07-29-2003, 09:34 AM
Sometimes I don't know whether to laugh or cry when I read such things as "Let's keep this PG 13". That's a filmterature censorship standard that exists in one part of the world, based on cultural hangups (or lack thereof) that is frequently out of step with other countries. And yet an international community comes together and tries to fall into some semblance of 'good taste' as dictated by one host party. It's hard work when the dictates one attempts to adhere to are significantly different from you own cultural norms . . .
As an example of some differences, I have sat and watched a film on television in Denmark that quite innocently had full frontal nudity from both male and female cast members. It was in a 3 pm time slot on national television. On an international scale this would be considered a very liberal view towards nudity.
Violence has different levels of acceptability depending on who you ask. American made games seem to describe a level of cultural acceptance for violent content viewable by a young age group that is far in excess of what I'm used to here in New Zealand. I don't know what the rating for LoD is elsewhere, but here it's a red lable R16, meaning it should not be sold to persons under the age of 16. England displayed an interesting example of censorship in Fellowship of the Ring where some people reported a second or two of footage was cut from the theatrical release (Aragorn/Lurtz fight) to preserve a lower rating. Then there was the incident with the American release of Carmaggedon . . . Yeah, changing the blood from red to green for that lower rating will preserve the moral fibre of the youth of today while they get extra points by reversing over Aunty Dawn for the third time . . . err. :unsure:
:blink:
Offensive Language is an intriguing subject. 'Swear words' in various languages differ from culture to culture based on various societies' hangups. Like for those of us speaking English swearing leans towards sexual references, reproductive organs, and bodily deposits (mostly a carry over from Victorian times), which many these days find more humourous than offensive. Should I choose to colourfully swear at people in Danish I'd be associating them with Satan and so forth, because the old verbalized societal hangups are based on a biblical foundation. You devil you. :lol:
PG 13?
*shrugs*
Whatever that means.
As an example of some differences, I have sat and watched a film on television in Denmark that quite innocently had full frontal nudity from both male and female cast members. It was in a 3 pm time slot on national television. On an international scale this would be considered a very liberal view towards nudity.
Violence has different levels of acceptability depending on who you ask. American made games seem to describe a level of cultural acceptance for violent content viewable by a young age group that is far in excess of what I'm used to here in New Zealand. I don't know what the rating for LoD is elsewhere, but here it's a red lable R16, meaning it should not be sold to persons under the age of 16. England displayed an interesting example of censorship in Fellowship of the Ring where some people reported a second or two of footage was cut from the theatrical release (Aragorn/Lurtz fight) to preserve a lower rating. Then there was the incident with the American release of Carmaggedon . . . Yeah, changing the blood from red to green for that lower rating will preserve the moral fibre of the youth of today while they get extra points by reversing over Aunty Dawn for the third time . . . err. :unsure:
:blink:
Offensive Language is an intriguing subject. 'Swear words' in various languages differ from culture to culture based on various societies' hangups. Like for those of us speaking English swearing leans towards sexual references, reproductive organs, and bodily deposits (mostly a carry over from Victorian times), which many these days find more humourous than offensive. Should I choose to colourfully swear at people in Danish I'd be associating them with Satan and so forth, because the old verbalized societal hangups are based on a biblical foundation. You devil you. :lol:
PG 13?
*shrugs*
Whatever that means.
Heed the Song of Battle and Unsheath the Blades of War