Quote:
Originally Posted by Nosferatu@Cult Labs  I believe it is up to a group of senior examiners, rather than one individual, to watch and evaluate each film. As there is a turnover in staff, guidelines (and their interpretation) will undoubtedly change. In my opinion, this is preferable to having something set in stone and not at all adaptable as time progresses and society's attitude towards language, violence, nudity and sex changes. |
3 examiners at a time, which if they don't agree goes to the top man for a decision. His word, as in the case of Ferman, is the final judgement, no appeal, no argument, no rational debate. His morals and standards are forced onto us if we agree or not. One man. And if that one man happens to be an egotistical maniac, just like Ferman, we have no recourse.
The guidelines (which do not exist by the way, try and find them, I wrote to the BBFC years ago asking for them and was told it is the examiners discretion utilizing their years of experience and MORAL opinion that forms them!) and laws have not changed one bit over the last ten years so a film like Cannibal Holocaust was totally banned due to these laws and guidelines. THEN WITH NO CHANGE IN THE LAW OR GUIDELINES whatsoever it is deemed acceptable. How can that be? Nothing has changed. We still use the same laws today as we did back then.
Either the BBFC were vastly overstepping their authority ten years ago or are totally disregarding it now. They are opposites where there has been no change, they cannot be compatible, it is impossible.
Also the AHS suicide. What guideline or law states suicide can be shown uncut on TV but cut for DVD. There is none - because they decide on their own moral stance on the subject.
At least if we had set down laws about exactly what was acceptable or not we wouldn't be debating now, it would be clear and precise, not at the whim of an examiner who believes this film is a work of art and directed by a renowned director so should be let through uncut but this other one is a cheap exploitation flick therefore has no merit in the examiners eyes and should be cut or banned. Elitism at its finest based on personal opinion. Our censorship body!