I was at a well attended public sports event Up North last week, with lots of children present. It was 31st October, so there was a Hallowe'en theme, including a fancy dress competition and the home team playing in themed shirts (which were then raffled off). During a rest period in the match, we were treated to Michael Jacksons 'Thriller' video. The uncut one that they wouldn't play on Top of the Pops, which has a 15 rating (originally 18).
Neither of my kids are anywhere near 15, and neither were scores of other children present. I've emailed the host venue to highlight the issue, and also BBFC to ask about the legality or otherwise of showing a 15 certificate film in a public venue with no warning or parental advisory.
Hallowe'en is getting worse by the year - this years pulling of mental patient 'costumes' by big high street names is the tip of the iceberg, there is a gruesome window display greeting you as you turn into the centre of Yeovil, zombies are murderers are taking over from pumpkins. Even Angry Birds has gone into overkill (sorry for the pun) with 4 weeks of Halloween (i.e. zombie pig) themed games on its Facebook app running deep into November.
I'm not an angry bird, just a parent feeling protective and besieged in equal measure. Hallowe'en is becoming a celebration of gold and gore, can I say 'enough' without being called a killjoy?
update: the BBFC have responded and are looking into it, no reply from the venue yet.
update 2: still no response from the venue, but here's the BBFC's email -
Dear David,
Thank you again for your query regarding
the screening of a sequence from Thriller at an ice hockey match.
As the venue was not a cinema we would
advise you to send your comments to the organisers of the event. If you
don't get a satisfactory response then you may wish to contact the appropriate
local council as they should be able to advise you on the matter.
I hope this information is helpful.
odd that the BBFC can't advise me on whether this was legal.
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