Which Way’s Up?

Last night before bed I was flipping through the channels and came across the Independent Film Channel, a favorite of mine for that last ditch effort to find something worthwhile to watch before I go to sleep. What I found was a really intriguing look at the MPAA, specifically the “voluntary” ratings system they impose on film makers.  Here’s the first 8 minutes:

The MPAA makes a lot of hay about their ratings system being voluntary, but in reality a film that isn’t rated is not allowed to show trailers on TV, will not be picked up by a major studio, and sees its marketing budget nearly disappear. Just as bad is the NC-17 rating. If a film gets stamped with this it will not get major theater distribution or video distribution in Wal-Mart or Blockbuster. Think about it when was the last time you saw an NC-17 film playing at the movie theater?

The charges levied against the MPAA (and pretty well substantiated) are:

1. They are of the studios, by the studios, and for the studios.
2. They are the only ratings board system in the world, in which the membership in the board is a secret, supposedly to keep them free from influence.
3. They are a censorship board, because an MPAA rating is the difference between having a film released and having it shelved.  An NC-17 is nearly impossible to overcome financially.
4. Independent Films are treated differently than studio pictures.
5. Sex is rated more strictly than violence.  

The first one is clear.  Just go look up the MPAA.  It is an organization that represents the 7 biggest studios in Hollywood that collectively control 95 percent of American Film Making.  

The second charge they have some “expert” tell us is true.  A cursory examination of ratings boards around the world, finds that most of them are government run.  And a first amendment attorney in the film, says this would be preferable to the current system, as at least someone would be accountable for the rating.  In the current system a film maker does not know who is judging the film, and upon appeal can not ask who the members of the appeal board are.  

Third goes hand in hand with the first.  They control distribution, they control which movie gets out and which one doesn’t.

Fourth is supported with anecdotal evidence from Matt Stone, that his independent film, Orgazmo, was given an NC-17 with the explanation being, that the general theme of the movie was “too adult.”  Nothing specific was mentioned to cut, because that would make the MPAA a censorship board.  Later, with South Park, a studio film, the MPAA gave precise guidelines of what to cut to make it an R rated movie.

Anyways, good documentary go check it out.  It’ll show you how the movie studios censor all American Films, and promote their interests while supposedly promoting the interest of “parents.”

Which Way's Up? On TV last night Movie Ratings, MPAA, TV last night