X rating

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An X rating is a film rating that indicates that the film contains content that is considered to be suitable only for adults. Films with an X rating may have scenes of graphic violence or explicit sexual acts that may be disturbing or offensive to some viewers. The X rating is used in different ways by different countries, and it may have legal or commercial implications for the distribution and exhibition of such films. For example, some countries may ban or restrict the sale or rental of X-rated films, while others may allow them only in specific theaters or with special taxes. Some countries may also have different criteria or definitions for what constitutes an X-rated film, and some may consider the artistic merit of the film as a factor in classification. The X rating has been replaced or renamed by other ratings in some countries over time.

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Australia

The Australian Classification Board (ACB, formerly known as the OFLC), a government institution, issues ratings for all movies and television shows exhibited, televised, sold, or hired in Australia. Material showing explicit, non-simulated sex that is pornographic in nature is rated X18+. [1]

People under 18 may not buy, rent, exhibit, or view these films in cinemas. The exhibition or sale of these films to people under the age of 18 years is a criminal offence carrying a maximum fine of $5,500. Films classified as X18+ are forbidden from being sold or rented anywhere in the six states of Australia. They are legally available to be sold or hired in the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. Importing X18+ material from these territories to any of the Australian states is legal, as the constitution forbids any restrictions on trade between the states and territories.[ citation needed ]

France

Films may be shown in theaters in France only after classification by an administrative commission of the Ministry of Culture. In 1975, the X classification (officially: "pornographic or violence-inciting movies", films pornographiques ou d'incitation à la violence) was created for pornographic movies, or movies with successions of scenes of graphic violence. The commission has some leeway in classification; it may for instance take into account the artistic qualities of a movie to not count it as "pornographic". Movies with an X rating may only be shown in specific theaters; they bear higher tax rates and cannot receive any aid from the Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée, whether for the movies themselves or for the theaters screening these movies. [2] [3] Some of these taxes were repealed in 2020 because they weren't rentable enough. [4] [5]

1100 movies were X-rated in France, with the last classification occurring in 1996, as pornography went from theaters to video, which doesn't undergo as much control as cinema. The last adult movie theater in Paris, the Beverley in Paris, closed down in 2019 only leaving the Vox in Grenoble [6] [7] [8] .

Only ten movies were X-rated for violence: Open Season by Collinson, Lola by José María Forqué, Pique Nique (short film) by Gérard Bienfait, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre by Tobe Hooper, Hitch-Hike by Pasquale Festa Campanile, Return of the 38 Gang by Giuseppe Vari, The Warriors by Walter Hill, Frauengefängnis 3 by Jesús Franco, Mad Max by George Miller and Dawn of the Dead by George A. Romero; most of these subsequently received lower ratings. For exemple, The Warriors and Mad Max are now rated '12'.

In 2000, some conservative associations sued the government for granting the movie Baise-moi (Fuck me), which contained graphic, realistic scenes of sex and violence, a non-X classification. The Council of State ruled that the movie should have been rated X as it was then the only rating which banned this films to minors. The decision was highly controversial, and the '18' rating was reestablished for movies not pornographic or violence-inciting; Baise-moi became the first movie to have been awarded the newly reestablished '18' rating, which had been replaced by '16' in 1990. [9] [10] [11] [12]

In 2009, Histoires de sexe(s) by Ovidie and Jack Tyler was ordered by the Classification Board to be X-rated; the directors then withdrew their demand for a cinema certificate and released their movie direct-to-video [13] [14] .

United Kingdom

BBFC X 1951-1970.png
BBFC X 1970-1982.png
Two "X" symbols used by the British Board of Film Classification (1951–1970 and 1970–1982, respectively)

The original X certificate, replacing the H certificate, was issued between 1951 and 1982 by the British Board of Film Censors in the United Kingdom. It was introduced as a result of the Wheare Report on film censorship. [15] From 1951 to 1970, it meant "For exhibition when no child under 16 is present" and from 1970 to 1982 it was redefined as meaning "Suitable for those aged 18 and over". The X certificate was replaced in November 1982 by the 18 certificate.

