AUGUST NEWSLETTER

Kia ora koutou

Barbie and Oppenheimer blew up our website visitor numbers in July-August as audiences sought guidance about how age-appropriate the two biggest films of the year are. We provided rating breakdowns for each in our Featured Decisions. Both titles were rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body, and were not restricted by the Office.

We're highlighting a Netsafe campaign about a topic that could impact you or someone you know. Check out their no-nonsense sex*tor*tion education campaign. It's bold, concise, and necessary. Also, the Mental Health Foundation are coordinating Aotearoa's first ever Mental Health Film Festival. Read on for more details; submissions are open now.  

Our newsletters generally talk about topics like sex, drugs, and the media content landscape. Our aim is to have difficult conversations and shine a light on ways to reduce harm for New Zealanders. If you know someone who should receive these updates, please share our newsletter or encourage them to subscribe. Be sure to follow our socials too.

Aroha atu, aroha mai, tātou i a tātou
Let’s look out for each other

— Chief Censor Caroline Flora

#Mātakitahi #WatchTogether #Kōrerotahi #TalkTogether 

Image credit: Cillian Murphy stars as J. Robert Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer.

sex*tor*tion: Campaign launched to stem the rise of online blackmail

We tautoko this education campaign launched by Netsafe to help stem the sharp rise of an online harm known as “sextortion”, particularly among our young people. 

The campaign is designed to reach as many young New Zealanders as possible – and their families – to provide support if they or someone they know is being blackmailed with nudes. 

Sextortion is a type of blackmail when someone threatens to share a nude image or sexually explicit video of you online – unless you pay them or provide more sexual content.

Can my child watch the Barbie movie?

Mild violence, adult themes, and Ryan Gosling's pecs. In our latest blog Rebecca writes about whether Barbie, rated PG, is appropriate for her eight year old. 

The story deals with what it means to be human, and in particular what it means to be a woman in a modern world. References to Barbies being beautiful and good happen throughout the film but are coupled with a strong empowerment message; there are many different types of Barbie and the message that every woman is beautiful comes across more than once. The strong feminist messages are an excellent opportunity for conversations with your whānau after viewing the film. Read more on the blog. 

What makes effective research?
ESOMAR international roundtable discussion 

On August 4^th our Research Lead Henry Talbot participated in an online roundtable discussion with researchers from the United States, Switzerland, and Romania. The event, What makes effective research, was run by the international research organisation ESOMAR, and panellists discussed a variety of research projects from using virtual reality when taking blood samples, to young people’s views about online pornography. We were invited to participate on the panel after winning the 2022 research effectiveness award for our Growing Up with Porn research.

Submissions are open for the inaugural Aotearoa Mental Health Film Festival

Calling all filmmakers! The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand are seeking film submissions for the first ever Aotearoa Mental Health Film Festival, which will screen in November. 

By showcasing narratives of hope and stories that defy stereotypes, the Film Festival aims to combat the stigma that stops people from seeking help when they need it most. 100% of proceeds from tickets sold at the Aotearoa Mental Health Film Festival will help fund the mahi of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand. 

Submissions close 15 September 2023 at mhfilmfestival.org.nz.

Why did Barbie get this rating?

PG: Violence and coarse language

Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colourful and seemingly perfect world of Barbieland. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.

This film was rated by Film and Video Labelling Body and received a PG: Violence and coarse language. Read our breakdown of the rating.

Why did Oppenheimer get this rating?

M: Sex scenes, offensive language, nudity & suicide

The film follows American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer, who led a secret project that created the atomic bomb. We witness the moral struggles and dilemma he faces after discovering the devastating consequences that forever changed history and the world itself.

This film was rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body and received an M: Sex scenes, offensive language, nudity & suicide. Read our breakdown of the rating. 

Coco translated into te reo Māori and Spanish

PG: Parental guidance recommended

E tōmina ana a Miguel ki te haere hei tohunga puoro, engari kua whakakāhoretia e tōna whānau. I muri i ētahi āhuatanga, ka tae atu ia ki te Whenua o te Mate, i reira rā ka mahi tahi rāua ko Hector ki te tūhura i te tika mō te hītori o tōna whānau.

Te putanga reo Māori o te kiriata ā-whānau a Pixar i toa i ngā tohu Oscar a Coco.

Read our te reo Māori, Español or English language breakdown of the rating for Coco.

Because our work requires a broad knowledge of the vast online landscape, we consume a lot of media in the office. Here are just a few of the things we’ve found relevant and informative over the past month. Take a break with these media lunch items:

Christchurch mosque attack survivor talks the art of forgiveness (RNZ)

Kuwait and Lebanon move to ban Barbie due to 'alien ideas and beliefs' (Stuff)

Twitter sues nonprofit that tracks hate speech (The New York Times)

Sextortion continues to rise with Netsafe wanting to prevent tragic outcomes (Stuff)