I really didn't knew how the rating system of films in America worked out and it's actually kind of mind blowing!
So basically the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) that represents the six big Hollywood studios has a rating system compound by 5 main groups: G (General Audiences) PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned) R (Restricted) NC-17 (No One 17 & Under Admitted). And obviously no director wants to have the last one because this ratings influence the theaters to decide it to show it and how many will probably show it and of course, that would make the film lose money. There are also more 2 groups: NR (Not Rated) and UR (Unrated) for films that haven't been submitted for rating or for uncut versions of films that were submitted.
The components of the ratings are violence, sex, drugs and language. So far so good, the problem is that most of the rating are just ridiculous! How can they be less restrictive about violence than films with sexual content!? Why films with homosexuals have more restrictions than films with heterosexuals in the exact same circunstances!? Overall, directors are not free to do whatever they want if they want to have a good rating in their films. If they wanna have it they probably will be forced to cut the scenes that the MPAA think they should cut for the film to turn it good to their eyes and requirements. There's also other interesting facts about the Association and interviews with directors, many illustrative images and it's very funny also.
I don't care about ratings when I see a film but it was very interesting to see this and you will be kind of shocked by the absurdity of some of the arguments used. It's definitely a must see to anyone who loves cinema!
Shout by DeletedBlockedParent2013-07-18T02:07:58Z
I really didn't knew how the rating system of films in America worked out and it's actually kind of mind blowing!
So basically the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) that represents the six big Hollywood studios has a rating system compound by 5 main groups:
G (General Audiences)
PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
R (Restricted)
NC-17 (No One 17 & Under Admitted). And obviously no director wants to have the last one because this ratings influence the theaters to decide it to show it and how many will probably show it and of course, that would make the film lose money.
There are also more 2 groups: NR (Not Rated) and UR (Unrated) for films that haven't been submitted for rating or for uncut versions of films that were submitted.
The components of the ratings are violence, sex, drugs and language.
So far so good, the problem is that most of the rating are just ridiculous! How can they be less restrictive about violence than films with sexual content!? Why films with homosexuals have more restrictions than films with heterosexuals in the exact same circunstances!?
Overall, directors are not free to do whatever they want if they want to have a good rating in their films. If they wanna have it they probably will be forced to cut the scenes that the MPAA think they should cut for the film to turn it good to their eyes and requirements.
There's also other interesting facts about the Association and interviews with directors, many illustrative images and it's very funny also.
I don't care about ratings when I see a film but it was very interesting to see this and you will be kind of shocked by the absurdity of some of the arguments used.
It's definitely a must see to anyone who loves cinema!