Sometimes the rating of a film has changed significantly over time. For example, the French film Jules and Jim received an X rating in 1962 that was reduced to a PG (Parental Guidance) rating in 1991. [16] In some cases, films with extreme political content received an X rating. Battleship Potemkin was refused a certificate for "inflammatory subtitles and Bolshevik propaganda" in 1926, passed X in 1954, and finally rated PG in 1987. [17]

United States

Until 1990, the X rating was used by the Motion Picture Association of America for films deemed only suitable for adults. MPAA X RATING.svg
Until 1990, the X rating was used by the Motion Picture Association of America for films deemed only suitable for adults.

In the United States, the X rating was applied to a film that contained content judged unsuitable for children, such as extreme violence, strongly implied sex, and graphic language. When the MPAA film rating system began in North America on November 1, 1968, the X rating was given to a film by the Motion Picture Association of America (now the Motion Picture Association) if submitted to it, or due to its non-trademarked status, it could be self-applied to a film by a distributor that knew beforehand that its film contained content unsuitable for minors. From the late 1960s to about the mid-1980s, many mainstream films were released with an X rating, such as Midnight Cowboy , Medium Cool , The Girl on a Motorcycle , Last Summer , Last of the Mobile Hot Shots , Beyond the Valley of the Dolls , The Street Fighter , A Clockwork Orange , Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song , Fritz the Cat , Flesh Gordon , Alice in Wonderland: An X-Rated Musical Comedy , Last Tango in Paris and The Evil Dead . Films that achieved critical and commercial success were later re-rated R after minor cuts, including Midnight Cowboy and A Clockwork Orange. The threat of an X rating also encouraged filmmakers to re-edit their films to achieve an R rating; one notable example of this was the 1987 action film RoboCop , which had to be edited eleven times before it could attain an R rating. [18]

Because the X rating was not trademarked, anybody could apply it to their films, including pornographers, as many began to do in the 1970s. As pornography began to become more popular and more legally and commercially tolerated, pornographers placed an X rating on their films to emphasize the adult content. Some even started using multiple X's (i.e. XX, XXX, etc.) to give the impression that their film contained more graphic sexual content than the simple X rating. In some cases, the X ratings were applied by reviewers or film scholars, e.g. William Rotsler, who wrote "The XXX-rating is for hardcore, the XX-rating is for softcore, and an X-rating is for comparatively cool films." [19] Nothing beyond the simple X rating has ever been officially recognized by the MPAA. Because of the heavy use of the X rating by pornographers, it became associated largely with pornographic films, so that non-pornographic films given an X rating would have fewer theaters willing to book them and fewer venues for advertising. Many newspapers refused to advertise X-rated films. This led to a number of films being released unrated sometimes with a warning that the film contained content for adults only. In response, the MPAA eventually agreed in 1990 to a new NC-17 rating that would be trademarked, and could only be applied by the MPAA itself. By trademarking the rating, the MPAA committed to defending an NC-17 film charged with violating obscenity laws.

See also

Related Research Articles

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A motion picture content rating system classifies films based on their suitability for audiences due to their treatment of issues such as sex, violence, or substance abuse, their use of profanity, or other matters typically deemed unsuitable for children or adolescents. Most countries have some form of rating system that issues determinations variously known as certifications, classifications, certificates, or ratings. Age recommendations, of either an advisory or restrictive capacity, are often applied in lieu of censorship; in some jurisdictions movie theaters may have a legal obligation to enforce restrictive ratings.

