'Full Disclosure' starring the MPAA

After decades of obsolete ratings guidelines, unfair double standards, and possible bias' against homosexual filmmakers, the RACA has decided to make their rules and guidelines public. Oh, and this has nothing to do with a recent documentary about them.

It’s not exactly associated with the UK, but word has come from the Guardian, that there could finally be some progress with the MPAA, and its utterly antiquated ratings system that’s been touted as a system “designed to help the filmmaker,” when it’s done nothing but bring down the film industry for decades.

Though they deny their decision having any connection with Kirby Dick’s magnificent MPAA expose “This Film is Not Yet Rated,” the ratings and classification administration has, after decades, decided to make its rules and guidelines for the ratings public. If you saw Dick’s documentary, the MPAA has concealed their rules, guidelines, and board members identities with strict confidentiality, and kept their base tightly guarded and secure.

Dick, after investigating, uncovered many false truths about the MPAA, and much of their secrets, including the fact that they have two members of Catholic/Christian churches on the committee, have a blatant bias against gay and lesbian films, may or may not allow gay or lesbian voters, and meet up with studio executives from parent companies when ratings have been supplied.

One of the most disturbing notions in the documentary is that many of the directors interviewed, from John Waters to Kevin Smith, would prefer the government stepping in to decide the ratings, instead of the MPAA, in spite of Jack Valenti warning of the threat of government censorship. The reasoning for this is that the government would allow appeals from directors with constitutional backing.

The MPAA allows appeals, but rarely ever turns over their assigned ratings, does not allow the director to cite precedent to help their case, and vaguely informs directors how to argue for a different rating.

The MPAA has been a constant thorn on the side of film lovers and independent directors for a very long time forcing re-cuts, providing exceptions to different studios, and sabotaging success of different films around the world.

If this change continues, it could gradually mean a whole new era of film going with the MPAA finally leaving room for a fairer appeals system, revised guidelines, and actually enlisting film directors and producers to rate films. The Association plans to reveal the identities of their senior board (formerly held a heavily guarded secret), would make much of the guidelines, rules, and regulations public, and possibly hopes to clear up any confusion with their ratings decisions.

CARA chairwoman Joan Graves said: "Sometimes, film-makers don't understand that we rate entirely in context. They'll see something in one movie and think they can include it in their movie. "Now, at the appeals board, they can refer to other films, which before they couldn't do, although we'll still make a judgment within the context of the film."

With any luck, the announced changes are just the tip of the iceberg.