It’s always interesting to see what media content gets banned in particular countries, and under what conditions. For example, in the UK — a country with very high personal debt levels and … how to put this delicately … a drinking problem — the average television viewer is bombarded with repeated adverts for ‘hassle-free’ consumer credit and beer. Constantly. But the regulation of media content never seems to really track the most important social problems.

Anyway, with that in mind, the British Board of Film Classification — BBFC today refused to issue a certificate to Manhunt 2 - a violent video game. The Guardian reports in part:

Issuing a certificate to Manhunt 2 would risk the possibility of “unjustifiable harm” to adults and minors, the BBFC concluded.

“Manhunt 2 is distinguishable from recent high-end video games by its unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone in an overall game context which constantly encourages visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing,” said [the BBFC].

“There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game.

“The game’s unrelenting focus on stalking and brutal slaying and the sheer lack of alternative pleasures on offer to the gamer, together with the different overall narrative context, contribute towards differentiating this submission from the original Manhunt game.”

* * *

I wonder how the BBFC will deal with Grindhouse?