Film Review Board failing youth

Are Film Review Boards failing our youth when applying movie ratings?

That question could be asked across the world but it is now being asked in Canada. Is the Ontario Film Review Board (OFRB) doing its job protecting youth when it rated Black Swan 14A despite the grotesque violence and some gross sexuality?

Many are asking the above question now that concern is being raised regarding what criteria is used and the lack of perceived common sense behind it.

What is not debated by many is that it is a powerful movie containing many disturbing images and references. I saw it and found it well acted and at points very difficult to watch.

Its complicated presentation and gut-wrenching story is disturbing yet informative. People take away different opinions and beliefs on what the movie was about or its message.

• Was it really about a dancer who was driven to madness because of the pressures of the competive ballet world and an overbearing/crazy mother or was it about mental illness alone with the other issues really the backdrop?
• Was the dancer already suffering from mental illness brought on by genetics as well as environmental issues/stresses?
• Was participating in dance and its excesses part of the attraction to such an individual?
• Was the mother crazy and/or overbearing genetically or was it due to caring for such a child?
• Was the abuses, excesses and cruelty of the dance world realistically highlighted in this drama?

What seems to be clear for many, however, is that the presentation was graphic and sometimes unbearable for adults. Does a teen benefit from seeing such a film and is it the board’s resposibilty to rate the movie so that youth cannot see it.

Parental responsibility aside, and I have to admit sometimes I have been shocked and disappointed to see in theatres what some parents expose their kids to – maybe common sense replaces the need for a babysitter), I believe serious questions need to be asked about our rating system.

The images shown in this movie are graphic as they depict this poor girl’s spiral into insanity. What justification can there be to subject teens to this?

Is it not the Ontario Film Review Board (OFRB) and their mandate that is responsible for applying common sense guidelines even when parents won’t. If not, why do they even exist?

Let us know what you think.