Controversial film: Case study

Case study on controversial film in the horror genre: Attack the block!!

Film information

• Attack The Block
• Director: Joe Cornish
• Status: 15 uncut
• Year: 2011

Genre: Comedy, Horror, Science Fiction

Summary 

 Attack The Block is a British horror movie directed by comedian Joe Cornish. It is set in a South London housing estate and follows a group of teen muggers, who form an unlikely alliance with a nurse they have robbed, when aliens attack their tower block.

The film was submitted to the BBFC with no category request in March 2011,and  it is clear from the characters, the tone of the work and the general address, that it had strong appeal to older teenage viewers. The film was not suitable for younger kids as it contains frequent strong language from the start, with over 50 uses of 'f**k' and some uses of 'motherf****r' throughout. Under current BBFC Guidelines, where only infrequent strong language is permitted at 12A, the work was automatically therefore a 15 category within the first reel.

There was a huge amount of violence, gore and threat in the film which was strong, with some scenes of bloody injury as human characters are bitten, scratched, attacked and killed. In some scenes it there’s exposure to allot of blood where it’s pumping from characters’ mouths. The strongest moments include a man seen in a lift full of bloodied bodies, himself dripping with blood; close up shots of injuries; and sight of a young adult’s face ripped up by aliens.

The film contains:
-Knives

-Mugging

-Guns and weapons

-Fireworks used as weapons

-Drug use

After discussion with senior examiners and the BBFC’s Director, David Cooke, that the work could be contained at 15, where the film’s appeal lies, and where it sits alongside other works which include reference to drugs and sight of drug use - not least as there are no clear elements that glamorise drug taking for younger audiences.The film was passed at 15 and the BBFC insight  explained to the public that it contained strong language, violence, gore and soft drug use. It was selected for National film school week  in 2011.

Why is the film controversial?
-This is because the film frequently used bad language containing frequent and strong language from the start, with over 50 uses of f**k and some uses of motherf****r throughout.Moreover, the use of weapons used in the film as the BBFC must take note of available weapons and particularly mindful about how these weapons are used especially in films aimed at children and those passed at U, PG and 12A. In my opinion i believe that the film is suitable for a classification of 15 as the film doesn't contain no sadistic violence and gore where the guidelines state "violence may be strong but should not dwell on infliction of pain or injury". This information was useful on taking into account when producing my own film as I am clearly aware of the guidelines of a 12A classification films and to what extent violence and gore is and not allowed. This horror genre is represented in the film I have chosen as this film refers to violence, gangs and terror and conflict which all go relate to the genre of horror as teenage gangs get up to danger and trouble with the use of weapons, gore and blood!

This information was useful as we are now aware of the aspects in which are not suitable for a 12A  film so we should be cautious of what we add and how much violence or weapons we include. We should also consider how much violence or gore will be shown as it is not suitable for 12A films due to the regulations. 


Source: http://www.bbfc.co.uk/case-studies