New film classification system for Saskatchewan

[Frank Cox]

I have just been advised that the Saskatchewan film classification system will be revised effective (probably) April 1.

The current system requires every film exhibited in theatres to be officially classified by the Film Classification Board before it can be shown.

The new system will mirror the system that's now in use in Ontario.

This is what https://www.ontario.ca/page/film-con...mation-ontario says about that:

Overview

To reflect changes in the marketplace and increased use of digital platforms, there is no longer a requirement to provide movie ratings for films shown in Ontario. The Film Content Information Act, 2020 requires film exhibitors to provide consumers with information on a film’s content instead.

For example, this may include:

• the age of the intended audience
• depictions of violence
• coarse language
• use of tobacco or other substances

Film content information

Exhibitors must provide information about a film’s content in advance of exhibition to support informed viewing choices.

Examples of information that could be provided include:

• intended age of the audience of the film (for example, suitable for 15 years and over)
• nudity/sexual activity or adult themes
• violence
• coarse/obscene language
• substance use (for example, tobacco products, vapour products, cannabis)

The film content information must be displayed at the exhibition’s premises, or otherwise made available to the public in advance of exhibiting the film to support informed film viewing.

Exhibitors must also provide consumers with contact information for any questions or complaints.

Adult sex films are still required to be approved by any Canadian jurisdiction that engages in the review and approval of adult sex films.

The act continues to prohibit the sale, rental or exhibition of approved adult sex films to persons under 18 years of age.

The question I have is, what should I use as a source for "information about a film's content". I guess the MPAA ratings have all of that, but is anyone (meaning me) able to just use those ratings without someone getting bent out of shape about it?

For anyone who's running a theatre in Ontario right now, what are you using for your source of information?

[Mike Blakesley]

There are lots of places to get the information -- you could look at the parents guide at IMDB.com for example. Or look at the filmratings.com site for the MPA ratings. (Assuming these are accessible in Canada.)

I think what I would do in this situation is just make a set of cards that say:

LANGUAGE
VIOLENCE
SENSUAL CONTENT
HORROR
TOBACCO USE

Then make a 'title card' that says "Parental advisory: This film contains:" and then tack up the appropriate cards underneath. That way you get around using the "language" from the MPA ratings.

Another way to implement this idea would be to just make a small poster that has all the above wording on it, with a "check box" in front of each of the words. Then you could just check-off the appropriate boxes and put up the little poster. You'd have a little paper/printing cost but it wouldn't be bad.

[Harold Hallikainen]

What is an " adult sex film?"

[Frank Cox]

The current Saskatchewan film classification defines that as "The content is not suitable for minors -- contains predominantly sexually explicit activity."

Porn, in other words.

I have a bunch of official government-issued window cards that say things like "General: Content is considered suitable for all ages", and so forth. They started out pretty colourful (G is green, PG is yellow, 14A is orange, etc.) but they've all gotten pretty faded out over the years of being put into and taken out of my window for various movies.

My "Adult: contains predominantly sexual activity" card is red looks like it's brand new. Probably because it's never been used.