The BBFC and UK Law:
The BBFC uses UK laws to create its film guidelines. Several
Acts have been produced in order to minimise any abuse or concern caused by the
film industry.
The Video Recording Act requires all ‘video works’ (i.e.
films, TV programmes, video games, etc) which is able to be stored or supplied
on any kind of disc, tape or other electronic device capable of storing data to
be classified by the BBFC.
The Human Rights Act (1998) establishes the right to freedom
of expression. The BBFC must understand the impact of its decisions on the
rights of any person involved. However the Act allows some restrictions on
freedom of expression according to what the law states and to what is necessary
in a democratic society, these include the prevention of disorder or crime and
the protection of health and morals.
The Obscene Publications Act (1959 & 1964) states it is
illegal to publish any work that is seen as obscene in being influential to
corrupt the audience, seen as morally bad. But no offence is comiited if the
publication is justified as being good for the public on the grounds of
science, art, literature, learning or other general concerns.
The Public Order Act (1986) decrees that it is illegal to
distribute, show or play a recording of visual images or sounds that are seen
as threatening, abusive or insulting if it is intended to stir up racial
hatred, hatred towards sexual orientation or religious hatred.
The Cinematograph Films
(Animals) Act 1937 and The Animal Welfare Act 2006 establishes that it is
illegal to show any scene for the purposes of film, actual cruelty towards
animals. It is illegal to supply, publish, show or possess, with intent to
supply, a video recording of an ‘animal fight’ that has taken place within
Great Britain since 6 April 2007.
(Information provided by The BBFC - http://www.bbfc.co.uk/classification/the-bbfc-uk-law/,
http://www.bbfc.co.uk/download/guidelines/BBFC%20Classification%20Guidelines%202009.pdf
)
Has knowing what the regulations are in relation to film helped you?
ReplyDeleteYes, because the regulation of The Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act applies to my film as an animal will be included in it. Even though I had planned so that no harm would come to the animal and that I would not be showing/portraying any kind of cruelty to animals I still think that by reading this it has made me more aware on how important it is to keep animals safe if being used for filming purposes.
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