SINGAPORE : In what is believed to be the first move of its kind, the Media Development Authority (MDA) has released its film classification guidelines to the public, ending years of speculation over how film content is evaluated.
The move has been welcomed by industry players - even as they say such openness was "long overdue".
The guidelines, published on MDA's website earlier this month, outline
the Board of Film Censors' (BFC) general principles and major content
concerns.
More significantly, details have also been released on how much nudity
and coarse language are allowed under a certain classification.
For example, a film for general viewing is not allowed to show any
sexual activity or make any sexual reference, and treatment of horror
content should be non-threatening.
An M18 film is allowed to have full frontal nudity with moderate
details, if justified by context. Prolonged and/or intense sequences
invoking fear are also allowed.
However, the MDA cautioned that the document "is not intended to
limit in any way the Board's exercise of functions under the Films
Act".
The BFC also reserves the right to "classify any film in such manner as it deems fit".
The document reveals six general principles the BFC considers in its work.
They include the evaluation of a film's impact, national interest and generally-accepted social mores.
Industry players have given the thumbs-up to the increased transparency.
Film-maker Martyn See said film-makers and producers can tailor their scripts to fit the ratings they desire.
"Seasoned local film-makers would not be too surprised at the
published guidelines. We have known it all along. But for the first
time, it is spelt out in black and white," he said.
Documentary film-maker Ho Choon Hiong felt the guidelines may spur
him to "be more hardworking" to ensure the terms he uses do not affect,
say, cultural sensitivities.
Playwright Tan Tarn How said releasing the guidelines made "eminent
sense" if the regulation is "aimed at informing people so they make
better choices", and this could encourage dialogue on societal
standards.
Meanwhile, two databases have also been put online for interested
parties to search the rating of an arts performance or film.
- TODAY/ms