3 films fit for family viewing; others bear R-16 and R-18 rating

This week’s line up of “now showing”  films carry three rated PGs (Parental Guidance), while other films were rated R-16 (Restricted-16) and R-18 (Restricted 18) from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

A PG classification may contain themes, language, violence, nudity, sex, or horror, treated in a manner suitable for children under 13, provided they are accompanied by parents or supervising adults, according to MTRCB Chairperson and CEO Lala Sotto-Antonio.

The local film, "When the World Met Miss Probinsyana," by Global Impact Productions Inc., received a PG rating. The review committee of Board Members (BM) Jan Marini Alano, Racquel Maria Cruz, and Richard John Reynoso, said the film contains mature themes, situations and scenes, including mental health issues, that require parental supervision for viewers under 13.

The Korean action movie, "Project Silence," starring Lee Sun-kyun, Ju Ji-hoon, and Kim Hee-won, also received a PG rating. The review committee of BMs Cruz, Reynoso, and Antonio Reyes, said the film contains mild and swear words, menacing language, and graphic depictions of violence and suffering.

The same PG rating was given to "Borderlands" by Pioneer Films. The film was reviewed by BMs Cruz, Federico Moreno, and Lillian Ng Gui, who said the science fiction comedy depicts gun violence and mature language within its dystopian theme.

Given an R-16 rating (16 and above) is the romantic drama film, "It Ends With Us," by Columbia Pictures Industries Inc. BMs Cruz, JoAnn Bañaga, and Wilma Galvante cited graphic but non-gratuitous depictions of violence and non-graphic depictions of sexual activity.

"Unang Tikim" by Viva Communications, Inc. has two ratings of R-16 and R-18. Under R-18 is for 18 and above only. BMs Gui, Juan Revilla, and Antonio Reyes said the film contains realistic depictions of sexual activity and sexually oriented nudity, which are unsuitable for viewers under 18.

The one with an R-16 rating (16 and above) was reviewed by BMs Galvante, Federico Moreno, and Jerry Talavera. They said the movie has sexually charged scenes and a mature plot depicting prolonged and extremely graphic multiple sex scenes, frontal nudity and laced with an explicit sexual language.

MTRCB Chair Sotto-Antonio reminded viewers, “MTRCB ratings are tools for informed decision-making. By promoting media literacy and responsible viewing, we're empowering our citizens to be critical, discerning consumers of content. This informed engagement with media is fundamental to building a more media-savvy and relevant Bagong Pilipinas."