Before any film is released, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) gives it a G, PG, PG-13, R, and in some extreme cases, X or NC-17 rating.
Now, in one of the most controversial decisions ever to come out of the MPAA ratings system, a new documentary chronicling the effects of bullying on young kids, aptly titled "Bully," was given an R-rating by the MPAA for "some language."
After launching an appeal (so that bullied kids of all ages are able to see the film) against the rating and losing, the documentary's distributors, The Weinstein Company, released a statement that they are considering a "leave of absence from the MPAA for the foreseeable future."
But this isn't the first time the MPAA has had backlash from filmmakers for their rating system.
"Bully" (2012)
The documentary about bullying in schools was given an R rating due to violent language.
During the appeal process by The Weinstein Company, "Bully" director Lee Hirsch and one of the kids from the film, Alex Libby, implored the MPAA to change the rating from an R to PG-13.
They made the claim that kids should be allowed to watch the film because it'll promote less violence if they see the effects bullying has on a child's emotions.
Weinstein and Hirsch lost the appeal. By one vote.
"Blue Valentine" (2010)
The dark relationship drama starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams was originally given the dreaded NC-17 rating because of scenes of oral sex onscreen between the couple.
When the rating news came out, the cast, crew and production company were outraged. Gosling even accused the MPAA of sexism.
"How is it possible that these movies that torture women in a sexual context can have an R rating but a husband and wife making love is inappropriate?" The actor said.
Ultimately, the MPAA agreed and with a unanimous vote, they changed the rating to an R. Williams ended up getting an Oscar nomination for the role.
"The King's Speech" (2010)
Another MPAA vs. Weinstein debacle.
The Best Picture Oscar winner was slammed with an R rating for a scene that involved Colin Firth's King George IV saying the f-word at least 10 times in an angry attempt to use cursing as a means to curing his stuttering.
Apparently the cut-off for dropping the f-bomb for a PG-13 film is one. This is apparently to protect kids from over-exposure to the negative word.
Have the MPAA officials ever walked the halls of a public school?
Weinstein didn't dispute this rating too much. Instead the company set a terrible precedent of releasing an edited, PG-13 version of the film a few months after it won Best Picture.
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