<i>Baise-moi</i> 2000 film by Virginie Despentes and Coralie Trinh Thi

Baise-moi is a 2000 French erotic crime thriller film written and directed by Virginie Despentes and Coralie Trinh Thi and starring Karen Lancaume and Raffaëla Anderson. It is based on the novel by Despentes, first published in 1993. The film received intense media coverage because of its graphic mix of violence and explicit sex scenes. Consequently, it is sometimes considered an example of the "New French Extremity".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">R18 (British Board of Film Classification)</span> BBFC content rating used for hardcore pornographic films

R18 is a film and video classification given by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). It is intended to provide a classification for works that do not breach UK law, but exceed what the BBFC considers acceptable in the 18 category. In practice, this means hardcore pornography.

Television content rating systems are systems for evaluating the content and reporting the suitability of television programmes for minors. Many countries have their own television rating system and countries' rating processes vary by local priorities. Programmes are rated by the organization that manages the system, the broadcaster, or the content producers.

The Ontario Film Review Board is an inactive agency of the government of the Canadian province of Ontario that was formerly responsible for that province's motion picture rating system. Until 2015, the board reported to the Minister of Consumer Services but as of 1 October 2015, the board was overseen by the Ontario Film Authority. The board's activities were based on the Film Classification Act, 2005.

Definitions and restrictions on pornography vary across jurisdictions. The production, distribution, and possession of pornographic films, photographs, and similar material are activities that are legal in many but not all countries, providing that any specific people featured in the material have consented to being included and are above a certain age. Various other restrictions often apply as well. The minimum age requirement for performers is most typically 18 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">18 (British Board of Film Classification)</span> Given to films with content deemed suitable only for adults

The 18 certificate is issued by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), to state that in its opinion, a film, video recording, or game is suitable only for persons aged 18 years and over. It recommends that no one below that age should be admitted to view a film with an 18 certificate in a cinema, and that 18-rated video recordings should not be sold or rented to anyone below that age.

<i>Henry & June</i> 1990 film by Philip Kaufman

Henry & June is a 1990 American biographical drama film directed by Philip Kaufman, and starring Fred Ward, Uma Thurman, and Maria de Medeiros. It is loosely based on the posthumously published 1986 Anaïs Nin book of the same name, and tells the story of Nin's relationship with Henry Miller and his wife, June.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Film censorship</span> Films that are banned in a particular country

Film censorship is the censorship of motion pictures, either through the excising of certain frames or scenes, or outright banning of films in their entirety. Film censorship typically occurs as a result of political or moral objections to a film's content; controversial content subject to censorship include the depiction of graphic violence, sexual situations, or racial themes. Censorship standards vary widely by country, and can vary within an individual country over time.

Motion picture ratings in Canada are mostly a provincial responsibility, and each province has its own legislation regarding exhibition and admission. For home video purposes, a single Canadian Home Video Rating System rating consisting of an average of the participating provincial ratings is displayed on retail packages, although various provinces may have rules on display and sale, especially for the R and A categories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Régie du cinéma (Quebec)</span> Former film classification agency in Canada

The Régie du cinéma was a provincial film classification organization responsible for the motion picture rating system within the Canadian province of Quebec. Existing in several guises since the start of the 20th century, the organization came into being in its final form as a department of the Government of Quebec's Ministry of Culture and Communications (MCC) on 23 June 1983. Its roles were merged and fully integrated into the MCC on 1 April 2017. Its mandate was to classify and approve films for distribution to Quebec's movie theatres and home video outlets. Its purview devolved from the Cinema Act. As of 2010, the organization had a net income of 7 million dollars and had accumulated more than 85 million dollars in cash in their bank account.

New French Extremity describes a range of French transgressive films made at the turn of the 21st century that sparked controversy, and provoked significant debate and discussion. They were notable for including graphic images of violence, especially sexual violence and rape, as well as explicit sexual imagery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Board of Film Classification</span> British film classification organisation

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is a non-governmental organisation founded by the British film industry in 1912 and responsible for the national classification and censorship of films exhibited at cinemas and video works released on physical media within the United Kingdom. It has a statutory requirement to classify all video works released on VHS, DVD, Blu-ray, and, to a lesser extent, some video games under the Video Recordings Act 1984. The BBFC was also the designated regulator for the UK age-verification scheme, which was abandoned before being implemented.

