Did the BBFC ban A Clockwork Orange? Why wasn’t The Exorcist available on video until 1999? What is the truth behind the classification of Straw Dogs? Why did the BBFC ban The Texas Chain Saw Massacre? The correct answers to these questions and many more can now be found on www.sbbfc.co.uk which goes live today.
sbbfc – Students’ BBFC is a website designed for media studies students and film fans of all ages and joins the highly successful cbbfc – Children’s BBFC which caters for primary school children. cbbfc averages over 90,000 hits a month from around the world (not all of them from children!) and the new website is expected to more than match that level of interest. The BBFC is the only media regulator in the world to have websites specifically designed for children and students. The websites form an important and integral part of the Board’s media literacy commitment.
As well as containing information about the day to day workings of the BBFC, sbbfc includes case studies about specific films (including the ones in the introduction); sets classification decisions in their historic context; explains the legal framework within which the BBFC works; and will provide teachers and students with material for use in media studies courses.
David Cooke, Director of the BBFC said:
“cbbfc proved so popular with children, parents and teachers alike that we knew we had to do a version for older students. sbbfc is clearly geared towards media studies students from secondary through to further education but I am sure that anyone interested in film will find the site interesting and informative. cbbfc was unique anywhere in the world, but happily that will not be the situation for long. We have talked to a number of the other film and media regulators across the world, including in Australia, Thailand and South Africa who want to take up cbbfc’s, and no doubt sbbfc’s, winning
“The BBFC remains committed to protecting children through our classifications. But, we are also playing our part in improving media literacy. Our examiners regularly visit educational institutions from primary schools through to universities to talk about media regulation and the work of the BBFC. The two websites form an integral part of that work. Last year the BBFC appointed an Education Officer to coordinate the Board’s educational activities and maintain the two websites to make sure they are up to date and interesting for a very demanding audience. The young people of today are the parents of tomorrow and helping them to inform themselves about the medium of film will ensure that future generations can make informed choices about what they and their children choose to watch.”
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