What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this documentary isn't for kids. It's comprised of frank discussions of sex acts and violence, as well as clips from feature films that were rated R and NC-17. Sexual images (all simulated for fiction films, that is, not porn per se) show intercourse, rear entry sex, three-way sex, and masturbation (including comic images like Jason Biggs' encounter with the apple pie in American Pie and Tracey Ullman's with a water bottle in A Dirty Shame). Clips also include violent images (bloody, explosive, aggressive, as well as a few seconds of the "Columbine cafeteria tapes," which show no violence but allude to the event). Language (in interviews and film clips) includes references to genitals and sexual acts, as well as discussion of the f-word's uses.
- Families can talk about the functions of the MPAA ratings board. How does it serve different groups, including filmmakers/artists, studios/advertisers, and parents/viewers? How does its secrecy help it serve each of these groups differently? Does the ratings system constitute a form of censorship? How does the system affect profits, audience appeals, and awards? How are kids' interests affected by MPAA ratings? What changes have you noticed recently in the content parameters for films rated G, PG, and PG-13?