Latest news with #MaryPoppins
The Independent
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Why classic musical was the most complained about film last year
Mary Poppins was the most complained about film of 2024, receiving 56 objections to its rating change. The 1964 musical 's classification was updated from a U to a PG by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). The rating change was prompted by the use of the word 'hottentots' twice by the character Admiral Boom. The BBFC justified the PG rating by stating the discriminatory term was neither criticised nor condemned, posing a risk for young viewers. Other films like The Abyss, Dune: Part Two, and Saltburn also received complaints regarding their classifications in 2024.
Extra.ie
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Why was Mary Poppins the most complained about film from last year?
Disney classic Mary Poppins has become one of the most controversial films of 2024 due to its use of 'discriminatory wording'. The 1964 musical stars Julie Andrews as Mary alongside Dick Van Dyke as Bert, the chimney sweep. The childhood favourite was previously rated U (Universal) by the British Board of Film Classification but has since been reclassified as PG (Parental Guidance), now rejecting the idea that it is suitable for all audiences. Disney classic Mary Poppins has become one of the most controversial films of 2024 due to its use of discriminatory wording. Pic:The BBFC Annual Report and Accounts 2024 revealed that the reclassification was a point of anger for many with 56 complaints issued to them in 2024. The BBFC explained that the movie was re-classified ahead of a cinema re-release in 2024 for the film's 60th anniversary. 'In line with our current guidelines, the film exceeds the U category for language with use of the discriminatory term 'hottentots,'' they stated. The 1964 musical stars Julie Andrews as Mary alongside Dick Van Dyke as Bert, the chimney sweep. Pic: Disney The word is a derogatory term for an indigenous group of people from southern Africa, also known as the Khoikhoi. There are two uses of the word in Mary Poppins, one of which sees Admiral Boom (played by Reginald Owen) using the term to describe the chimney sweeps. The BBFC explained: 'While the film has historical contest, the two uses of the discriminatory term are neither criticised or condemned, increasing the risk that very young viewers might repeat it without realising the potential for offence.' Ten complaints were sent to the organisation about Barry Keoghan's Saltburn. Pic: Amazon Prime Video The report added that regular research confirms that a 'key concern' for parents is the possibility for children to be exposed to discriminatory language or behaviour. Mary Poppins was the most complained about with a total of 224 complaints regarding BBFC classifications in 2024. Ten complaints were sent to the organisation about Barry Keoghan's Saltburn. The movie is rated 15 with complaints coming in noting that the film's depiction of sexual obsession was 'too disturbing' for 15. BBFC responded: 'Given the blackly comic tone of the film and that the key scenes, while strong, lacked graphic nudity and other visual explicitness, Saltburn meets our strandards at a 15 classification.'
Metro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Mary Poppins is the most complained about film of 2024 over controversial slur
Mary Poppins has been named the most complained about film of 2024 following its use of discriminatory language. In rather surprising news, given the Disney family film's release in 1964, it still managed to attract ire and comment 60 years later. The popular musical starring screen legends Dame Julie Andrews as Mary and Dick Van Dyke as chimney sweep Bert respectively, has long been a childhood favourite and rated U (Universal) by the the British Board of Film Classification. Decades later, it was followed up by 2018 sequel Mary Poppins Returns, starring Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw and Emily Mortimer – as well as a delightful cameo return from Van Dyke. However, last year the organisation adjusted the rating of the original Mary Poppins, reclassifying it as a PG (Parental Guidance) and moving one step away from the suggestion that it was suitable for all audiences. It is this decision which sparked backlash, with the BBFC revealing in its annual report that of the 224 complaints it received in 2024, 56 of them were about Mary Poppins' reclassification. The BBFC had adjusted the movie's rating due to the use of the term 'Hottentots', which it classified as discriminatory language. Admiral Boom, portrayed by Reginald Owen, uses the word twice throughout the film, which was a Dutch racially loaded term, originally used in the 17th century by white Europeans to describe the Khoikhoi, a nomadic indigenous population of South Africa. Thought to be one of the oldest people in the world, the Khoikhoi were driven off their land by white colonial expansion. As the Dutch took over land for farms, the Khoikhoi were dispossessed, killed, or enslaved. Those who chose to remain ended up as farm labourers for the invading settlers. At one stage, Admiral Boom dangles from the roof in a boat and asks if one of the Banks children is off to 'fight' them. Later in the film, he also uses the term to describe the chimney sweeps, with their faces blackened by soot, and says they're being 'attacked' by them. The BBFC report, which also shared that Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace is now a PG, also revealed that the complaints were requesting the classification remain unchanged because, although offensive, it is now considered outdated and the same term has also appeared in other films. However, the report argued: 'The two uses of the discriminatory term 'hottentots' are neither criticised nor condemned, increasing the risk that very young viewers might repeat it without realising the potential for offence.' It added: 'Regular research tells us that a key concern for parents is the potential for children to be exposed to discriminatory language or behaviour which they may find distressing or repeat without realising the potential offence.' Others hit back at the decision when Mary Poppins' new classification became public knowledge in February 2024, calling it 'plain ridiculous' and 'strange'. Defending its decision at the time, a BBFC spokesperson told Metro: 'While Mary Poppins has a historical context, the use of discriminatory language is not condemned, and ultimately exceeds our guidelines for acceptable language at U. We therefore classified the film PG for discriminatory language. 