This Film is Not Yet Rated

I'd never questioned the MPAA. I always thought ratings were there because they had to be, and when a film had no rating, it was because it was so suitable for everyone, it didn't even need a rating. Boy, was I wrong.

This Film is Not Yet Rated opened my eyes to the evil world of the ratings board. The only word I can think to describe it is unfair. The MPAA holds a tyranny over movies, and they cater to the needs of big studios and executives. What I don't understand is how they refuse to alter their policies, even when faced with the overwhelming evidence in this film that bias exists in their ratings.

What made me especially angry is their claim that their board is a good representation of parents in America, despite the fact that the seem to be of primarily one political party, of just a handful of races, and overall, of a similar, conservative mind.

I feel like this is censorship, even if they aren't a government organization. I mean, if they give an independent film an NC-17 rating, the film probably won't accept it. So, they restrict that crowd that will get access to this film by restricting its distribution outlets, its advertising, and its overall audience. So, their preventing a large portion of the audience from seeing the film. Essentially, its censorship.

Also, if the ratings are optional, why are people subjected to them? What I mean is, if the rating is not required by law, why do we as moviegoers have to adhere to them? Why are we being forced to follow laws that stem from a private organization and that benefit only the studios and those directly involved with the MPAA?

Watching this makes me glad there are things like commonsensemedia.org and the internet in general, where organizations like the MPAA can't sink their controlling claws. At least not yet, and hopefully not ever.