Why is this children's classic Britain's most complained about film?
Whether it was the nudity in Anora, the colourful language in Kneecap, the grotesque body horror in The Substance or some of the gorgeous yet horrific tableaus in The Devil's Bath, there was plenty to keep censors busy.
Still, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has revealed that none of these films were in consideration for the most complained about movie of 2024.
It turns out that the new age rating given to a beloved classic caused the biggest stink...
In their annual report, the BBFC reveals that its decision to reclassify the 1964 classic Mary Poppins, starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, from a U (Universal – suitable for all) to a PG (Parental Guidance) has made it the most complained about movie of 2024.
According to the BBFC, of the 224 complaints made during the year, 56 were for Mary Poppins – meaning it came ahead of complaints about knife fights in Dune: Part Two and that sex scene in Saltburn.
So, why was Mary Poppins' rating changed?
It all comes down to the word 'hottentots' – which is used twice in the film by the character Admiral Boom, who refers to chimney sweeps covered in soot.
Hottentots is a slur originally used by Dutch settlers in South Africa – and was later used to refer to all Black people.
Those complaining to the BBFC deemed the discriminatory term to be too outdated and wanted the rating to remain unchanged
David Austin, chief executive of the BBFC said: 'The two uses of the discriminatory term 'hottentots' are neither criticised nor condemned, increasing the risk that very young viewers might repeat it without realising the potential for offence.'
Elsewhere, there were 17 complaints regarding the 1989 sci-fi classic The Abyss - regarding rumours that the film had been cancelled because of BBFC advice concerning a scene in which a man submerges a live rat in liquid – and Dune Part Two got 13 complaints from people feeling that the 12A (no one younger than 12 may be permitted to attend a 12A cinema screening unless they are accompanied by an adult) was too lenient.
Rounding things off was the dark comedy Saltburn, which tallied ten complaints after being rated 15 for 'strong sex, nudity, sexual threat, drug misuse and very strong language'.
Austin said: 'Those who got in touch with us generally felt that the film's depiction of sexual obsession was too disturbing for 15. Given the blackly comic tone of the film and that the key scenes, while strong, lacked graphic nudity and other visual explicitness, Saltburn meets our standards at a 15 classification.'
The current UK ratings are U, PG, 12A/12, 15, 18 and R18. You can read all about the UK's precise – some might say illiberal – classification system here. And in case you missed it, check out our Top Movies of 2024 here.
And remember: "Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, in the most delightful way!"
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Euronews
28-07-2025
- Euronews
Why is this children's classic Britain's most complained about film?
2024 was a great year for cinema, and several films that made our year featured some NSFW content. Whether it was the nudity in Anora, the colourful language in Kneecap, the grotesque body horror in The Substance or some of the gorgeous yet horrific tableaus in The Devil's Bath, there was plenty to keep censors busy. Still, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has revealed that none of these films were in consideration for the most complained about movie of 2024. It turns out that the new age rating given to a beloved classic caused the biggest stink... In their annual report, the BBFC reveals that its decision to reclassify the 1964 classic Mary Poppins, starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, from a U (Universal – suitable for all) to a PG (Parental Guidance) has made it the most complained about movie of 2024. According to the BBFC, of the 224 complaints made during the year, 56 were for Mary Poppins – meaning it came ahead of complaints about knife fights in Dune: Part Two and that sex scene in Saltburn. So, why was Mary Poppins' rating changed? It all comes down to the word 'hottentots' – which is used twice in the film by the character Admiral Boom, who refers to chimney sweeps covered in soot. Hottentots is a slur originally used by Dutch settlers in South Africa – and was later used to refer to all Black people. Those complaining to the BBFC deemed the discriminatory term to be too outdated and wanted the rating to remain unchanged David Austin, chief executive of the BBFC said: 'The two uses of the discriminatory term 'hottentots' are neither criticised nor condemned, increasing the risk that very young viewers might repeat it without realising the potential for offence.' Elsewhere, there were 17 complaints regarding the 1989 sci-fi classic The Abyss - regarding rumours that the film had been cancelled because of BBFC advice concerning a scene in which a man submerges a live rat in liquid – and Dune Part Two got 13 complaints from people feeling that the 12A (no one younger than 12 may be permitted to attend a 12A cinema screening unless they are accompanied by an adult) was too lenient. Rounding things off was the dark comedy Saltburn, which tallied ten complaints after being rated 15 for 'strong sex, nudity, sexual threat, drug misuse and very strong language'. Austin said: 'Those who got in touch with us generally felt that the film's depiction of sexual obsession was too disturbing for 15. Given the blackly comic tone of the film and that the key scenes, while strong, lacked graphic nudity and other visual explicitness, Saltburn meets our standards at a 15 classification.' The current UK ratings are U, PG, 12A/12, 15, 18 and R18. You can read all about the UK's precise – some might say illiberal – classification system here. And in case you missed it, check out our Top Movies of 2024 here. And remember: "Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, in the most delightful way!"
