This Film Is Not Yet Rated 2006

Documentary

Box Office

$347K

Runtime

97 min

Language

English

Made by

IFC Films

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This Film Is Not Yet Rated Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

In a unique and thought-provoking exploration, Academy Award-nominated director Kirby Dick shines a light on the often-overlooked authority of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). This documentary delves into the inner workings of the most notorious non-censoring censors in American cinema. Driven by concern over the immense power the MPAA ratings board holds, Dick embarks on a quest to uncover the identities of the anonymous elite responsible for determining which films grace multiplex screens.

To further his investigation, he even employs private investigator Becky Altringer to observe the MPAA headquarters and unveil Hollywood’s best-kept secrets. Throughout his journey, Dick engages with a myriad of filmmakers who share their experiences regarding the haphazard and excessively punitive judgments imposed by the MPAA, including notable names like John Waters, Mary Harron, Darren Aronofsky, Kevin Smith, Matt Stone, and Atom Egoyan.

Among the film’s striking revelations are several startling findings: it appears that many members of the ratings board either have children aged 18 and over or do not have children at all, despite the MPAA’s usual practice of hiring parents with kids between 5 and 17 years old. Additionally, the film suggests that the board imposes harsher scrutiny on homosexual content compared to heterosexual themes, supported by a statement from an MPAA spokesperson in USA Today asserting, > “We don’t create standards; we just follow them.”

Dick also uncovers alarming truths regarding the selection of the board’s raters, who often lack training and expertise in media literacy and child development. Key senior raters enjoy direct communication with studio personnel following film screenings in mandatory meetings. The film further notes the secrecy surrounding the MPAA’s appeals board, comprised largely of studio and movie theater chain executives, along with two clergymen—one from the Catholic faith and the other Protestant—whose potential voting power remains ambiguous.

The documentary made waves prior to its Sundance Film Festival debut after receiving an NC-17 rating for “some graphic sexual content.” At the festival, the film’s ongoing ratings deliberations and Dick’s appeal were incorporated into the narrative. However, due to significant changes made since the initial NC-17 rating, the film must undergo a resubmission process to receive any MPAA rating upon release.

This Film Is Not Yet Rated Timeline

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Director's Exploration

The film begins with Academy Award-nominated director Kirby Dick expressing concern over the authority of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). This becomes the catalyst for his investigative journey into the world of film ratings and censorship.

Engagement of Investigator

To delve deeper into his investigation, Dick hires private investigator Becky Altringer. Her role is to observe the MPAA headquarters and attempt to unveil the hidden secrets that govern film ratings in Hollywood.

MPAA Headquarters

Filmmaker Interviews

Throughout the documentary, Dick interviews a range of filmmakers including John Waters, Mary Harron, and Kevin Smith. They candidly share their personal experiences and frustrations with the MPAA's inconsistent and often severe judgmental processes.

Revelations on Raters

One of the film's striking revelations is the background of MPAA raters, many of whom lack parental experience with children in the target age group. This finding raises questions about the appropriateness and fairness of their ratings decisions.

Disparities in Content Ratings

The documentary points out that the MPAA seems to impose stricter scrutiny on homosexual content compared to heterosexual content. This is supported by commentary from an MPAA spokesperson, highlighting potential biases in their rating criteria.

Uncovering Board Secrecy

Dick uncovers troubling information regarding the MPAA's appeals board, which mainly consists of studio executives and clergy members. The lack of transparency surrounding their operations raises serious concerns about the influence of personal beliefs on film ratings.

Pre-Sundance Controversy

Before its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, the documentary attracted attention after receiving an NC-17 rating for graphic sexual content. This situation added more layers to the ongoing discussions about censorship in cinema.

Sundance Film Festival

Incorporation of Ratings Debates

During its presentation at Sundance, the film interweaves the ongoing rates deliberations and Dick's own appeal process into the overarching narrative. This creates a meta-commentary on the nature of filmmaking and its reception by regulatory boards.

