|
Republic
of Latvia
Cabinet
Regulation No. 587
Adopted 29 June 2010
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Regulations
Regarding the Classification of Films
Issued pursuant
to
Section 6, Paragraph two of the
Film Law
1. This Regulation prescribes the criteria for assignment of
film classification indices and the procedures by which film
producers or distributors classify the films distributed in the
territory of the Republic of Latvia according to the film
classification indices, as well as indicate the film
classification indices.
2. Film classification indices shall be assigned to all films
which are distributed in the territory of Latvia:
2.1. upon showing films to the public;
2.2. upon distributing film recordings; and
2.3. upon transmitting films in programmes of television
broadcasters or on electronic networks.
3. In accordance with the criteria for assignment of film
classification indices referred to in the Annex to this
Regulation, a film producer or a film distributor shall determine
one of the following film classification indices for a film:
3.1. U (for universal audience - the film is suitable for
persons of all age groups);
3.2. 7+ (the film is suitable for a person who has reached at
least 7 years of age);
3.3. 12+ (the film is suitable for a person who has reached at
least 12 years of age);
3.4. 16+ (the film is suitable for a person who has reached at
least 16 years of age); or
3.5. 18+ (the film is not suitable for a minor).
4. If the film producer has specified a film classification
index pursuant to this Regulation, the film distributor shall
take into account the film classification index specified by the
film producer.
5. The film distributor has a duty to make the film
classification index known to film viewers (consumers) in a
clearly visible, understandable and unequivocal manner (for
example, by indicating it on the film recording or the packaging
thereof, placing it on posters and other film advertising and
informative materials, indicating it prior to or during showing
or transmission of the film).
6. It is prohibited to distribute a film which has been
classified with the film classification index 18+ to persons who
are younger than 18 years. In order to ascertain the age of the
film viewer (consumer), the film distributor has a duty to
request that the film viewer (consumer) presents a personal
identification document. Upon the request of the film distributor
or control authority, the film viewer (consumer) has a duty to
certify his or her identity and age by presenting a personal
identification document.
7. Cabinet Regulation No. 457 of 17 June 2008, Regulations
Regarding the Classification of Films (Latvijas
Vēstnesis, 2008, No. 98) is repealed.
8. It is allowed to distribute films, which are legally
produced or released in circulation in any of the European Union
Member States or Turkey or which are legally produced in any of
the Member States of the European Free Trade Association, which
are parties of the Agreement on the European Economic Area,
without additional labelling in Latvia.
Prime Minister V. Dombrovskis
Minister for Culture I. Dālderis
Annex
Cabinet Regulation
No. 587
29 June 2010
Criteria for
the Classification of Films
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No.
|
Explanations
|
Age group
|
|
universal audience (U)
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7+
|
12+
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16+
|
18+
|
| 1. |
General explanations |
Film is suitable for persons of
all ages |
Film is suitable for persons who
have reached at least 7 years of age |
Film is suitable for persons who
have reached at least 12 years of age |
Film is suitable for persons who
have reached at least 16 years of age |
Film is not suitable for
minors |
| 2. |
Content |
Restrictions on the distribution
of films containing harmful content |
Restrictions on the distribution
of films containing harmful content |
Restrictions on the distribution
of films containing harmful content |
Restrictions on the distribution
of films containing harmful content |
No restrictions |
| 3. |
Theme |
Interpretation of problematic
themes is reasonable and appropriate for children |
Interpretation of problematic
themes is reasonable and appropriate for children |
Problematic themes are
admissible with a layout, which is appropriate for
adolescents |
No restrictions |
No restrictions |
| 4. |
Language |
The use of swear words is
inadmissible |
The use of swear words is
inadmissible |
The use of swear words is rare
and justified by the context of the film without indications
to sexual, psychological, physical and any other
violence |
The use of swear words without
indications to sexual, psychological, physical and any other
violence is admissible |
No restrictions |
| 5. |
Nudity |
Nudity is admissible in
individual scenes without a sexual context |
Nudity without a sexual context
is admissible |
Nudity in a sexual context is
admissible, however, the scenes are shown without an emphasis
on details |
Nudity in a sexual context is
admissible, however, the scenes are shown without an emphasis
on details |
No restrictions |
| 6. |
Sex |
Individual indirect indications
to sexual behaviour are admissible |
Individual indirect indications
to sexual behaviour are admissible |
Indications to sexual behaviour
are admissible |
Showing of sexual behaviour that
is justified by the content is admissible without an emphasis
on details |
No restrictions |
| 7. |
Violence or cruel behaviour |
Individual indirect mentions of
violence or cruel behaviour that are justified by the content
are admissible Slightly expressed threats or fear. Showing of
details is inadmissible |
Individual indirect mentions of
violence or cruel behaviour that are justified by the content
are admissible Slightly expressed threats or fear. Showing of
details is inadmissible |
Violence or cruel behaviour that
is justified by the content is admissible. Showing of details
is inadmissible Physical injuries or blood are not
emphasised. Mentions of sexual violence or short scenes
thereof without showing of physical details are
admissible |
Violence or cruel behaviour that
is justified by the content is admissible. Showing of details
is inadmissible Physical injuries or blood are not
emphasised. Scenes of sexual violence are discreet and
short |
No restrictions |
| 8. |
Guns and other imitable
techniques |
Only individual references to
the use of actual guns and other imitable techniques that are
justified by the content are admissible |
Idealisation of actual,
including modern, guns is not allowed. Detailed showing of
fights or other dangerous actions is inadmissible |
It is not allowed to include
imitable details of dangerous actions (for example, fights,
hanging, suicides). Idealisation of actual, including modern,
guns is not allowed |
Detailed showing of techniques
of dangerous types of sports is not allowed. It is not
allowed to emphasise the use of easily available lethal
weapons (especially knives) |
No restrictions |
| 9. |
Horror |
Horror effects are slightly
expressed and short. Scenes have positive denouement |
Scary prolonged or intense
scenes are not allowed. Showing of science fiction is
admissible as a factor that reduces the impression |
Prolonged or detailed showing of
causing pain or injuries is not admissible |
Prolonged or detailed showing of
causing pain or injuries is not admissible |
No restrictions |
| 10. |
The use of narcotic and other
addictive substances |
Individual short indications to
the use of narcotic and other addictive substances are
allowed, however, they must be justified by the content,
indicating the danger of such action. Elements of
instructions for use are inadmissible |
Individual short indications to
the use of narcotic and other addictive substances are
allowed, however, they must be justified by the content,
indicating the danger of such action. Elements of
instructions for use are inadmissible |
Individual short indications to
the use of narcotic and other addictive substances are
allowed, however, they must be justified by the context of
the film and they indicate the danger of such action.
Elements of instructions for use are inadmissible |
Showing of the use of narcotic
and other addictive substances is admissible without open
instructive details. The film as a whole is not allowed to
advertise or promote the use of narcotic and other addictive
substances |
No restrictions |
Minister for Culture I. Dālderis
Translation © 2010 Valsts valodas centrs (State
Language Centre)
