Film Review

Philosophy: Film is an important medium of communication in our contemporary culture because of the combined impact of visual and auditory impressions upon the viewer. Its usefulness for instruction and entertainment gives it a
valuable place in an academic community.

Houghton College, in seeking to enrich the social, cultural, and academic experiences of the student body, allows those films to be shown on campus whose content, message, and quality do not conflict with its objectives as a Christian liberal arts college. The following guidelines have been established to ensure the quality and moral content of films
shown on campus.

1. FILM SELECTION

       A. Classroom use
       Faculty members may choose films of scientific and educational value for use in their classes. The audience in
       such cases is limited to the class or classes involved, and the faculty member is responsible for providing an
       appropriate content for the viewing of the film. Such films do not need to be approved by the Campus
       Activities Committee.
       B. Club or organization use
       Any club or student group which limits attendance at a film strictly to its membership may show films in the
       same way that classroom presentations are handled. The advisor of the organization is responsible for
       providing an appropriate context for viewing the film. If the group desires to show the film to a larger audience
       beyond its membership, it must seek the approval of the CAC 30 days in advance.
       C. Special Events
       Films shown as part of a Current Issues Day or Black History Month presentation, etc. are selected by the
       organizing committee for their effectiveness in dealing with the special topic under consideration. The CAC
       should be informed about the nature of these films.
       D. General Campus use
       Generally films shown on campus are chosen by the CAB . Films are rated "G", "PG", PG-13" or "R" (film
       industry ratings. Occasionally an exceptional film with an "R" rating may be brought to campus for review
       because of its redeeming educational, historical, and social value. Also, films without ratings may be
       considered for review. Films must be brought to the CAC one semester prior to showing. All films requiring
       review by the Film Review Team must be reviewed at least one week prior to show date.
       E. Short sessions
       Films shown during Mayterm and summer school are subject to the same approval and review procedures that
       apply during the regular academic year.
       F. Residence Halls/ College Owned Houses
       "G" and"PG" movies may be shown for recreational purposes in the public areas of residence halls and college
       owned houses such as main or floor lounges (see video policy)
       G. Other Groups
       Any other groups desiring to show films on campus need to obtain the approval of the Campus Activities
       Committee at least 30 days in advance.
       H. Ordering
       All films for public showing must be proposed to the Office of Student Life Office before ordering. When the
       list of films is proposed, it should include each films rating, video release date, and the availability of an edited
       version.
 
       2. FILM APPROVAL
       A. Requests to present films for public viewing must be presented to the CAC at lease one semester in advance
       of the scheduled showing. If the film is rated G, the preview required is waived. Otherwise, the film must be
       previewed by the Film Review Team at least one month prior to show date.
       B. The Film Review Teams consists of the Director of Student Programs and one student representative from
       the CAC. In the event that one of these people is unable to review a film, alternates will be: the Associate Dean
       of Office of Student Life (for the Director of Student Programs) and the second student on the CAC. A careful
       record of the films which are reviewed should be made and should contain the disposition of the films with a
       notation of any special consideration about the films to help future selection and approval procedures. In the
       case of a tie, the written reviews will be brought to the designated chair of CAC who will break the tie based
       on the written review and discussion with the reviewers. The chair may choose to view the film before making
       a decision.
       C. Films shown at Houghton College are expected to exhibit literary, dramatic, aesthetic, and technical
       excellence. A film with a theme which is otherwise acceptable but which is weak or shoddy from a dramatic or
       technical standpoint may be unacceptable on these grounds alone. On the other hand, a film which is otherwise
       acceptable from a dramatic or technical standpoint may be rejected on the basis of its overall theme.
       D. At Houghton, students are encouraged to confront perspectives other than those compatible with
       evangelical Christianity. In choosing and evaluating a movie, the overall theme presented needs to be
       considered in the context of our evangelical Christian beliefs. A balance is needed to allow films that provide
       broad exposure to the world in which we live and which may have quality production, plot and acting can be
       rejected with respect to its central theme.
       E. If a film whose central theme is accepted for its value in presenting a non-Christian view, the showing will
       be preceded by presentation of the following notice at the ticket counter, and on the screen:
       NOTICE: This film has been approved by the Film Review Team because of its overall value. However, this
       approval does not imply endorsement by the committee, Houghton College, its trustees, or surrounding
       community of all the activities and attitudes exhibited and/or endorsed by the film. The film does contain
       scenes, language, or underlying philosophy which may be considered objectionable.
       The FRT may decide to change or add to this disclaimer based on film-specific concerns. The Film Review
       Team will make the sponsoring organization responsible to publicize the disclaimer/warning both in its
       promotional advertising and at the event.
       3. FILM REVIEW PROCEDURES

