French film censors allow young children to watch sexually explicit movies that are only available to adults in the UK or America, according to new research.
Work carried out by the British Board of Film Classification shows that its French equivalent – the Centre Nationale de la Cinematographie (CNC) – has given its most lenient possible classification, ‘TP’, or ‘tous public’, to several highly erotic movies. One is called The Duke of Burgundy, and is about a sadomasochistic lesbian relationship. It was described as “filth” by one critic.
British censors handed this film an 18 certificate and in America it received the strongest possible ‘R’ rating, but in France it was deemed suitable for all ages.
The CNC was almost as relaxed about Lovelace, the biopic of porn actress Linda Lovelace, who claimed in her autobiography that she was beaten, raped and abused. The film was handed 18 and ‘R’ certificates from the UK and US watchdogs, but France’s CNC gave it a ‘TP!’ rating – its equivalent of a Parental Guidance film, meaning it is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.
The CNC was more rigid when it came to the Fifty Shades films, based on EL James’ books about a sadomasochistic relationship. The French thought the films – which show its star, Dakota Johnson, being bound and whipped – weren’t quite fit for family viewing but were acceptable for those aged 12 and over.
David Austin, Chief Executive of the British Board of Film Classification, which carried out the research, said: “We speak to around 10,000 people from across the UK every 4-5 years to ensure our standards are in line with UK public expectations. This does mean we sometimes rate films differently to other countries, France is a particularly good example.”
He added: “The French have a different approach to classification. It suits them well, but I would get into a lot of trouble if I started using the same classifications.”
