This is a documentary about the US ratings system. It argues the same grievances that independent film makers have been complaining about for years. Specifically, that independent films are given less guidance than studios (which own the MPAA), that homosexual content is treated more harshly than equivalent straight sexuality, and that sex is rated more puritanically than violence.
I think these facts are obvious, but seeing clips of films side-by-side truly hammers it home.
Film maker Kirby Dick presents a quick-paced, laugh-provoking case, although he gives short shrift to alternative views. One should go into the movie understanding that Dick advocates a specific view, much like Michael Moore, but this doesn't diminish the entertaining and thought-provoking elements of the documentary.
Mild spoiler:
Controversially, Kirby Dick challenges the secretiveness of ratings. MPAA chiefs have always asserted that the raters are a group of "ordinary parents" with children from 5 to 18 years old. Well, Dick hires a private detective to find out.
The narrative thread of the documentary involves tracking them down one by one. The detectives methods produce some deep chuckles. In the end Dick shows us face shots, and vital statistics for every rater. I must admit I was a little squeamish when they're digging through a rater's trash, but the results are fascinating. Many of the rater's kids have long since grown into their twenties and thirties. (Still, I wonder whether it's fair for a documentary to name their names, and even show photos of their houses.)
Finally, to top it all off, Dick has his own rough cut rated. Actually, there's been some news about this too. Apparently they made a copy of it, which may be illegal because of the very laws that the MPAA pushed through. They counter that Dick is just seeking free publicity for his movie. Could be, but he has plenty of it.
***
Bottom line, if you care how films are made in the US, you should make a point of seeing this film. Presumably it'll be on IFC later this year, uncut. That's more than can be said for many artist's work, and you should find out why.
I think these facts are obvious, but seeing clips of films side-by-side truly hammers it home.
Film maker Kirby Dick presents a quick-paced, laugh-provoking case, although he gives short shrift to alternative views. One should go into the movie understanding that Dick advocates a specific view, much like Michael Moore, but this doesn't diminish the entertaining and thought-provoking elements of the documentary.
Mild spoiler:
Controversially, Kirby Dick challenges the secretiveness of ratings. MPAA chiefs have always asserted that the raters are a group of "ordinary parents" with children from 5 to 18 years old. Well, Dick hires a private detective to find out.
The narrative thread of the documentary involves tracking them down one by one. The detectives methods produce some deep chuckles. In the end Dick shows us face shots, and vital statistics for every rater. I must admit I was a little squeamish when they're digging through a rater's trash, but the results are fascinating. Many of the rater's kids have long since grown into their twenties and thirties. (Still, I wonder whether it's fair for a documentary to name their names, and even show photos of their houses.)
Finally, to top it all off, Dick has his own rough cut rated. Actually, there's been some news about this too. Apparently they made a copy of it, which may be illegal because of the very laws that the MPAA pushed through. They counter that Dick is just seeking free publicity for his movie. Could be, but he has plenty of it.
***
Bottom line, if you care how films are made in the US, you should make a point of seeing this film. Presumably it'll be on IFC later this year, uncut. That's more than can be said for many artist's work, and you should find out why.