A. The Film Review Team will consider the educational/historical value, cultural/social value, entertainment value.
artistic value and the permeating moral attitudes when making a decision. Although each film may not represent all of
these values, careful consideration of these values should be a part of the committee's deliberations. With respect to
these qualities, paragraphs 2c,2d,and 2e must have major emphasis in the decisions-making process.

B.Although no one can specify precise criteria for evaluating a film, the FRT recognizes the need for some established
guidelines by which to consider the appropriateness of a given film for a Houghton audience. The following is a list of
criteria and procedures to be considered and used. (The categories were adopted from "Sophisticated Films Movie
Guide", a publication of Clem Williams Films, Inc.) These categories provide ranges for use in judging films; they do
not describe what Houghton College condones or allows in any given instance.

C. Criteria

       Violence
       A. No violence.
       B. Some implied violence.
       C. Some overt violence scenes necessary to the progression of the plot.
       D. Violent, implicit and/or bloody scenes; explicit scenes.
       E. Excessive, gratuitous violence unnecessary to the plot.
       Profanity/Blasphemy/Obscenity
       Profane-not concerned with religion or religious purposes; serving to debase or defile what is holy
       Blaspheme- to speak of or address with irreverence.Obscene-disgusting to the senses; repulsive; abhorrent to
       morality or virtue; designed to incite to lust or depravity.
       A. No profanity, obscenity, or blasphemy.
       B. Infrequent use of profanity ( a few "damns" or "hells". Occasional use of God's name) to express surprise,
       awe, or disgust as heard on network T.V.
       C. More frequent or stronger use of some obscenity ("shit", "ass", "son of a bitch", "damns" or "hells", etc.
       Occasional use of God's name to shock or surprise.
       D. Frequent use of the above language. Frequent use of God's name in a distinct and blasphemous way.
       E. Profanity, obscenity, or blasphemy pervasive throughout the entire movie. Most characters, most scenes.
       Nudity
       A. No nudity or implications to suggest such.
       B. No nudity, but occasionally a few scenes with a person scantily clad or in underwear.
       C. Limited glimpses of backside exposure or breast.
       D. Some exposure of backside, but definitely no frontal nudity.
       E. Frontal nudity or exposure of backside or breast as part of a sexual act or frontal nudity.
       Sex
       A. No sex or implied sexual situations.
       B. Some minor, implied sexual situations, including verbal suggestions.
       C. Some implied and infrequently overt sexual situations.
       D. Fairly strong sexual situations, such as in bed together in a provocative scene. No explicit scenes are
       shown.
       E. Explicit sexual scenes shown.
       Course or Objectional Content
       Improper sexist, racist, sacrilegious comments or situations, and crude references to anatomy or sexual
       situations.
       A. None
       B. A few minor comments or situations
       C. Several crude or over references ( or frequent use by anti-hero)
       D. Frequent coarse language or situations
       E. Coarse or objectionable content pervasive throughout the entire movie. Most characters, most scenes.
       F. Before discussion of movie, each team member will give the film a rating in each category. The team will
       then discuss the educational, cultural, entertainment, artistic, moral, and permeating attitudes of the film. The
       team will then discuss the criteria areas. If either team member gives a movie an "E" rating in any of the criteria
       areas, the movie automatically fails. The team will then discuss the overall rating of the film. If both members
       pass a movie the decision stands. If both members fail a movie the decision also stands. In case of a tie, the
       written reviews as well a verbal review will be given to the designated chair of CAC who may or may not
       choose to view the film and then break the tie, in which case the chair's decision will stand.
       G. In its minutes, the Film Review Team must state the names of members present but not their votes. The
       Team will provide statements for publicity posters when its deemed appropriate.

Approved Fall 1993