this film is not yet rated - Eric Nelson
No one in This Film is Not Yet Rated would agree with the statement that there are guidelines that are followed in rating movies, especially Kirby Dick. A large portion of the film was devoted to disproving this statement. Even those interviewed who were formerly on the ratings board, say that this is not the case and that things are kind of made up as they go. Many film makers who were interviewed also went against this statement by stating examples of things that other films, prior to their own films, got away with while their film did not pass with a similar scene.
The film, and those in it, does not agree to any form of censorship. However, they would be fonder of the ratings system if those on the board were known to the public.
Of course creative thought is allowed and subversive films can get made. However, getting them distributed is a whole other issue. Films that acquire an NC-17 rating cannot be distributed or advertised easily because no companies are willing to show those films or advertise them. The MPAA considers sexual content much more subversive than violence. Therefore, a violent film is much more likely to receive an R rating then a film with sexual content, which would most likely end up branded with a NC-17 rating.
Precedent is what makes America, America. To take that away is like taking away everything the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution stand for. It is un-American not to allow precedent and therefore is anything, but genius.
Movie ratings basically control the information we receive and understanding of that information. It can be twisted and manipulated into whatever those rating the films want the American public to know or understand about anything.