A report on what issues are frowned on in films across Europe.
I know that the film classification is intended primarily for cinema - it is absolutely unenforcable in the home. Nevertheless, it's an interesting guideline. I'm not sure of those comments that seem to have crept in recently - contains 'mild peril' or'cartoon violence'. As for 'bad language', that does that mean regional/lower class colloqualisms, or does it mean swearing?
Opera DVDS are, generally, Exempt from classification, except, it seems, in Germany, where most are not suitable for children under 6. Hardly surprising, with all those violent stabbings and strangulations. La Fanciulla del West contains some, I assume unintentional, farce, as Ramirez/Dick Johnson slumps in a coma bleeding profusely from a bullet wound in the stomach as Minnie and Rance play poker to determine whether he lives or dies. And sing a couple of arias without thought of even elementary First Aid. In the Final Act, he stands for an inordinate length of time on the gallows with a noose round his neck as the assembled masses sing about how wonderful Minnie is.
Lohengrin, which contains only one, not especially lingering, death, no blood and no swearing, not to mention no evidence of American imperialism, is not suitable for children under 12 in Germany.
My DVD of Carmen is a cinematic film, which has a PG certificate, presumably because of the graphic bullfight scenes.
Comments