Our monthly update shines a spotlight on the great work done to inform and empower New Zealanders
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NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER
Kia ora koutou
Our featured decisions on our website continue to be sought after, providing content breakdowns on popular titles. Last month thousands of people read our content detail about Monster: The Ed Gein Story. This month, less gory but still violent is new release Frankenstein which is now on Netflix after a run at the cinemas. And in this newsletter we highlight All's Fair, Bugonia, and NZ feature film Pike River which is leading the local box office charts.
Our newsletters generally talk about topics like sex, drugs, and the media content landscape. Our aim is to have difficult conversations and shine a light on ways to reduce harm for New Zealanders. If you know someone who should receive these updates, please share our newsletter or encourage them to subscribe. Be sure to follow our socials and LinkedIn too.
Aroha atu, aroha mai, tātou i a tātou
Let’s look out for each other
— Chief Censor Caroline Flora
#Mātakitahi #WatchTogether #Kōrerotahi #TalkTogether
Image: Oscar Isaac in Frankenstein
Mental Health Awareness
Following on from Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW), we're profiling the guest blogs from our Youth Advisory Panel (YAP). In the lead-up to MHAW we sat down with our YAP to talk mental health and illness content on social media, in films, and in series, and the impact certain portrayals can have on young people.
Kaitlyn writes about Taking a step back when content becomes overwhelming. Kaitlyn writes about her perspective.
Recently, my social media has been flooded with content that contains violence and gore. I know that I am privileged to be able to stay informed and have the knowledge about what is happening in the world, but sometimes content can become overwhelming. It’s normal for us to not be desensitised to content, and it’s normal to take a step back for your own mental health, finding ways to distract ourselves from the violence.
Ilja writes about Mental health buzzwords: What are they and why should you care?
By using terms or phrases such as ‘I’m so OCD’, when referring to being clean, or ‘everyone's a bit autistic’, when that’s simply not true can oversimplify the significance of these disorders and people's lived experience of them. As a student, I hear these used a lot by my peers and it makes me realise how people are often not aware about how their words can hurt others.
Wellington City Library Rangatahi Short Film Competition
Our office recently supported a local short film competition for young people, run by the Wellington City Library. Our Information Unit manager was a 'special' judge, and she found the standard of the three finalist entries to be clever, engaging and professional. Ka rawe!
"I was so impressed by the creativity and talent of these young filmmakers. Their storytelling and production skills were incredible and I wouldn’t be surprised if, one day, films made by them come through our office for classification."
Congratulations to Team 'Death for the Camera', Team 'For Tori', and Team 'Dear Me'. Read the full announcement on the Wellington City Library website.
Image courtesy of WCL: Winner Elina receives the Grand Prize from Head Judge Caitlin W and Children and Youth Librarian Merritt.
Stream, Don't Scream: Choosing films and series safely for a Halloween sleepover
Every Halloween season we take a look at scary movies over on the blog. This time Jess takes a look at the common scenario of a sleepover tied in with this festive occasion.
"When I was 13, I went to a Halloween sleepover and my horror-obsessed bestie snuck on a film we definitely shouldn’t have been watching. I barely slept for a week and I still remember some moments vividly. That moment of “too scary, too soon” is something most parents remember – and it’s worth avoiding with a bit of prep."
Do you have a suggested title you'd like to see us feature in our Find a Rating section of classificationoffice.govt.nz? Get in touch at info@classificationoffice.govt.nz with your request.
Why did Pike River get this rating?
M: Offensive language
Based on the Pike River tragedy of 2010, this drama captures the profound impact of one of the worst mining disasters in New Zealand's history.
Pike River was rated by FVLB and received an M with a content warning for offensive language. Read our breakdown of this rating.
Why did Bugonia get this classification?
R16: Graphic violence, cruelty, offensive language, suicide
Two conspiracy theorists kidnap a high-profile CEO, who they believe is an alien planning to destroy the human race. Starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemmons.
Bugonia was classified by the Office and received an R16 with content warnings for graphic violence, cruelty, offensive language, and suicide. Read our breakdown of this classification.
Why did All's Fair get this rating?
16: Sexual violence, sex scenes, suicide, offensive language
At an elite divorce firm in L.A., betrayal and billion-dollar breakups are all in a day’s work.
All's Fair was self-rated by Netflix and received a 16 with content warnings for sexual violence, sex scenes, suicide, and offensive language. Read our breakdown of the rating for the first three episodes.
Because our work requires a broad knowledge of the vast online landscape, we consume a lot of media in the office. Here are just a few of the things we’ve found relevant and informative over the past month. Take a break with these media lunch items:
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