Norway
In Norway all movies have to be registered by the Norwegian Media Authority (Medietilsynet, formerly Filmtilsynet), a government agency, to be exhibited commercially. Though if distributors wish, they can just register the movie with the agency without any need for approval, but the distributor is then obligated not to admit anyone under the age of 18. The distributor is also responsible that the movie does not violate Norwegian law (only applies to movies with "degrading hardcore sexual content").
Movies are rated using the following classifications:
- A (all ages) No violence/threat content, sex and nudity must be limited this appeals for documentaries as well
- 7 (ages 7 and up) Children under 7 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian 18 or older. by an Comic violence, sex scenes, drug use, horror elements must be minimal.
- 11 (ages 11 and up) Children under 11 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian 18 or older. Moderate violence, coarse language, sex scenes, nudity, moderate drug use, suicide scenes and attempts.
Restricted:
- 15 (Only For Ages 15 And Up) Children under the age of 15 cannot be admitted to screenings. The film may contain, strong bloody violence and gore, strong drug use, strong sex scenes and nudity, glorification of suicide.
- 18 (Adults only) No one under the age of 18 can be admitted to screenings. The film may contain strong gory and sadistic violence, gross content, explicit drug use, frequent sex scenes and nudity, aggressive behavior
- Rejected (Banned From Viewing) This category is usually only applied to films that contain grossly obscene content, extreme impact violence, depictions of child sexual abuse or other content that most viewers would find outrageous, offensive and revolting. Films that are classified as Rejected are banned not only from public view, sale or distribution, it is also illegal to own such films. Those caught in possession of rejected films can be fined or imprisoned.
Films rated 7 or 11 may also be seen by children accompanied by a parent or adult guardian if the child has turned 4, 8 or 12 years, respectively. In addition to the ratings, the board indicates if a movie is suitable for children, families, youths or adults. A film may be given a rating even though it is intended for an older age group, e.g. an "A" film might be intended for adults if it does not contain material unsuitable for young children. The Norwegian Media Authority have a somewhat greater tolerance for bad language and suggestive content than certain other countries, therefore films rated PG-13 in USA, might be given '7+' or the 'Suitable for all' rating. Examples are The Simpsons Movie or Step Up.
The board also indicates if a rating is "hard". A "hard" 11/15 rating is usually indicated by the text "not advised for children/youths under 11/15" ("frarådes barn/ungdom under 11/15 år"), however this does not affect if children under the given age are allowed to see the film if accompanied. In 2000 a Board of Appeal was established. Prior to this the ratings board could choose to reclassify a film.
Read more about this topic: Motion Picture Rating System
Famous quotes containing the word norway:
“A long time you have been making the trip
From Havre to Hartford, Master Soleil,
Bringing the lights of Norway and all that.”
—Wallace Stevens (1879–1955)
“Such was the very armor he had on
When he the ambitious Norway combated.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“Write about winter in the summer. Describe Norway as Ibsen did, from a desk in Italy; describe Dublin as James Joyce did, from a desk in Paris. Willa Cather wrote her prairie novels in New York City; Mark Twain wrote Huckleberry Finn in Hartford, Connecticut. Recently, scholars learned that Walt Whitman rarely left his room.”
—Annie Dillard (b. 1945)