A Star is Born : Featured classification decisions : OFLC

Unrestricted M: Suicide, sex scenes, offensive language and drug use

Spoiler alert

This page outlines how the classification criteria were applied. We do our best to discuss the content while avoiding spoilers, but please avoid reading this information if you do not want to learn anything about the content of this movie.

Why this movie received an updated descriptive note

A Star is Born was given an updated descriptive note in NZ within its first week of exhibition.

A Star is Born was not classified by the OFLC when it released in New Zealand. It had been rated an M in Australia so was automatically cross-rated M (Unrestricted, suitable for 16 years and over) in New Zealand by the Film & Video Labelling Body. At that stage, it carried a descriptive note ‘Sex scenes, offensive language and drug use.’ The Chief Censor required that the warning note be updated to include ‘suicide’ after receiving complaints from members of the public, including health care providers.

The first complaint involved Police Victim Support advising that they responded to two vulnerable young people who had been severely triggered by the scene. The Mental Health Foundation also informed us of a number of complaints.

The method of suicide used in A Star Is Born is the most common method of suicide in NZ.

Chief Censor David Shanks says that although A Star Is Born handles the topic relatively sensitively, the OFLC felt it was in the best interest of the NZ public to add a warning, particularly considering NZ’s appalling suicide rate. “Many people in New Zealand have been impacted by suicide. For those who have lost someone close to them, a warning gives them a chance to make an informed choice about watching,” says David.

The Film & Video Labelling Body issued a new certificate to be displayed and alerted exhibitors to the note change so that they could update their information. Where possible, the distributor must update the label on all advertising.

“We avoid unnecessary ‘spoilers’, but properly informing the viewing public is our primary concern.”

https://www.classificationoffice.govt.nz/news/featured-classification-decisions/a-star-is-born/