This Film Is Not Yet Rated

The film begins with Academy Award-nominated director Kirby Dick expressing concern over the authority of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). This becomes the catalyst for his investigative journey into the world of film ratings and censorship.

To delve deeper into his investigation, Dick hires private investigator Becky Altringer. Her role is to observe the MPAA headquarters and attempt to unveil the hidden secrets that govern film ratings in Hollywood.

Throughout the documentary, Dick interviews a range of filmmakers including John Waters, Mary Harron, and Kevin Smith. They candidly share their personal experiences and frustrations with the MPAA's inconsistent and often severe judgmental processes.

One of the film's striking revelations is the background of MPAA raters, many of whom lack parental experience with children in the target age group. This finding raises questions about the appropriateness and fairness of their ratings decisions.

The documentary points out that the MPAA seems to impose stricter scrutiny on homosexual content compared to heterosexual content. This is supported by commentary from an MPAA spokesperson, highlighting potential biases in their rating criteria.

Dick uncovers troubling information regarding the MPAA's appeals board, which mainly consists of studio executives and clergy members. The lack of transparency surrounding their operations raises serious concerns about the influence of personal beliefs on film ratings.

Before its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, the documentary attracted attention after receiving an NC-17 rating for graphic sexual content. This situation added more layers to the ongoing discussions about censorship in cinema.

During its presentation at Sundance, the film interweaves the ongoing rates deliberations and Dick's own appeal process into the overarching narrative. This creates a meta-commentary on the nature of filmmaking and its reception by regulatory boards.

Following the significant changes made to the film after its initial NC-17 rating, it must undergo a resubmission process to obtain a new MPAA rating. This highlights the ongoing challenges filmmakers face within the rating system.

The documentary raises critical questions about the standards set by the MPAA, especially with the statement, 'We don't create standards; we just follow them.' This underscores the ambivalent relationship between art, morality, and censorship in film.