With the news that censors had some issues with the film, the British Board of Film Classification’s PG certificate for the new Paddington Bear movie has left many parents baffled.
The family movie, released in Irish cinemas on November 28th, failed to get a ‘Universal’ rating in the UK, with the BBFC citing sex, behaviour, threats, and language as possible points of contention.
The first issue is a scene in which a “man disguised as a woman is flirted with by another man," flagged by censors as 'mild innuendo'. Another problem is the behaviour of the Peruvian marmalade-loving bear, who hides in a refrigerator and rides a skateboard while holding on to a bus. The BBFC expressed concerns that children might seek to emulate Paddington's stunts.
The palpable sense of dread that permeates the movie also raised concerns; Paddington is seen running from an earthquake in the jungle and is threatened with taxidermy by the film’s villain, Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman. The film censors were worried young viewers would find the film frightening.
And finally, the mumbling of the word ‘bloody’ was enough to push the film into the ‘Parental Guidance’ bracket.
Here at home, the Irish Film Censors’ Office passed the film with a U-rating on Monday:
[Screenshot: IFCO]
You can see the trailer for Paddington, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Bonneville below:
