Censor softens on showing cannabis in films

BBFC survey finds viewers relaxed about marajuana, but more concerned by sex and violence on screen

‘The public told us there is a greater tolerance of dope... a lessening of anxiety around weed’

‘Since we last asked people what they thought about our standards, society has changed’

CANNABIS smoking in films can be shown to children aged 12 amid a “softening” in public attitudes towards the drug, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has declared.

The latest research by the BBFC suggested audiences have become more relaxed about depictions of cannabis use and solvent misuse than before. It said it would therefore take a less restrictive approach to such content following the findings. However, viewers have become increasingly concerned with violence, sex and nudity, meaning films containing these themes may be classified with a higher rating in future.

The insights emerged after the BBFC carried out its first major audience research since 2019 to find out how attitudes have changed towards sex, violence, drug use bad language on screen.

Natasha Kaplinsky, BBFC president, told BBC Radio 4: “The public have told us that there is an easing, there is a greater tolerance of dope. There is a slight lessening of anxiety around dope and weed and solvency abuse in the younger categories as well.”

Ms Kaplinsky said the new Bob Marley One Love film would have been given a 15 rating under the past guidelines, but because of the insights the BBFC gave it a 12A classification.

The BBFC said viewers have become more concerned with on-screen sex and nudity which can be seen by people under 15 years old. Sex scenes that were previously acceptable in films with a 12 or 12A rating are now more likely to be rated 15 under new guidelines.

One example is the 2018 film Vita and Virginia, the story about the relationship between Vita Sackville-west and Virginia Woolf, which contains nudity and sex scenes that audiences felt was too strong for a 12 rating.

The BBFC said viewers want “a more cautious approach” to sex scenes that are categorised 12/12A and 15. A 12 rating means someone must be over 12 to watch the film, and a 12A means under12s can go if accompanied by an adult.

The current guidelines state that sexual activity “may be briefly and discreetly portrayed”, while nudity in a sexual context “must be brief and discreet” in films of such ratings.

In a 15-rated film sexual activity can be shown “but usually without strong detail”, and sexual nudity is permitted “but strong detail is likely to be brief or presented in a comic context”. The research found audiences were happy for more lenient classifications towards sex references at the border of ages 15 and 18, especially in comic contexts. Since the last BBFC survey in 2019, sexual violence remains the biggest area of concern for UK audiences.

Following the new research, films such as the James Bond classic From Russia With Love will likely receive a higher 12A classification because of violent scenes which include Bond stabbing and strangling an attacker.

Bumblebee, the 2018 science-action film, would also be moved from a PG rating to 12A because of violent scenes, with viewers particularly concerned by a two-minute scene in which explosives are fired and knives drawn by robots.

Ms Kaplinsky said the concern about violence “was the main finding”. But depiction of suicide and self-harm have risen to the second biggest area of concern. The BBFC said respondents wanted to be warned ahead of being exposed to such content in its advice.

The survey suggested parents are also concerned about the normalisation of bad language, especially terms with sexual or misogynistic connotations.

Ms Kaplinsky said: “At the BBFC, we’re dedicated to ensuring what we do is responsive to the ever-evolving world around us. Since we last asked people across the country what they thought about our standards, society has changed, and opinions have followed it’s fascinating how this vast body of new research reflects this.”