be both violence against the enemy, and violence against your loved ones. Sex scenes can be deconstructed in the same way, on the one hand it can be part of the development of romantic relationships, and on the other hand, betrayal of a spouse.

Criticism and counterarguments

The age rating system, like any rating system, is subject to criticism. Some critics argue that it restricts creative freedom as directors and screenwriters can restrict or change their content to fit a certain rating.

There are also claims for subjectivity in decision-making. After all, the evaluation of content is highly dependent on the personal views of the members of the commission, which can lead to inconsistency and unpredictability in the assignment of ratings.

Another issue that generates discussion is the effect of age rating on a film’s commercial success. Films with more stringent ratings may have smaller audience reach and therefore lower profits.

On the other hand, proponents of the rating system argue that it plays an important role in informing the audience about the film’s content. This allows viewers, especially parents, to make informed decisions about which films are appropriate to watch.

Finally, there are suggestions for improving the system, such as introducing more detailed ratings or more objective evaluation criteria. In any case, it is important to remember that the rating system is a tool designed to serve the interests of viewers, and therefore it must be constantly developed and improved in order to better serve its purpose.

Conclusion

The age rating system in cinema is complex and multifaceted, affecting various aspects from creative freedom to commercial success. It plays an important role in how the audience perceives and selects films to watch and, as we have seen, is based on a variety of criteria and processes.

However, the age rating system is not infallible and is subject to criticism and discussion. It will likely continue to evolve and adapt to changing cultural norms and audience preferences. It is important that this evolution takes place in the interests of the audience, providing them with clear and useful information to make informed decisions about watching movies.

Martin Woolridge

“Pop culture advocate. Troublemaker. Friendly student. Proud problem solver.”