The year 2024 proved to be an exceptional one for the film industry, andseveral movies that defined our year featured some NSFW content.
Whether it was the explicit content inAnora, the vibrant language inKneecap, the disturbing physical horror inThe Substanceor some of the beautiful yet terrifying scenes inThe Devil’s Bath, there was ample material to occupy censors.
Still, the British Board of Film Certification (BBFC)has indicated that none of these movies were considered for the most complained-about film of 2024.
It seems that the new age rating assigned to a cherished classic sparked the most controversy...
In their annual report, the BBFC discloses that its choice to reclassify the 1964 classicMary Poppins, featuring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, from a U (Universal – appropriate for all) to a PG (Parental Guidance) has made it the most criticized film of 2024.
As per the BBFC, out of the 224 complaints submitted throughout the year, 56 were forMary Poppins– indicating it preceded complaints regarding knife fights inDune: Part Two and that sex scene in Saltburn.
So, why was Mary Poppins’ rating changed?
It all boils down to the word "hottentots" – which appears twice in the movie, spoken by the character Admiral Boom, who uses it to describe chimney sweeps covered in soot.
Hottentots is a derogatory term first employed by Dutch colonists in South Africa – and later came to be used for all individuals of African descent.
Individuals who lodged complaints with the BBFC considered the discriminatory term to be excessively old-fashioned and wished for the rating to stay the same.
David Austin, the head of the BBFC, stated: "The two instances of the discriminatory term 'hottentots' are not censured or denounced, which raises the possibility that very young viewers could repeat it without understanding its offensive nature."
In other areas, 17 complaints were filed about the 1989 science fiction classic.The Abyss- concerning rumors that the movie had been scrapped due to BBFC recommendations about a scene where a man immerses a live rat in liquid – andDune Part Tworeceived 13 complaints from individuals who believe the 12A rating (which allows those aged 12 and older to attend a 12A film without an adult) is too permissive.
Wrapping it up was the dark comedySaltburn, which received ten complaints following a rating of 15 for "strong sex, nudity, sexual threat, drug misuse, and very strong language".
Austin stated: "People who contacted us usually felt that the film's portrayal of sexual obsession was too intense for a 15 rating. Considering the film's darkly humorous style and that the main scenes, although powerful, did not include explicit nudity or other visual explicit content, 'Saltburn' meets our criteria for a 15 classification."
The present UK rating categories include U, PG, 12A/12, 15, 18, and R18. You can find detailed information about the UK's specific – some may describe it as restrictive – classification system.here. And if you didn't catch it, take a look at our Best Films of 2024here.
And keep in mind: "A teaspoon of sugar makes the medicine go down, in the most enjoyable manner!"