Thomas Campbell - This Film is Not Yet Rated
The film “This Film is Not Yet Rated� explains many of the problems and issues brought up by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) film ratings system. I was shocked to see how much control the MPAA has over movies. The MPAA provides the ratings to films before they are screened in cinemas. Many interviewed in the film have a variety of opinions that disagree with the rating system. It was clear throughout the film that there is not a very strict guideline to rate certain films. Hodgson explains, “there is no indication whether an R rating is for sex, violence or language, and no indication why a PG (parental guidance suggested) has been awarded.� It was clearly shown in the film that there is an inconsistency when it comes to rating sex and violence. The board seems to be more lenient on violence issues in films and more restrictive on sexual content. The film proves that there is a problem with this censorship. According to the MPAA Sex is more subversive. Couvares explains, “Determining what is legitimate to say and hear and see… is a central activity of all societies and social groups�. However today’s society has changed compared to forty years ago. The MPAA ratings definitions are not reflective on today’s society. Sex was frowned upon but today it is occurring at younger ages and is more acceptable. But why are ratings based on sex still very strict in America? America and the rest of the world are exposed to sex and violence but it seems in America the ratings are harsher towards sexual themes than violence, where the rest of the world it is the opposite.