The NC-17 rating, of course, is a compromise to avoid serious films being given the 'X' rating associated with pornography possessing no artistic value. But having any rating system at all means that filmmakers who want their films to reach a wide audience, and need a wide audience to pay back their backers may feel pressured to compromise their artistic integrity for the sake of getting a more desirable rating, because R-rated films can draw in more movie goers.
The subjective nature of film ratings even under the MPAA is evident when one considers that certain things we take for granted, like nudity, for example, were originally prohibited by the Hayes Commission. Foreign films from nations with different sexual standards, documentaries about important subjects, and other films that contain taboo topics can be effectively censored by being given a NC-17 rating, while violent, major Hollywood blockbusters with little artistic pretentions receive more desirably R-ratings, simply because they do not contain certain hot-button scenes and issues.
Two filmmaking techniques are used to convey the ideological point-of-view of "This Film is Not Yet Rated." One is the common format of many film documentaries, involving interviews with filmmakers and directors and clips from banned and formerly banned films. However, there is also an intriguing 'whodunit' plot. The reviewers used to determine the ratings of the MPAA are supposedly ordinary, anonymous people 'like you and me.' They are supposed to represent America, so their occupations and profiles comprise a variety of perspectives. However, these individuals who wield such influence are unknown. They should be known, according to the film's director, and so he goes on a fact-finding mission. To find out who serves on the ratings board and what criteria by the MPAA is used the director hired and filmed private detectives to track the
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now