Film Classification: Why the long wait?

BEIJING --- There has been a great amount of speculation this year that SARFT would stop dragging its heels and finally come out with a film ratings classification system. However, those hopes seem to have been quashed (See Film & Theater below) yet again.

In June of last year, SARFT noted that a public consultation on the system was imminent, raising expectations it might be introduced this year. However, aside from pronouncements that they are "still examining the issue," not much has been heard and now SARFT is indicating a film classification system by next year at the earliest.

So what's taking so long? Why is it so difficult for SARFT to come out with a film classification system?

Firstly, it should be noted that there was an aborted attempt to establish a classification system some years ago. On March 1, 1989, the former administration of the Ministry of Radio, Film and TV issued a circular on the examination and rating of films. It specified four types of movies as "unsuitable for child audiences." But it did not work very well in practice and was quietly abandoned.

Recently, however, there has been a serious push to implement a film classification system from within the industry, led by such well-known directors as Feng Xiaogang. And there were even some moves by the regulators to solicit industry opinion.

In April of this year, a major workshop to seek advice and guidance on how to implement a film classification system in China was held in Beijing with experts from the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, SARFT, as well as some industry figures.

And what’s so important about a classification system anyway?

The ratings system allows for theater owners to exhibit, and movie directors to make, films with more adult themes that do not have to be suitable for audiences of all ages. Great for the theaters, and great for those who make movies. However, a classification system is not so great for the regulator who then cannot ban a film by simply saying it's not suitable for 'Chinese audiences': And therein lies the rub.

Unfortunately for China's film industry, the lack of age-based classification has led to bans and sweeping edits of films by allowing SARFT regulators to reject any film by claiming that it is "not suitable for Chinese tastes."

A ratings system would tie SARFT's hands in terms of being able to simply ban films it doesn't like.

Pressure for a ratings system has come from within the industry itself leaving SARFT in a difficult position. If SARFT refuses outright to introduce the regulations it will be seen as inflexible and against the industry's best interests. So, SARFT's answer has been to delay as long as possible.

Now it looks like this "policy of no policy" will continue. Every part of the film chain including theater owners, producers, directors and actors may want classification, but SARFT is unlikely to oblige in the near future unless forced to by higher authorities.