Highly rated: XXX chat with adult film director Amory Peart
When does an X-rated movie become XXX? Award-winning adult film director Amory Peart — the man behind Hard Brexxxit, Butt Buddies and The Iron Lady Garden — explains the confusing movie ratings system.
Before we meet filmmaker Amory Peart, let me give you a bit of background:
The film certification “X” was introduced to the UK in 1951 by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). It replaced the previous “H” certificate, which largely covered horror films.
Any film which covered “adult” themes deemed unsuitable for a young audience was given an X rating instead of the general “A” certificate. At the time of its introduction, anyone over 16 could watch an X movie — although this age limit was raised to 18 in 1970.
Meanwhile in the US, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) introduced its own X rating. This was applied to any movie judged to be unsuitable for children, e.g. if it contained extreme violence, sex or “graphic language” (swearing).
Among the movies which had the X certificate imposed upon them were A Clockwork Orange, Last Tango in Paris, horror…
