We speak to Marianne Grant of the MPA about a new campaign to encourage respect for the value of creativity in the UK and increase awareness and use of the wide range of legal sources of content available.
Feb 02, 2016•14 min
In this episode we talk to BBFC Director David Cooke about the classification of the 2009 film, The Lovely Bones. Classified 12A in November 2009 and released in cinemas in February 2010, The Lovely Bones is a drama about a 14-year-old girl whose spirit inhabits a limbo between life and death from which she tells of her murder by a neighbour.
Jan 19, 2016•12 min
In this episode we discuss the classification history of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), which stars the late Gunnar Hansen (March 4, 1947 – November 7, 2015), well known for his role as Leatherface in the film.
Jan 05, 2016•11 min
In this episode of the podcast we mark the 60th anniversary of the UK release of Rebel Without A Cause (1955).
Dec 21, 2015•14 min
In this episode we discuss the classification history of Steven Spielberg's blockbuster film Jaws (1975).
Dec 08, 2015•13 min
In this episode we discuss classifying films that fall on the border of two classification categories, including A Little Chaos and Sin City 2: A Dame To Kill For. In future episodes we'll discuss other borderline films, including The Lovely Bones.
Nov 24, 2015•9 min
In this episode we discuss the classification history of the 1979 science fiction drama Alien.
Nov 11, 2015•14 min
Listen to the second installment of a two-part series about classifying science fiction films. In this episode we discuss Jurassic Park, Independence Day, Star Trek Into Darkness and Oblivion.
Oct 12, 2015•19 min
In this episode we discuss classifying sci-fi films, beginning with The War Of The Worlds (1953) and the Steven Spielberg adaptation, War Of The Worlds (2005).
Sep 29, 2015•12 min
In this episode we discuss the classification history of the 1967 film Bedazzled. The film was classified A for cinema release in 1967, which although not a restrictive rating (like the X, suitable for those over 16 only), the A certificate suggested the film was more suitable for adult audiences. When Bedazzled was submitted for video classification in 1988, it was classified PG. At this time there was no 12 classification, so the choice was between PG and 15, and the BBFC considered PG to be t...
Sep 18, 2015•11 min
In this episode we continue our discussion of classifying discrimination, this time looking at examples at the 15 and 18 age categories.
Sep 03, 2015•8 min
In this episode of the podcast we discuss classifying discrimination. Hear about how discrimination of different kinds is classified at the lower age ratings of U, PG and 12A/12.
Aug 19, 2015•11 min
In this episode we take a look back at the very first BBFC Annual Reports to find out how classification issues from 1913-1933 compare to the present day. Visit our website to view extracts from the historical BBFC Annual Reports discussed in this episode.
Aug 06, 2015•12 min
In this episode of the podcast, we open the BBFC archive to discuss the classification history for the film Django (1967). Directed by Sergio Corbucci, Django (1967) is an Italian (dubbed into English) spaghetti western. The film was refused a classification until 1993, when it was rated 18. Today Django (1967) is rated 15 for moderate, bloody violence. Listen to BBFC Head of Education Lucy Brett delve into the classification history of the film. You can read more about the film, including an Ex...
Jul 20, 2015•11 min
In this episode of the podcast, we discuss the classification of superhero films. We also speak to Liz Bales, Chief Executive of the British Video Association (BVA) about its role in the Home Entertainment industry.
Jun 08, 2015•31 min
In Episode 28 of the podcast we look at the second half of James Ferman's time as BBFC Director, from 1984-1999.
Apr 24, 2015•19 min
Episode 27 of the BBFC podcast looks at how comedy is classified, and how a comedic context, or humour, can sometimes act as a mitigating or aggravating factor for other classification issues in a film or video work. We also hear from BBFC Assistant Director David Austin, about new research into public demand for putting glamour imagery behind adult filters on mobile devices.
Mar 03, 2015•28 min
This episode of the podcast looks at the first half of James Ferman's career as Director of the BBFC, focusing on key classification decisions and events from 1975 to 1984. We'll examine the remainder of his time as Director in a future episode.
Jan 22, 2015•24 min
In this episode of the BBFC podcast we speak to Paul Reeve, CEO of Into Film about the Into Film festival for young people. We also hear more about the BBFC's education work and resources.
Nov 05, 2014•34 min
This episode is the second in our ongoing BBFC history series and takes a look at the short but tumultuous period of BBFC Secretary Stephen Murphy, from July 1971 until he resigned in 1975.
Oct 07, 2014•23 min
In this episode of the podcast we discuss how film classification works in other countries, as well as the BBFC's role in a pilot to age rate music videos online.
Aug 27, 2014•28 min
This episode of the podcast discusses what we mean by the term 'tone', in the Classification Guidelines, and how the overall tone of a work may affect its classification.
Jul 21, 2014•28 min
This episode of the podcast features the first in a series of interviews where we look back at BBFC Directors through history. It would be John Trevelyan’s 111th birthday on 11 July 2014, so with that milestone in mind, we’re going to kick off the series with a look at the 60s and 70s when John Trevelyan took the helm as Director of the BBFC.
Jun 09, 2014•20 min
In this episode of the BBFC podcast we discuss how the BBFC approaches classifying self harm and suicide. We speak to the Samaritans about their work to equip the media and the BBFC, with guidance about handling these issues on film and on TV and how this helps protect potentially vulnerable viewers.
Apr 25, 2014•28 min
In this episode of the BBFC podcast, we talk to David Austin, Assistant Director, BBFC and Hamish MacLeod, chair of the Mobile Broadband Group about how the BBFC Mobile Classification Framework works.
Mar 14, 2014•16 min
We interview BBFC Assistant Director, David Austin, about the new BBFC Classification Guidelines that come into force on 24 February and what the public told us during the Guidelines consultation carried out in 2013.
Jan 31, 2014•32 min
Due to the themes covered in this podcast, we do not recommend this episode to listeners under the age of 15. In our final podcast of 2013, we discuss classifying anime and interview BBFC Director David Cooke about key film classification decisions from 2013.
Dec 20, 2013•28 min
Episode 16 of the BBFC podcast looks at how the BBFC works with the film industry and industry organisations, including the Cinema Exhibitors' Association (CEA).
Nov 15, 2013•28 min
Focussing on protecting children, this episode of the BBFC podcast looks at recent research carried out by the IndustryTrust and the BBFC into age inappropriate piracy and how the new CBBFC website aims to help children learn about age ratings.
Sep 27, 2013•30 min
In this episode of the BBFC podcast James Blatch looks at recent releases and lesser known classification issues.
Aug 22, 2013•29 min