THE '15' CATEGORY Doubt ‘15’ is the most popular certificate on film. In 2008 just over a third of all the films given a rating in the UK were passed ‘15’. ‘15’ is a mandatory age rating - no-one under 15 is allowed to see a ‘15’ film at the cinema or to buy/rent a ‘15’ rated DVD or video game in a shop. ‘15’ rated works contain material that is deemed unsuitable for children under 15 years of age. Like all categories ‘15’ films cover a diverse range of subjects, themes and genres. ‘15’ films are often aimed at a late teenage audience, although as with other categories this isn’t always the case. Some very ‘grown up’ films have been passed at ‘15’ dealing with themes such as paedophilia, rape, incest, genocide. Examples might include Little Children, The Woodsman, Doubt and Revolutionary Road. Some ‘15’ films may have that certificate simply for lots of strong language, others may contain a host of issues ranging from language, to sexual activity, sexual violence and violence. All films and games rated ‘15’ carry consumer advice, and extended information is available on the BBFC’s main website www.bbfc.co.uk 
Very strong themes which could be distressing or even perhaps offensive to some audiences may feature at ‘15’ and it is worth reading the short line of consumer advice for ‘15’ works even if they are aimed at older viewers. Tonally ‘15’ works may differ from ‘12A’ works, taking a more distressing view or the world for example, or lacking the sort of reassurance or fantasy that might be expected in more family friendly categories such as ‘U’ and ‘PG’. Alternatively some ‘15’ films may treat serious matters in a flippant or trivialising manner. The guidelines at ‘15’ are more permissive than those at ‘12A’ and ‘12’. In terms of language there may be frequent uses of strong language (for example uses of ‘f***’ and ‘motherf*****’). Four Weddings And A Funeral has lots of comic strong language in it. Some uses of strong language could be crude, aggressive or sexual though. There may also be occasional, non aggressive use of very strong language (for example uses of ‘c***’). Violence at ‘15’ is often strong, and can involve some detail and gore such as sight of bullet impact during shootings, ‘process detail’ such as close up shot of wounds and weapons and sight of injuries. In a ‘15’ detail such as the landing of blows in a fist fight is unlikely to be masked or hidden. DVD works which are often passed ‘15’ include the CSI franchises (eg CSI: Miami) and the Law & Order series, so some focus and detail is permitted. Many action films are passed ‘15’, especially those containing realistic, detailed violence. All the Die Hard films are ‘15’.
Violence which is particularly sadistic or sexualised, and which offers pleasure based on torture or similar may go to ‘18’. Some circumstances can provide mitigation for violence at ‘15’, lessening the impact of stronger images. War films, for example, often contain graphic violence but there is some tolerance at ‘15’ for violence where audiences might expect it to occur. Saving Private Ryan and Schindlers List are both examples of ‘15’ films which contains some very strong moments of violence, but in a clear historical, educational context. Pans Labyrinth is a more recent example of a ‘15’ containing strong war violence, although this was set in a fantastical context as well as an educational one. Sexual activity can be shown at ‘15’ and may be portrayed rather than implied. This means that there might be a degree of nudity (such as sight of buttocks and breasts) and some suggestions of the mechanics of sexual activity (movement, thrusting, suggested positions). Sex And The City contained some strong sexual themes and scenes at ‘15’, though ‘15’ standard sex references are not necessarily comic. Closer was also passed ‘15’ and includes some very strong verbal sex references and a detailed exploration of adult relationships. At ‘15’ there are no limits in terms of ‘natural nudity’ (nudity in a nonsexual situation such as skinny dipping or bathing) and there may be some sexualised nudity. The strongest details (such as close up detail of genitals) would usually take a work up to ‘18’. Strong sex references are also permitted at ‘15’, so a ‘15’ film might contain crude sexual humour, descriptions of sexual acts, strong jokes about sex, discussion of intimate relationships. The strongest, crudest verbal references, especially if they are pornographic in nature, may push a work up to ‘18’. Some ‘15’ works include scenes of sexual violence. These could include scenes of sexual threat, attacks or rape. The theme of rape and sexual assault could also be covered, including strong verbal references to this. Many horror films are passed at ‘15’, and at that category they can be threatening and frightening. This can range from creepiness, jump moments and some blood (as found in The Sixth Sense for example) to ‘slasher’ or splatter horror movies such as Zombieland. Strong threat and menace are permitted and may be sustained. There may also be some blood and other gory or strong images – especially if the setting is particularly fantastical or unrealistic. This said the strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable at ‘15’ and may take a horror film to ‘18’.
At ‘15’ drug taking may be shown, so there could be detail of joint smoking, snorting cocaine or intravenous illegal drug use. ‘15’ rated works could cover the drugs trade or themes of addiction, such as episodes of TV works available on DVD like House and The Wire, or may show comic or incidental use of drugs. Taken as a whole a ‘15’ film, DVD or game must not promote or encourage drug misuse though. Discriminatory terms and language may feature in a ‘15’ work. This could include comic or crude use of derogatory language.
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