Portsmouth City Borough Council Licensing Sub-Committee Meeting

Councillor Madgwick was elected as chair. He welcomed everyone and introductions were made by those present.

There were no declarations of members' interests.

Nickii Humphreys, Licensing Manager, introduced her report, explaining the need for the Sub-Committee to classify the film in the absence of a BBFC classification so that it could be shown at a screening at Boathouse No.6 in the Historic Dockyard on 3 February 2023. Therefore, an age appropriate condition needed to be considered and the panel had had the opportunity to view the film immediately prior to the public Sub-Committee meeting. Members had been provided with the BBFC classification guidelines.

Members felt the film should be classified as a 12.

The Sub-Committee approved the decision as outlined below, which would form part of the certificate provided to Boathouse No.6 and Adam Henson as the applicant. 

Decision

The Sub-Committee has carefully considered the appropriate classification for "The Mire" a film work proposed to be screened publicly at Boathouse No. 6, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. In doing so it viewed the work and applied the BBFC Classification Guidelines.  The Sub-Committee has attached a "12" classification rating.

Reasons

The Sub-Committee considered carefully whether the work fell within a particular classification according to the BBFC guidelines. Whilst there is a prevalent theme of psychological manipulation and control throughout and momentary scenes of self-harm and violence it was noted that these were limited and not gory. The film did not overly dwell upon violence. There was no use of drugs, sex or sexual violence. Language was mild with occasional use of swear words but again the manner in which it was used was not such as to place it in a category of special contextual justification. The psychological threat was considered moderate. Accordingly, the classification of "12" seemed most appropriate.