This Movie Is Not Yet Rated (2006)

Directed by: Kirby Dick | 97 minutes | documentary | Starring: Kirby Dick, Becky Altringer, Allison Anders, David Ansen, Darren Aronofsky, Jamie Babbit, Maria Bello, Atom Egoyan, Stephen Farber, Martin Garbus, Mary Harron, Kimberley Peirce, Kevin Smith, Matt Stone, Jack Valenti, John Waters

The public has always known that the MPAA, the American film organization’s age judges, have fairly warped judgments and methods, most notably the practice of accepting violence in a film much earlier than sex or naked bodies, a hypocrisy that with regard to the written press was so aptly exposed in ‘The People vs. Larry Flint’. But Kirby Dick’s documentary will open the viewer’s eyes much further. Disturbing is the total lack of transparency of the inspectorate, and the use of arbitrary, fictitious standards imposed by an ignorant group of people. If it weren’t so bad, you’d burst out laughing at the absurd practices we’re presented with here. It seems to be the mafia. For example, the names of the judges remain top secret, and they must sign a contract that they will never talk about their work at the MPAA. When one of them was asked what information was so sensitive, no answer was given. When ex-employees, or members of the board of appeal, subsequently have their say in Dick’s documentary, it is remarkable to see how nervous people behave. “I say too much already. I have to be careful.”, is one of the reactions of those involved. You almost expect the man to be afraid of being killed when he leaves the premises.

Leaving aside the ridiculous degree of secrecy, which is also unconstitutional, when you watch the film you start to understand why there is such a lack of transparency. The rules are dirty work and the composition of the organization itself is questionable to say the least. For example, according to their own rules, members should be parents of children of a specific age group (between five and ten years, for example), which practically none of them meet, as we learn in this documentary. Also, the statement that nothing should be known or discussed because of possible influences does not stand when members appear to discuss their judgments with film studio personnel. It is therefore no surprise that large studios are less affected by age ratings and that independent films in particular are biting the dust. To find out all this information, Dick hires some private detectives, which makes for some interesting, but mostly (only) mildly amusing scenes. It’s good that the organization is being exposed, but Dick’s documentary has to lose substance and efficiency because of this chase story.

There are so many interesting topics covered, that could be covered in more detail, that it’s unfortunate that almost half of the film is devoted to this detective aspect. It is more interesting to rely on the strange judgments themselves and to look for underlying motives. Such as the fear of sex and nudity – especially homosexual sex – which lead to strict inspections. The split-screen scenes in which almost identical scenes are shown side by side with sexual acts, with the difference being the sexual orientation of the main characters, where the heterosexual scene is given a more positive assessment. Lesbian sex in ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ is out of the question, but housewife Diane Lane, who is loved by hunk Olivier Martinez, is no problem. But even conversations about sexual acts are sometimes unacceptable. A scene in ‘Jersey Girl’, in which Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler talk about (her) masturbation, resonated with the chief of the medical examiner, Joan Graves. “I would feel uncomfortable if my 16-year-old daughter watches this,” she said, director Kevin Smith tells us. To which his answer was: “But don’t you think your daughter hasn’t already done this herself?”.

Mary Harron’s statements are also illuminating. For her “American Psycho,” chainsaw murders were acceptable, but the scene where Christian Bale had sex with two women at the same time went too far. Maria Bello also makes a contribution with regard to her tender sex scene with William H. Macy, who received a more severe examination because a piece of her pubic hair came into the picture. That while a Carmen Electra with a knife in her silicone breast chops in ‘Scary Movie 3’ causes no problems at all. It seems to point to a very narrow and strange line of reasoning about what exactly is offensive: a violent, humorous scene, or one involving a natural, loving act of sex?

‘This Film Is Not Yet Rated’ is an intriguing film, filmed and edited in a smooth manner, with illuminating examples and interesting speakers. It’s just a pity that so much time is spent playing detective and not getting more into content. Nevertheless, this documentary is an absolute must for anyone who is close to film as an art form and who values ​​the expressive freedom of the maker.