[b]Finding Nemo too scary, Christian groups call for ratings
review[/b]
[i]NOT content with a review of television and junk food advertising
guidelines, Christian groups and children’s advocates are calling for an overhaul of children’s film content as
well as R-rated material.
Questions about the content of Finding Nemo and the Cat in the Hat and R-rated
movies have prompted the Australian Christian Lobby to approach every state government in an attempt to put film
classification guidelines on the agenda when the attorneys-general meet in March.
Lobby groups such as the
Festival of Light and the Australian Family Association are vocal critics of the film classification regime,
saying graphic sexual violence is creeping into R-rated material and being justified as artistically
meritorious.
But they have also condemned G-rated movies such as Finding Nemo for its scary violence and
the Cat in the Hat for its toilet humour and sexual innuendo.
Young Media Australia, a non-denominational
community organisation based in South Australia, is backing a review of film content focusing on the impact of
films on children’s development.
The group’s vice-president, Elizabeth Handsley, said unacceptable
levels of violence and product placement were finding their way into G-rated movies, but the boundary between PG-
and M-rated films was particularly “slippery”.
"Exposure to violence can desensitise
children to violence, can make them more accepting of it as a means of conflict resolution and if exposed to
scary violence, they can develop a mean and scary view of the world," Ms Handsley said.
"We
would like to see the guidelines made more specific and specifically connected to child development, with less
room for interpretation."
The lobby says film guidelines - reviewed in 2003 - focus on the overall
“impact” of a film or computer game and give fewer explicit directions concerning the specific
classifiable elements of sex, nudity, sexual violence, drug use and violence.
“Low-impact” drug
use and nudity is permitted in the G classification, provided it meets an overall impact test of very mild
themes.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH G?
The Cat in the Hat Rated G: Some violence and one sexual reference
when the Cat is looking at a picture of the children’s mother, who is quite attractive and wears revealing
outfits. His tail and his hat stand up straight. In one scene the Cat bends over, with a split in his fur
revealing naked buttocks.
Finding Nemo Rated G: Disturbing scenes for under-fives, including shark
attacks.
Cars Rated G: Some violence with little regard for consequences, including race crashes. Some
mild coarse language.
Over the Hedge Rated G: Scary scenes, bear threatens to kill racoon, nasty pet
traps.[/i]
Source:
smh.com.au/news/national/fin … 6/09/25/11
59036472203.html