The Australian Classification Board is an Australian government statutory body responsible for the classification and censorship of films, television programmes, video games and publications for exhibition, sale or hire in Australia.

The Australian Classification Review Board is a statutory censorship and classification body overseen by the Australian Government. The corporate body is responsible for reviewing classification decisions made by the Australian Classification Board concerning films, video games and publications for exhibition, sale or hire in Australia. Review decisions need to be initiated by an appeal from a previous applicant, most commonly referred to as "aggrieved party", or a Federal or State Attorney-General.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Finnish Board of Film Classification</span>

The Finnish Board of Film Classification was an official institution of the Finnish Ministry of Education. From 1946 until the end of year 2011, the VET/SFB was responsible for inspecting and rating the content of movies and video games. In the beginning of 2012, the VET/SFB was dissolved and its functions were transferred to the Finnish Centre for Media Education and Audiovisual Media, likewise operating under the Ministry of Education.

Pornography in France is legal with restrictions. Softcore pornography is restricted to people 16 and over, and hardcore pornography is not allowed to be sold to minors under 18. Violent or graphic pornography rated X and so are not allowed for display to minors, and are shown in specific theatres. Some pornography has a special VAT: a 33% tax is levied on X-rated movies, and a 50% excise is placed on pornographic online services.

References

  1. ↑ "What are the ratings?". Australian Classification. Archived from the original on 21 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  2. ↑ "Film classification | CNC". www.cnc.fr. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  3. ↑ Davies, Adam P.; Wistreich, Nicol (2007). The Film Finance Handbook: How to Fund Your Film. Netribution. p. 211. ISBN   978-0-9550143-2-1.
  4. ↑ darkness-fanzine.over-blog.com. "Le Parlement abroge les dispositions fiscales votées en 1975 pour les films à caractère pornographique ou d'incitation à la violence". CENSURE & CINEMA (in French). Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  5. ↑ Le Roy, Marc (December 18, 2020). "Majorité et opposition en plein consensus pour supprimer une partie de la fiscalité confiscatoire appliquée à la pornographie". www.droitducinema.fr. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  6. ↑ "Le Beverley, le dernier cinéma pornographique de Paris, baisse le rideau". Le Figaro (in French). 2019-02-21. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  7. ↑ "The last porn cinema in Paris, Le Beverley, comes to an end". SBS Language. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  8. ↑ darkness-fanzine.over-blog.com. "Le dernier cinéma porno de France fermera ses portes le 31 décembre 2017. Est-ce la fin du classement pornographique au cinéma ?". CENSURE & CINEMA (in French). Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  9. ↑ Sharkey, Alix (2002-04-14). "Scandale!". The Observer. ISSN   0029-7712 . Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  10. ↑ "French judges overrule censors". The Guardian. 2000-07-05. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  11. ↑ "« Baise-moi », le film de Virginie Despentes et Coralie Trinh Thi classé X par le Conseil d'Etat" (in French). 2000-07-02. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  12. ↑ ""Baise-moi" : la mobilisation s'amplifie". Le Nouvel Obs (in French). 2000-07-05. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  13. ↑ "Le cinéma menacé par l'autocensure des réalisateurs" (in French). 2010-04-18. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  14. ↑ "Histoires de Sexe(s) d'Ovidie et Jack Tyler ixifié pour pornographie !" (in French). Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  15. ↑ "Wheare Report, The (1950)". Screenonline. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  16. ↑ "Jules and Jim". British Board of Film Classification. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
  17. ↑ Case Study:Battleship Potemkin Archived March 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  18. ↑ "Backstory RoboCop AMC". YouTube. Archived from the original on July 18, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2010.
  19. ↑ Rotslter, William. Contemporary Erotic Cinema. New York: Penthouse/Ballantine Books, 1973. page 251.
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