A call for a rating system in China has been reignited to protect children from disturbing or sexual scenes in films, such as this year's "Fifty Shades Darker," pictured here. (Photo : YouTube/Universal Pictures UK)
This year, a number of Hollywood movies are expected to make a fortune in box offices all over Asia. As moviegoers are anticipating the release of these films, parents in China are lobbying for a film rating system that would protect children from inappropriate scenes.
According to the Global Times, the movement calling for a film rating system in China was reignited once more due to the fact that Vietnam has recently implemented a new classification system for movies.
Previously, Vietnam only had two classifications: G for General Audiences, and NC-16 for audiences 16 and above. The country’s new rating system now has four categories: P for general audiences; C13 for viewers aged 13 and above; C16 for aged 16 and above; and C18, for aged 18 and above.
Unlike Vietnam and most Asian countries, China has no nationwide classification or rating system for films. Instead, all movies are considered to be suitable for all ages and are released in theaters all over the country.
Due to the lack of a rating system, some theatre owners in China have taken matters into their own hands and implemented a system of their own.
Back in 2014, a cinema in Urumqi, in China’s Xinjiang Province, issued a PG-13 advisory to movies such as the Paul Walker-starrer “Brick Mansions.”
Despite cinema executive manager Yao Lin’s lack of film classification knowledge, he has been quoted as saying that his decisions on what rating to give each film are subjective, according to Variety.
With upcoming 2017 films containing sex scenes, such as “Fifty Shades Darker,” and disturbing images, such as “Saw: Legacy,” the call for a film rating system in China is louder than ever.
“When will China get a rating system?” Netizen Jingyiwei wrote on Sina Weibo. “Many of the New Year films contain sex scenes and it’s really embarrassing for parents to watch them with kids.”
Though it is unclear whether China will be implementing a rating system soon, the public is hopeful that this will be resolved in the future.
