Lyla Lindsey
The 2017 coming-of-age film *Lady Bird*, written and directed by Greta Gerwig, has received acclaim and several award nominations. However, due to its use of strong language and nudity, it has been subject to censorship and rating restrictions in different countries. In the US, the film received an R rating, while in Australia, it was initially rated MA 15 due to a scene featuring nudity. The film was then censored to replace strong language and remove male genitalia from a magazine scene, resulting in a lower rating of M for mature themes, coarse language, and a sex scene.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the System | The classification system in Australia is known as the "Australian Classification System." |
| Ladybird Rating | Ladybird is rated as "General Exhibition," which is advised for people over the age of 5 years. |
| Description | The content is classified as very mild and suitable for a general audience. It may contain very mild impact themes, language, or sexual references that are justified by context. |
| Visual Logo | The Ladybird rating is represented by a white "G" on a green background. |
| Classification Agency | The classification is carried out by the Australian Classification Board (ACB) and the Classification Operations Board (COB). |
| Purpose | The system aims to help consumers make informed choices about the content they engage with and to protect minors from harmful or inappropriate content. |
| Regulatory Body | The classification system is governed by the Australian Government's Department of Communications and the Arts. |
| Review Process | The classification is determined by assessing the content against the published classification guidelines. The process involves evaluating themes, language, violence, sex, and other elements in the content. |
| Latest Revision | The classification system was last updated in 2018, with minor changes to the guidelines to address contemporary community standards. |
| Applicable Media | The Ladybird rating is typically applied to films, video games, television shows, and published content. |
| Enforcement | The classification system is enforced through legislation, including the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 and the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. |
| Consumer Advice | The Ladybird rating suggests that parental guidance is recommended for younger viewers, and consumers are advised to refer to the more detailed consumer advice for specific content. |
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What You'll Learn
Censorship of profanity
In Australia, certain topics are subject to government censorship, including matters of national security, judicial non-publication or suppression orders, defamation law, the federal Racial Discrimination Act 1975, film and literature classification, and advertising restrictions. The country has witnessed a decline in its ranking on the Press Freedom Index, reflecting rising media censorship and intimidation of journalists.
The Australian government has occasionally acted against media outlets for reasons of national security. For instance, in June 2019, federal police raided the offices of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, seeking evidence against officials who may have leaked sensitive information. Additionally, the importation of certain books, video games, and media is prohibited based on their content.
While Australia's constitution does not explicitly protect press freedom, journalists generally scrutinise the government and cover controversial topics without facing serious obstacles or risks of harassment or violence. However, concerns have been raised about academic freedom in public universities, and the widespread use of judicial suppression orders.
In the case of the film "Lady Bird", Australian theatres took a different approach from other countries. While the film is rated R in the US due to its profanity and mature content, Australian theatres censored the movie to make it more accessible to younger viewers. Specifically, the word "cunt" was changed to "cooze", and male genitals in a Playgirl Magazine scene were censored. The film's rating in Australia is M, indicating "mature themes, coarse language, and a sex scene", allowing a broader audience to view the film.
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Censorship of nudity
In Australia, movies can receive an MA 15 rating, which means that audiences over 15 can watch the film on their own, while anyone younger than 15 can watch it with a parent or guardian. Greta Gerwig's film Lady Bird was initially given this rating due to "Brief Strong Nudity" in a scene featuring a Playgirl magazine and male genitalia. However, the film was later censored and its rating changed to M for "mature themes, coarse language and a sex scene". This means younger viewers faced fewer barriers to watching the film.
The Classification Board in Australia stated that it does not censor movies and that the decision to do so lies with the studio and/or distributor. In the Australian version of Lady Bird, the word "cunt" was changed to "cooze", and the male genitals in the Playgirl Magazine scene were also censored.
In the case of Lady Bird, the censorship of nudity and the change in rating from MA 15 to M allowed more young people to legally view the film without parental supervision. This could be seen as a positive outcome, as it increases access to a film that received Academy Award nominations and deals with themes relevant to older teenagers. However, others may argue that the censorship undermines the original vision of the filmmakers and that parents or guardians should be responsible for deciding what content is appropriate for their children, rather than the film distributors or censorship boards.
