Explaining the ratings

Re “Film could ease ratings stigma,” Sept. 28

There is some confusion surrounding the NC-17 rating for films. The rating is “reserved for sexually explicit movies,” according to The Times. In fact, the rating is for any film with content that elevates it to a level that the majority of parents would consider out of bounds for children under 17.

As it says on our website (filmratings.com) and in all of our public materials, “an NC-17 rating can be based on violence, sex, aberrational behavior, drug abuse or any other element that most parents would consider too strong and therefore off-limits for viewing by their children.”

The rating board initially gives many films an NC-17 for violence, but filmmakers edit those movies to achieve an R, which is why no one hears about those NC-17 ratings. This is an important distinction to make for people who rely on ratings to guide them in choosing movies.

Joan Graves

Chairman

Classification and

Rating Administration

Motion Picture Assn.

of America, Encino