This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006) on Netflix
NC-1720061h 38mDocumentary
The board that rates American films keeps its members' names secret. A filmmaker sets out to identify them and hires private investigator Becky Altringer to watch the board's headquarters.
- Netflix3.5/5
- IMDb7.4/1028,930 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes84%
Trailer
Plot summary
American films carry ratings issued by a board whose members are not identified by name. A filmmaker sets out to learn who they are and hires private investigator Becky Altringer to watch the board's headquarters. Filmmakers whose careers the ratings have affected describe the standards they encountered: violence and sex weighed differently, homosexual content treated more harshly than heterosexual content, and independent productions handled less generously than studio ones. Raters receive no training and are chosen because they lack expertise in child development and media literacy. An NC-17 keeps a film out of many theaters and stores, which falls hardest on independent filmmakers. The appeals board that hears challenges is made up largely of theater chain and studio executives, along with two clergy members.
Cast
- Jon Lewisas Self - Author of 'Hollywood v. Hardcore'
- David Ansenas Self - Film Critic at 'Newsweek'
- Martin Garbusas Self - First Amendment Attorney and Filmmakers Representative at Appeals
- Paul Dergarabedianas Self - Box Office Analyst
- Richard Heffneras Self - Former Rating Board Chairman
- Bingham Rayas Self - Co-Founder of October Films
- Joel Federmanas Self - Author of 'Media Ratings'
Show all 20 cast
- Jay Rosenzweigas Self - Private Investigator
- Paul Hueblas Self - Private Investigator
- Clark Bakeras Self - Private Investigator
- Becky Altringeras Self - Private Investigator
- Cheryl Howellas Self - Private Investigator
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- The MPAA rated an early version of the film NC-17 over some graphic sexual content; Dick appealed so the rating and appeals process would appear in the final version, which is not rated.
- Before Dick sent the film to the MPAA for a rating, he was assured no copies would be made or distributed; on January 24, 2006, the MPAA admitted making duplicates. Dick's lawyer Michael Donaldson requested that the MPAA destroy all copies and notify him of who had seen the film and received copies.
- Dick and his crew used private investigator Becky Altringer to unmask the identities of the ratings and appeals board members.
- After discovering studio licensing agreements would have barred him from using clips to criticize the entertainment industry, Dick and copyright attorney Michael C. Donaldson invoked fair use; the film's success spurred interest in fair use among documentary filmmakers.
