This Film is Not Yet Rated - Alec Charais
I was glad we were exposed to This Film is Not Yet Rated, as the subjectivity of the film rating system is not an issue I had given much though in the past. The insinuation that the process that the MPAA rating system surprises me little. Just look at many impurities within the current capitalist system of our country such as the corruptness regarding presidential elections and you will see that money is indeed, power.
Franklin discusses three forms of censorship-the market, industry, and government. While he points out the rationale of all three forms, I believe that market censorship is the most effective and reflective of our right for personal freedom. Franklin supports this position at the conclusion of his article when he states that “the market incentive is at work” (161). Yes, all three entities need to work together in order to have a system that works, yet in order for the free market to be effective the current MPAA system must be overhauled. Otherwise we are allowing the industry and government to interfere with our personal liberties, especially the right to free speech.
This Film is Not Yet Rated argues that industry censorship and government regulation hampers the creative process filmmakers have. The more rules created by government, the more expensive and bureaucratic it becomes to bring a product to market. This is true of any industry. The key is to create a system within the film industry that allows filmmakers a fair shot at having their product seen. Then, rather than allow a subjective rating system, allow for test screenings that are done by random sample audiences with the filmmaker present. This is the method most consumer products are tested under before release in the marketplace.
Some might argue that this would “water down” the film industry, but in the end, money is power. At least in this instance the consumer holds the key to keeping the film industry accountable by deciding whether or not they will view a film or not, rather than having to wait four years to cast their vote.