British Film Classification Board Asks Viewers To Brace Themselves, Prepare To Watch Disabled Actors On Screen

I wasn’t aware that moviegoers needed to be given the heads up beforehand lest they find themselves emotionally unprepared to watch disabled people on the big screen, but it appears I’m out of touch. The British Board Of Film Classification did just that for a flick called Special People, although their concern for the viewing public hasn’t been received so well.

The British film classification board is in trouble after slapping a “disability theme” warning on a comedy starring disabled actors.

When the British Board of Film Classification rated the low-budget film Special People, it tagged on a warning to viewers that the film contained disabled people, the Daily Mail reports.

The director of the film, Justin Edgar, isn’t too happy about the classification.

“We have already had complaints from the actors and some disability groups in the audience who were angry about the advisory note warning people that disabled actors were used. You don’t get films with black people or women being categorised in this way, so why do it for films with disabled people in them?”

Indeed. But if we are wandering merrily into an age of excessively detailed film classification, can we start using the following?

WARNING: Film contains Cameron Diaz.
WARNING: Not as good as the book.
WARNING: This film is several hours of cinematic wank, but there’s a nice green dress in it.

I could have used the last one before I went and saw Atonement early this year and ended up miming shooting myself midway through. And I was on my own! I JUST WANTED THE MELODRAMA TO STOP!

MORE: ‘Warning: Film contains disabled people’