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Parental guidance
In Australia, the movie Lady Bird has been given varying ratings, with some theatres censoring certain parts of the film to make it more accessible to younger viewers. The original rating of MA 15 means that audiences over 15 can watch the movie on their own, while anyone younger than 15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. This rating was due to "Brief Strong Nudity", specifically a scene featuring a Playgirl magazine and male genitalia.
However, due to censorship, the movie was later rated M for "mature themes, coarse language and a sex scene". This lower rating means that younger viewers can now watch the film without parental guidance. The censorship included changing the word "cunt" to "cooze" and removing some male genitalia from the Playgirl Magazine scene.
The decision to censor the film was made by the studio and/or distributor, not the Classification Board. This has made the film more accessible to a wider audience in Australia, allowing more people to enjoy the Academy Award-nominated film.
While the censorship may make the film more suitable for younger viewers, parents and guardians should still use their discretion when deciding whether to allow their children to watch Lady Bird. The film contains strong language and mature themes that may not be suitable for all audiences. It is important for parents to consider the maturity and sensitivity of their children before allowing them to watch the film.
Additionally, parents may want to discuss the themes and language in the film with their children to provide context and guidance. Lady Bird depicts a teenager navigating young adulthood, and while it has received acclaim, it is important for viewers to be able to handle the mature content appropriately.
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Mature themes
The 2017 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film *Lady Bird* has been rated MA 15 in Australia. This means that audiences over the age of 15 can watch the movie on their own, while anyone younger than 15 can watch it with a parent or guardian. The Classification Board in Australia stated that the movie was given this rating due to "Brief Strong Nudity", specifically a scene featuring a Playgirl magazine and male genitalia. The film was also given the rating due to mature themes and coarse language.
To make the film more accessible to younger viewers, distributors chose to censor the film. This included changing the word "cunt" to "cooze" and censoring male genitalia in the Playgirl Magazine scene. Due to these changes, the rating was downgraded to M for "mature themes, coarse language and a sex scene".
The original, uncensored version of the film features the word "cunt" twice and includes strong nudity. As a result, the film received an R rating in the US, restricting viewers under the age of 17 unless accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.
The decision to censor the film in Australia sparked some debate. While some argued that the censorship made the film more accessible to younger viewers, others criticised it as a form of creative censorship.
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Coarse language
In Australia, movies can receive an MA 15+ rating, which means that audiences over 15 can watch the movie on their own. Anyone younger than 15 can still watch with a parent or guardian. Lady Bird, a film about a teenager navigating young adulthood, was initially given this rating due to "Brief Strong Nudity", specifically a scene featuring a Playgirl magazine and male genitalia. However, the film was later censored to remove the nudity, and its rating was changed to M for "mature themes, coarse language and a sex scene".
The "coarse language" in Lady Bird includes the use of the word "cunt" and "f-bombs". In Australia, the word "cunt" was changed to "cooze" in the film, and some male genitals in the Playgirl Magazine scene were also censored. This censorship made the film more accessible to younger viewers, as the M rating means that younger audiences can watch with parental guidance.
The decision to censor the film was made by the studio and/or distributor, not the Classification Board. While the Board provides ratings to indicate the suitability of films for different audiences, they do not censor the films themselves.
The coarse language in Lady Bird is a significant aspect of the film, as it deals with a teenager's journey into adulthood and the realistic portrayal of their language. The film has earned acclaim for its portrayal of this subject matter, but the language has also led to it being rated R in the US and censored in some other countries.
The censorship of Lady Bird in Australia highlights the differing cultural norms and sensitivities around language and content in films. While some countries may allow more explicit language and content, others may take a more conservative approach, especially when it comes to making films accessible to younger audiences.
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Frequently asked questions
In Australia, the movie Lady Bird is rated MA 15, which means that audiences over 15 can watch the movie on their own. Anyone younger than 15 can watch it with a parent or guardian.
The movie Lady Bird is rated MA 15 in Australia due to "Brief Strong Nudity". The scene in question features a Playgirl magazine and male genitalia. The movie also contains coarse language.
Yes, the movie Lady Bird has been censored in Australia. The word "cunt" was changed to "cooze", and some male genitals in the Playgirl Magazine scene were also censored.
