Abolish the film censors office

Nick Guats

I dont understand why in this day in age are we spending millions of euro on a film censors office to age cert films when any child can watch any movie on their phone. An 8 year could watch i spit on your grave on youtube right now if they wanted.

faceman

We don't have a film censor office in Ireland. We do have a film classification office though.

IFCO have a place in Ireland although I would like to see them reach a level similar to BBFC in terms of information provided.

Nick Guats

faceman wrote: »

We don't have a film censor office in Ireland. We do have a film classification office though.

IFCO have a place in Ireland although I would like to see them reach a level similar to BBFC in terms of information provided.

What is the point to them when kids can get any content they want online?

faceman

Nick Guats wrote: »

What is the point to them when kids can get any content they want online?

They review all film/DVD/video that are due for distribution in Ireland. Nowadays they provide guidance to parents on the suitability of material for viewing by minors but they also ensure material is fit for viewing by the general public

The reason why I believe BBFC to be ahead of the curve is because BBFC provide greater detail on parental guidance.

Cookie_Monster

they also ensure material is fit for viewing by the general public

who are they to decide that?

I don't see a place for them anymore tbh, why should waste money on such an office, just copy the UK ratings, people are still inform as to gerneal content and it would cost us next to nothing.

Bullseye1

It's a guide for parents on what is and is not suitable for children of a certain age. It's a useful tool in that regard. What I don't agree with is censorship of films directed towards and adult audience. I can think of better ways of saving a few million a year to be honest.

thebman

Why not just do this at a UK/Ireland level to save costs since we have similar cultural attitude towards these things?

It was posted a few years ago who was on this and it is just another place for politicians to retire but keep getting a wage as far as I can remember.

I think it is unnecessary to have a government body do this when it could be self-regulated like the ESRB do in the US AFAIK.

ArmaniJeanss

Nick Guats wrote: »

I dont understand why in this day in age are we spending millions of euro on a film censors office to age cert films when any child can watch any movie on their phone. An 8 year could watch i spit on your grave on youtube right now if they wanted.

Seriously? I'd have thought most 8 year olds don't have a mobile and also would be parental controlled on their internet usage. Just because some parents may be remiss about this is no compelling reason to abandon the idea of age certifying.

Personally I find it handy when bringing the nieces and nephews to a film. Otherwise I'd have to research every film to see if its PG or 18s. For example 'Alien' may look like a nice little sci-fi action movie to bring the 7-year-old lad to.

There is possibly a case to save money by using the UK licensing though, their culture, tolerance, moral outlook etc is very close to ours. Pay them a few quid to use their certificate.
Though we would still need a smaller staff here to cert films that get released in Ireland first.

faceman

thebman wrote: »

Why not just do this at a UK/Ireland level to save costs since we have similar cultural attitude towards these things?

It was posted a few years ago who was on this and it is just another place for politicians to retire but keep getting a wage as far as I can remember.

I think it is unnecessary to have a government body do this when it could be self-regulated like the ESRB do in the US AFAIK.

Well that would depend, are you happy to hand over the legislation on film classification and censorship to the UK government.

Also, the BBFC often rate films differently to how we do. For some reason, a film has alot of foul language the BBFC rates it higher. Michael Collins had a higher rating in the UK than it did in Ireland.

Each country's classification office obviously takes into consideration (or should!) a nation's moral coil and acceptable cultural norms when classifying films.

As for IFCO costing "millions", it doesnt. Its an office of 14 staff.
worth checking out this page on their website:

http://www.ifco.ie/ifco/ifcoweb.nsf/web/faqs?opendocument&faqs=yes&type=graphic

mike65

Goodness me how the Irish will quickly give up on the hopes and wishes of those who died for freedom if there might be a few bob to save, btw the film distributors pay the Classification office to be classified so the office is self financing.

Suryavarman

mike65 wrote: »

Goodness me how the Irish will quickly give up on the hopes and wishes of those who died for freedom if there might be a few bob to save, btw the film distributors pay the Classification office to be classified so the office is self financing.

People fought and died for Ireland to have a film classification office?

Kinski

Suryavarman wrote: »

People fought and died for Ireland to have a film classification office?

Looking at the history of censorship in this country, one could be forgiven for thinking that people "fought and died" so an independent Irish state could ban stuff...:pac:

Kinski

Interestingly, video games are also age-rated, but by various different bodies. Some games carry the pan-European PEGI rating, others BBFC ratings. I've never seen a video game with an IFCO rating, but they did ban the game Manhunt 2 a few years back.