Revised film rating system
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SINGAPORE : Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" will be the first movie here to be screened under the new Mature-18 film category when it comes into effect next Monday.
This comes as part of the Media Development Authority's (MDA) revised film rating system.
Critically acclaimed films like American Beauty will no longer be restricted to viewers 21 years and above with the new Mature-18 (M-18 ) category.
Both cinemagoers and the film industry welcomed the news.
"I am going to go to NS soon so I think I'll be matured enough to view such films," said one movie fan.
Kenneth Tan, Managing Director, Golden Village, said: "I think that anything that results in an increased repertoire of films being able to be shown and anything that increases our audience base potentially means greater returns and greater profits for the cinema."
But the floodgates will not be opened.
M-18 movies must be quality films with good acting, scripting, production values and artistic integrity.
Fitting the bill is "The Passion of the Christ" which will be shown in cinemas next week.
Under the old film rating system, this film would surely have been classified R(A), accessible only to those 21 years and above.
That is because of the violent scenes showing the whipping and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
But as the scenes are considered integral, the film will go uncut and be classified M-18.
The film was also approved only after consultation with religious leaders.
M-18 films can also be screened in the heartlands. But response to this has been mixed.
"Whether it screens in HDB (neighbourhoods) or Orchard Road, I don't think it matters at all. Now tapes and blue films are easily available, it's beyond adults' control," said one moviegoer.
One teenager pointed out: "Youngsters are more likely to hang out (in town) than in HDB estates."
R(A) films, now known as R-21, will continue to be restricted to cinemas outside HDB estates.
Another first - consumer advisory will be made mandatory for all films rated NC-16, M-18 or R-21.
"Apart from ratings, we would like the public to make an informed choice. There are some adults who would not like to see graphic violence or horror," said Amy Chua, Director, Media Content Division, MDA.
But as the rules relax for adults, the censors will be stricter on films for younger viewers.
Those with violent scenes and coarse language will be classified NC-16, instead of just requiring parental guidance. - CNA -
Confucius said: "To worship to other than one's own ancestral spirits is brown-nosing. If you see what is right and fail to act on it, you lack courage."
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R(A) Shows... age limit 21
In singapore, 18 yrs old can learn to use rifle but cannot wath R(A)... -
Dunno why got so many restriction. NC16 M18 & R(a).
Just simply set a standard Above 21, rather then simi 16/18/21 age limits and still must cut the films -_-" Seems pointless to me. -
becos even tho they can hold rifles, they always misfire??? kekekekekekekekeOriginally posted by kopiosatu:R(A) Shows... age limit 21
In singapore, 18 yrs old can learn to use rifle but cannot wath R(A)...
*just kidding* -
garmen want them to cock real rifle...Originally posted by KittynMeow:becos even tho they can hold rifles, they always misfire??? kekekekekekekeke
*just kidding*
need to save sperm for the population
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Its precisely because previous ratings where there is only one R(A) rating for above 21 are inadequate. When there was only one rating, movie distribution houses, in order to cater to the larger mass audience, mercilessly snipped scenes to fit the film into a PG rating, and reducing good films to mere trash.Originally posted by bjork:Dunno why got so many restriction. NC16 M18 & R(a).
Just simply set a standard Above 21, rather then simi 16/18/21 age limits and still must cut the films -_-" Seems pointless to me. -
like this, singaporean will neber get to see real artistic films.......
even R(A) oso can kena cut here cut there........then wats the point of all these ratings? -
yar.. but wats the point having ratings & the film still get cut... its really dumb.Originally posted by KittynMeow:Its precisely because previous ratings where there is only one R(A) rating for above 21 are inadequate. When there was only one rating, movie distribution houses, in order to cater to the larger mass audience, mercilessly snipped scenes to fit the film into a PG rating, and reducing good films to mere trash.
If its suitable for 21s why aint it suitable for 18s.
& the NC-16?
For film where there is major violence/sexual parts in the film. If thats so simply rate it M 18 & get rid or NC 16 la..
Even movies we are to follow rules.. Next time even shows will be banned or restricted. 
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I think so tOo.. really a waste when a great show get cuts here & there in the end no head no tail one.Originally posted by FireIce:like this, singaporean will neber get to see real artistic films.......
even R(A) oso can kena cut here cut there........then wats the point of all these ratings? -
The age limit exists cos people typically associate maturity with age. It also has to do with the long-debated (and still being debated) issue of the effects of violence and sex in the media on children and youth.... whatever claims such theories as Third Person Effect etc may have, society still feels the obligation to protect the younger ones....Originally posted by bjork:yar.. but wats the point having ratings & the film still get cut... its really dumb.
If its suitable for 21s why aint it suitable for 18s.
& the NC-16? For film where there is major violence/sexual parts in the film. If thats so simply rate it M 18 & get rid or NC 16 la..
Even movies we are to follow rules.. Next time even shows will be banned or restricted.
actually I'm quite thankful they have the new rating system... at least when I'm watching The Passion, I'm relieved they have not subject the film to cuts becos they rated it at M18 instead of NC 16 for mass market.
