FSK approvals are mainly used to indicate to the end user whether a film or series is also suitable for children or young people. A short indication is sufficient to set the minimum age: FSK 0, FSK 6, FSK 12, FSK 16 or FSK 18. Especially if you have a large movie collection on the shelf, you don’t even have to read the mini-announcement, but you can instantly recognize the rating by the color of the label – that’s white, yellow, green, blue or red. A cursory glance is enough to determine whether you are dealing with a family movie or a horror shock. In between, however, there is plenty of room for gray areas. However, that should now be the end.
As is now known, the Voluntary Self-Regulation of the Film Industry (FSK) will provide approvals with additional information from January 1, 2023 (with a transition period until June 30, 2023) clarifying which factors led to the respective classification.
Henceforth, one to three descriptors are given for each movie or series episode, which should help to understand why this or that release was granted. Those annotations should then be found in the cinema, in the stream and on the back of physical releases (DVD, Blu-ray and Co.).
This is not a world first, but a completely understandable development – as the following examples show.
FSK 18 is not the same as FSK 18!
FSK’s history is long and eventful – ranging from movies that were once indexed, later released even from the age of twelve (“The Warriors”) to ratings that were withdrawn or upgraded shortly after theatrical release (“American Beauty,” ” no-ear bunnies”). However, none of this plays a role in the forthcoming reform. Because it is mainly about emphasizing which different reasons can lead to one and the same release. This runs through all ratings, but is especially important for movies 18+ – not least because this is often a reason for movie fans to deal with the FSK (and the question “cut or unabridged?”) in the first place. to go. deal with it.
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For example, the following films/series are all approved by the FSK from the age of 18 – and could hardly be more different: Fight Club, The Hills Have Eyes, American Pie Presents: The College Clique, John Wick 3, Californian, Watchmen, Pleasure, Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind. From hard-hitting horror shockers to stylish action hits to animated films and even teen comedies, you’ll find practically everything the world of film has to offer here. Of course, that doesn’t mean those movies are of the same ilk.
Additional annotations indicating excessive violence, vulgar language, or promiscuity are intended to clarify the determining factors in the future.
It has long been common practice abroad
This handle has long been established in many countries. Many local movie fans know this, such as the author of this article, who also likes to buy his DVDs and Blu-rays abroad – for example, of films that are not available in this country.
Both the BBFC (British Board Of Film Classification) and the MPAA (Motion Picture Association Of America) have long provided films and series in Britain and the US with such statements – such as “strong violence” (harsh violence) and “gory images”. “. ” (gory images) to “strong language” (strong language).