'For context, we only review (and potentially reclassify) previously classified content when it's been formally resubmitted to us.' Elsewhere, James Cameron's sci-fi thriller The Abyss received the second largest number of complaints, at 17, following a rumour that a new 4K cinema release had been cancelled owing to concerns over a scene in which a live rat is submerged in liquid. More Trending The BBFC clarified that it had had concerns when the film was originally submitted in 1989 that the scene constituted the 'cruel infliction of terror' on an animal and therefore contravened the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937. It confirmed the organisation's stance had not changed and that the scene had been re-edited in all versions of the film classified by the BBFC since then. Other films' ratings which drew formal complaints included that of Dune: Part Two due to its knife fight between Timothée Chalamet and Austin Butler's characters, and Saltburn, with people arguing its 'depiction of sexual obsession was too disturbing for [a rating of] 15′. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Iconic star, 99, sparks concern after dropping out of event due to illness
Euronews
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Why is this children's classic Britain's most complained about film?
2024 was a great year for cinema, and several films that made our year featured some NSFW content. Whether it was the nudity in Anora, the colourful language in Kneecap, the grotesque body horror in The Substance or some of the gorgeous yet horrific tableaus in The Devil's Bath, there was plenty to keep censors busy. Still, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has revealed that none of these films were in consideration for the most complained about movie of 2024. It turns out that the new age rating given to a beloved classic caused the biggest stink... In their annual report, the BBFC reveals that its decision to reclassify the 1964 classic Mary Poppins, starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, from a U (Universal – suitable for all) to a PG (Parental Guidance) has made it the most complained about movie of 2024. According to the BBFC, of the 224 complaints made during the year, 56 were for Mary Poppins – meaning it came ahead of complaints about knife fights in Dune: Part Two and that sex scene in Saltburn. So, why was Mary Poppins' rating changed? It all comes down to the word 'hottentots' – which is used twice in the film by the character Admiral Boom, who refers to chimney sweeps covered in soot. Hottentots is a slur originally used by Dutch settlers in South Africa – and was later used to refer to all Black people. Those complaining to the BBFC deemed the discriminatory term to be too outdated and wanted the rating to remain unchanged David Austin, chief executive of the BBFC said: 'The two uses of the discriminatory term 'hottentots' are neither criticised nor condemned, increasing the risk that very young viewers might repeat it without realising the potential for offence.' Elsewhere, there were 17 complaints regarding the 1989 sci-fi classic The Abyss - regarding rumours that the film had been cancelled because of BBFC advice concerning a scene in which a man submerges a live rat in liquid – and Dune Part Two got 13 complaints from people feeling that the 12A (no one younger than 12 may be permitted to attend a 12A cinema screening unless they are accompanied by an adult) was too lenient. Rounding things off was the dark comedy Saltburn, which tallied ten complaints after being rated 15 for 'strong sex, nudity, sexual threat, drug misuse and very strong language'. Austin said: 'Those who got in touch with us generally felt that the film's depiction of sexual obsession was too disturbing for 15. Given the blackly comic tone of the film and that the key scenes, while strong, lacked graphic nudity and other visual explicitness, Saltburn meets our standards at a 15 classification.' The current UK ratings are U, PG, 12A/12, 15, 18 and R18. You can read all about the UK's precise – some might say illiberal – classification system here. And in case you missed it, check out our Top Movies of 2024 here. And remember: "Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, in the most delightful way!"
The Independent
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
The unlikely film named as 2024's most complained about after rating change
Mary Poppins was the most complained about film of 2024, receiving 56 objections after its rating was changed. The 1964 musical's classification was updated from a U to a PG by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). The rating change was prompted by the use of the word 'hottentots' twice by the character Admiral Boom. The BBFC justified the PG rating by stating the discriminatory term was neither criticised nor condemned, posing a risk for young viewers. Other films like The Abyss, Dune: Part Two, and Saltburn also received complaints regarding their classifications in 2024.