France 24
24-07-2025
- France 24
Hungary bans Kneecap performance over 'antisemitic hate speech'
The Belfast group has made headlines in recent months after it sharply criticised Israel and its military campaign against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. Known for their confrontational style and Irish nationalist messaging, the band has denied supporting violence or banned groups. But their anti-Israel comments on stage at the Glastonbury Festival in June drew global condemnation. While Kneecap has denied any terrorism connection, singer Liam O'Hanna, known by his stage name Mo Chara, has been charged in the UK with a "terror" offence over alleged support for Hamas and Hezbollah in connection with a performance last year. He is due to appear in a London court in August. The rappers have been taken off the bill for festivals in Scotland and Germany this year because of the controversy. However, they are scheduled to appear at France's Rock en Seine on August 24. "Hungary's government has moved to ban @KneecapCEOL from entering the country and performing at @szigetofficial -- citing antisemitic hate speech and open praise for Hamas and Hezbollah as justification," government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs wrote on X. "Granting them a stage normalizes hate and terror, and puts democratic values on the line," Kovacs wrote, citing Hungary's "duty to protect" its Jewish community. The travel ban can be challenged within 30 days. Kneecap was scheduled to perform on August 11 at the Sziget festival in Budapest, which ranks among Europe's largest outdoor music bonanzas, drawing about 400,000 people each year. The trio denounced the decision by the "authoritarian government of Viktor Orban" on its social media channels as "outrageous", saying the move had "no legal basis". "It's clear this is a political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people" Kneecap said on X. 'Unprecedented move' Israeli ambassador to Budapest Maya Kadosh praised the Hungarian government for "its clear stance". Festival organisers, however, expressed regret over the "unprecedented move", warning it could "negatively affect Hungary's international standing". "We believe that cancel culture and cultural boycotts are not the solution," they said. Almost 300 Hungarian artists, including Oscar-winning film director Laszlo Nemes, joined a petition earlier protesting the trio's planned Sziget performance. Facing growing pressure, festival organiser Tamas Kadar said there was no "good answer" to the issue. "We do not tolerate hate speech in any form -- and that includes antisemitism," but "we remain committed to the spirit of free expression" and "will not act as censors", Kadar wrote in an op-ed published last week by a Hungarian newspaper. Hungary is one of Israel's closest allies in the European Union, with Prime Minister Viktor Orban directing police to ban pro-Palestinian rallies following the Hamas attack against Israel on October 7, 2023.
Euronews
24-07-2025
- Euronews
Irish rap band Kneecap banned from Hungary's Sziget festival
The backlash over freedom of speech and controversial Irish rappers Kneecap has intensified following Hungary's decision to ban the group from taking part in the Sziget festival. Government spokesperson Zoltán Kovács explained in a post on the X platform that the the decision to ban Kneecap from entering the country and from participating in the Sziget Festival, was due to statements deemed anti-Semitic and glorifying Hamas and Hezbollah. He later added that the immigration authorities had issued a formal decision to ban the band members from entering Hungary for three years, considering their presence a "serious threat to national security". The government had previously asked festival organisers to exclude the band from the event, which is one of Europe's biggest music festivals and attracts hundreds of thousands of music lovers to an island on the Danube every summer. Pro-Palestinian protests The Belfast-based band is known for its support of the Palestinian cause, which it openly expresses at its concerts. One of its most controversial recent appearances came at Britain's Glastonbury Festival, when lead singer Liam O'Hannah, better known by his stage name Mo Chara, accused Israel of committing war crimes. Last May, Mo Chara was charged with a terrorism-related offence in the UK for displaying a pro-Hezbollah flag. The artist denied the charge, and in previous statements, he emphasised that the band does not support either Hamas or Hezbollah, and that it "condemns all attacks on civilians, at all times". The band is by no means alone in expressing vocal support for the Palestinian cause and the enjoys enormous support from other dozens of artists and cultural figures who've signed petitions and are organising campaigns against what they deem to be censorship. Organisers of the Sziget festival say they've not had official notification of the government's decision, and reject pressure to cancel the 11 August performance. "Our festival remains true to what we have achieved over the past 30 years. There is no place for hate, incitement, prejudice or any form of racism or anti-Semitism" said Sziget in a statement. This year's edition features some of the biggest names in music, including Post Malone, Shawn Mendes and Charli XCX.