Why the need for NC16?? think it serves more like our usual PG rating.... *shrug*
And as for having ratings and films still get cut, the reason is becos film distributors find it ridiculous to lose millions of dollars when the only thing objectionable was a 5-sec fame e.g. a suggestive sex scene. And because of this single frame in the film, they have only two choices: either cut the frame so that they qualify for PG rating for the mass market, or keep the frame and lose millions of movie box office earnings. That was one of the reasons films like Chicago and Love Actually got cut... because they wanted the mass audience to see it. And those are not rated R(A). For most films that had the R(A) rating, dun think there were any cuts to the film... else those torrid Yangtze cinema b-graders wun have made it....
as for your last statement, well, I'd say things are slightly better now than years ago before the R(A) ratings come into effect... hehehe.. now that's what I call a constipated society... kekeke
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heheee. so i think the main reasons is $$$.Originally posted by KittynMeow:actually I'm quite thankful they have the new rating system... at least when I'm watching The Passion, I'm relieved they have not subject the film to cuts becos they rated it at M18 instead of NC 16 for mass market.
Why the need for NC16?? think it serves more like our usual PG rating.... *shrug*
And as for having ratings and films still get cut, the reason is becos film distributors find it ridiculous to lose millions of dollars when the only thing objectionable was a 5-sec fame e.g. a suggestive sex scene. And because of this single frame in the film, they have only two choices: either cut the frame so that they qualify for PG rating for the mass market, or keep the frame and lose millions of movie box office earnings. That was one of the reasons films like Chicago and Love Actually got cut... because they wanted the mass audience to see it. And those are not rated R(A). For most films that had the R(A) rating, dun think there were any cuts to the film... else those torrid Yangtze cinema b-graders wun have made it.... -
exactly... cos most of the time, the Board of Censors wun bother to sit there and look at what scenes to cut. They'll go through the film and tell the distributors what the ratings should be. The distributors then decide whether they want to go ahead for a smaller market or engage their own guys to edit the film and submit for ratings again.Originally posted by bjork:heheee. so i think the main reasons is $$$.
It all boils down to how much profits they can make.
No media will communicate, broadcast or print for an altruistic reason of informing the public or entertaining or transmitting culture. It's all a business. -
no censor system can please everyone. it's just a guideline to the public which films maybe not be suitable viewing. of course, 'suitability' is subjective.
one can control the handling of weapons, but that doesn't mean they the mentality to control their minds and action.
like kitty mentioned, previous schemes were to generalised.. and it worked against the cinema operators in terms on viewership.. hence, the 'streamlining'.. also, i think it's a propaganda again to signal the world that we're progressing as a 'open society'
anyway, no point grumbling lah.. wait till over 21 can watch whatever you want
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agree abt the propaganda bit... but i rather have this propaganda and therefore gain a teeny weeny bit of leeway here and there than go back to the totalitarianistic authoritative situation before such things started....Originally posted by sillyme:no censor system can please everyone. it's just a guideline to the public which films maybe not be suitable viewing. of course, 'suitability' is subjective.
one can control the handling of weapons, but that doesn't mean they the mentality to control their minds and action.
like kitty mentioned, previous schemes were to generalised.. and it worked against the cinema operators in terms on viewership.. hence, the 'streamlining'.. also, i think it's a propaganda again to signal the world that we're progressing as a 'open society'
anyway, no point grumbling lah.. wait till over 21 can watch whatever you want -
The govt is trying to brainwash young voters and make them feel that the govt is not so restrictive after all. Not a bad plan, quite cunning i must say.
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actually they dun have to.... becos who else are the voters going to vote when they lump all single constituencies into GRCs in which only PAP has the manpower to field candidates for??Originally posted by cooleo:The govt is trying to brainwash young voters and make them feel that the govt is not so restrictive after all. Not a bad plan, quite cunning i must say.
and how many young voters need to vote anyway? Singaporeans like to complain abt govt being restrictive, trying to con them etc.... but seriously, how many voters are willing to take to the streets for something they believe in and is against the govt.?? -
by the way... anyone going for the Singapore International Film Festival???
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they re-showing mee pok man?Originally posted by KittynMeow:by the way... anyone going for the Singapore International Film Festival???
i missed tt one a few times.......
this time i would catch it if i can squeeze time (and money) out -
don't think got mee-pok man..
but lotsa film to choose from.. -
Check out the list on the website:
http://www.filmfest.org.sg/
and they are bringing back the old shaw brothers studio oldies... including the machiam like soft-porn Golden Lotus etc... -
tamazde
kena tua.......i saw the gai siao in dunno which magazine and they got poster of mee pok man! -
in the passion of christ, if they snip off the crucifixion and the flogging, there is realli nothing left to watch in the movie, coz its those parts that are the most emotion-stirring. i even flinched when i watch e nail go thru his hand......
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Does Gov still want to control adult more than 40 years old ?
Where is the Singapore human right ?