Sundance Film Festival

Need for Resubmission

Following the significant changes made to the film after its initial NC-17 rating, it must undergo a resubmission process to obtain a new MPAA rating. This highlights the ongoing challenges filmmakers face within the rating system.

Questioning Standards

The documentary raises critical questions about the standards set by the MPAA, especially with the statement, 'We don't create standards; we just follow them.' This underscores the ambivalent relationship between art, morality, and censorship in film.

This Film Is Not Yet Rated Characters

Explore all characters from This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Kirby Dick

Kirby Dick is the Academy Award-nominated director and the primary investigator in the documentary. Passionate and determined, he seeks to expose the obscure workings of the MPAA and uncover truths about film censorship. His commitment to holding the MPAA accountable is a driving force throughout the film.

🎬 Director 🔍 Investigator

Becky Altringer

Becky Altringer is a private investigator hired by Kirby Dick to delve into the MPAA's operations. Her role emphasizes the lengths to which the filmmaker will go to reveal the hidden dynamics of the ratings board, showcasing a collaborative effort to unveil Hollywood’s secrets.

🔍 Investigator 🎥 Collaborator

This Film Is Not Yet Rated Settings

Learn where and when This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

The documentary does not specify a particular time period, instead, it addresses ongoing issues with film ratings and censorship that persist in contemporary cinema. The film reflects a modern critique of the film rating system as it stands today.

Location

MPAA Headquarters, Hollywood

The MPAA headquarters is located in Hollywood, the heart of the American film industry. This iconic place is known for its influence over film ratings and censorship policies that affect the distribution and reception of movies across the country.

🏢 Headquarters 🎥 Hollywood

This Film Is Not Yet Rated Themes

Discover the main themes in This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

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Censorship

Censorship is a prominent theme in the documentary, which explores how the MPAA harshly regulates content in films. The film reveals the biases and inconsistencies in the rating system, particularly towards certain themes like homosexuality, reflecting the ongoing societal debates about freedom of expression in art.

🤔

Identity

The film delves into the identities of the individuals behind the MPAA ratings board, emphasizing the secrecy that shrouds their decision-making processes. It raises questions about authority and the impact of anonymous powers on creative expression in cinema.

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Fairness

Fairness is critically examined as the documentary exposes the uneven application of standards by the MPAA. It showcases varying experiences of filmmakers regarding the ratings process, advocating for more equitable treatment across different types of content.

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This Film Is Not Yet Rated Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In a world where a single board’s seal can determine whether a film lights up multiplexes or fades into obscurity, this documentary lifts the curtain on the opaque machinery behind America’s film‑rating system. By weaving together candid interviews, archival footage, and on‑the‑ground observations, it invites viewers into the hidden corridors of an institution that shapes cultural conversation with a simple letter or number. The film’s premise is rooted in curiosity: what happens when the gatekeepers of public morality operate behind locked doors, and how does that influence the stories we get to see?

The tone balances investigative rigor with a quiet, almost conspiratorial humor, echoing the off‑beat sensibility of its creator. Kirby Dick steps into the frame not only as a filmmaker but as a determined explorer of bureaucratic opacity, his seasoned eye catching the contradictions and inconsistencies that many accept without question. His approach feels part journalism, part personal quest, as he seeks to understand the invisible hand that judges everything from graphic violence to nuanced representations of love.

To navigate this maze, Kirby Dick enlists the help of a private investigator, whose discreet surveillance adds a layer of sleuth‑film intrigue to the documentary’s structure. Along the way, a chorus of voices—including independent auteurs and studio veterans—share anecdotes that reveal the uneasy dance between artistic ambition and rating constraints. Their stories, delivered with a mix of candor and wit, underscore a shared sense of bewilderment and resilience in the face of an institution that often feels both omnipotent and arbitrary.

Ultimately, the film poses more questions than it answers, prompting audiences to consider how the balance between protection and suppression shapes the cinematic landscape. By shining a light on the people and processes behind those cryptic symbols, it encourages a broader dialogue about censorship, creative freedom, and the power structures that quietly dictate what we collectively experience on screen.

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