Remember your first rated “R” movie? Think back to the thrill
you felt when you were finally able to watch any movie without your parents or
a chaperone--awesome, right? In the US, you must be 17 to go to an “R” rated
movie alone. Typically, movies with an “R” rating contain sexual situations,
graphic violence, and harsh language. But did you know certain countries censor
violent scenes more than scenes of a risque nature? In the US, the MPAA rates
our movies.
The Motion Picture Association, working with the Classification
and Rating Administration, decides on a rating for a movie before it comes out
in theaters. Our ratings system is well known: G (General Audiences), PG
(Parental Guidance Suggested), PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned), R
(Restricted) and NC-17 (No one under 17 admitted). Video games are also given similar labels. In
other countries, the ratings systems are quite different, and some countries
let the government decide how to classify films. Here is a look at the way a
few other countries rate their movies.
Venezuela - In
Venezuela, movies are rated from A-F. F is considered “unrated” and thus fine
for families with children of all ages. A-E are classified by age groups ( 2,
7, 12, 15, and 18, respectively). Basically, if you try to go to a “D” rated
movie, you must be 15 years or older, while an “E” movie requires you be 18 or
older.
Turks and Caicos Islands-
This British colony first instituted a ratings system in 1934--and that system
hasn’t been changed since! The ratings are classified by age, but they include
categories such as “16 with Privilege” meaning a 16 year old can see the movie
if they’re accompanied by an adult 18 or older. “U” (Universal) is the
equivalent of our “G” rating. Instead of PG, however, the Turks and Caicos Islands use “U W/C”
(Universal With Caution).
United Kingdom - The
rating system of our friends across the pond features a mix of numbers and
letters. Decided by the British Board of Film Classification, movies in the UK
can be rated U (Universal) or PG (Parental
Guidance, like in the States) or a combination of age numbers and labels. For
example, 12A means the movie is recommended for children over the age of 12.
Anyone under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult (thus the “A” added
to the number).
South Africa - The
Film and Publication Board decides the ratings for everything from movies to
video games in South Africa. Their ratings system is classified using a
combination of numbers and letters like in the UK. “A” is for all ages, while
“XX” films are not allowed to be shown in public. In between categories include
PG, which is the same as ours. 10-12 PG means no one under 10 is admitted, and
children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. X18 means no one under 18
may view the film and the movie is only allowed to be shown in adult
establishments.
Russia - Russia’s
movie rating system was also implemented for usage in television shows in 2012.
Out of the numerous countries researched for this post, Russia’s system was the
least complicated. The categories are based on general age ranges without the
specific suggestion of parental guidance. 0+ is considered all ages, and there
is also a “refused classification” which means the movie has been banned in the
country. The rest of the categories are 6+, 12+, 16+, and 18+. think of it as
“6 and over” and you’ll get the idea.
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