To not let DD watch these programmes for school work.

[Whatswiththesmalltalk]

Dd is 13 and is studying dystopian literature in English so I understand the connection but her teacher has asked the class to watch the handmaids tale, children of men and V for vendetta. I have only watched the handmaids tale myself but having looked online I really don't think they're all that appropriate for a 13 year old at all. AIBU would you let your 13 year old watch these?

Netflix version of the Handmaid's Tale is equivalent to an 18. Not suitable for a 13 yr old. My 15 yr old has seen it though - it has very adult themes.
The others come up with an R rating (US ?) which means not suitable for children... it's a restriction that suggests that a child should watch it with an adult supervising. Same as the HT actually now I look again.
i think it might really depend on the child in question.

Dystopian Literature at the age of 13? Even in terms of exam board set texts and themes, that’s A level stuff. Most of the kids in her class won’t have the maturity for any of the ideas, let alone the TV series.

Thanks, lots of good suggestions. I wasn't even aware that there was a film version of the handmaids tale so will definitely look into that. I agree that a lot of the more problematic scenes in handmaids tale are too graphic for a 13 year old but will have a proper look at the other two.

I agree that it is unfair to expect them all to have access to films, I'm unsure why she has asked them to watch rather than read them.

If it is rated 15, then you should be talking to the school about this. It should not be recommended for 13 years olds.

And that is not treating her like a baby, as some PPs have suggested. It is recognising that a respected public body regards it as unsuitable for 13 years olds; and also recognising the fact that you cannot "unsee" things. It will stay with her.

I'm a film teacher. Regardless of whether some parents allow it or how individuals might feel, it isn't legal to watch 15s in a private home. It's OK for 14 year olds to watch them 'for educational purposes' but in the classroom under teacher supervision.

I'd be asking the teacher/HOD if there are aware of the law on this, assuming these are 15s (I haven't checked).

At GCSE, I teach 15 films, but only form mid year 10 onwards and with clear communication to parents on the BBFC guidelines.

There is a wealth of more age appropriate dystopian literature out there!!

@Whatswiththesmalltalk the film of Handmaids' Tale is terrible mind, that's why nobody talks about it any more.

Now Wall:E, there's a good dystopian film.

And, if it's English, why are they watching films?? Is it a media unit? In which case, they should be studying them as media texts. Sounds more like lazy shortcut to me to replace reading, which makes me sad :(

They aren't even good films!!

The original Handmaid's Tale film is an 18. I did the book for A-Level and we watched the film. We were all 16 and 17. None of us were 18. "Don't tell your parents" our teacher said.
I've not watched the TV series but from what I know of it I would not want a 13 year old to watch it.
The 2 films suggested are both 15 certificate. Films are given a rating of 15 for a reason. 13 year olds in general really shouldn't watch them.
I would tell the teacher that she will not be watching them and could she suggest something more age appropriate.

V for Vendetta and Children of Men both have a 15 cert.

The 1990 film version of the Handmaid's Tale was originally18-rated, then updated to a 15; the recent series were all 15-rated.

I'd be contacting the school management/ Head of Dept to check that they're aware the teacher's recommending these to a class of 13 (and possibly 14) year olds.

There is an older version of the handmaid's tale which is less graphic. The book had a big impact on me in my teens, it is a very significant work.

I think you mean it isn't ILLEGAL to allow children under this age to watch a 15 film at home. The law is that they aren't allowed to see it at a cinema even with their parents. At home you can watch what you like, but parents should be very aware of what is being watched and the nature of the child.

As a film teacher I would have thought you would know that - or maybe I'm quoting UK law and you're elsewhere.

re Children of Men. Dull, Dull, Dull. But I'd let me 13 year old watch it. She's been desperate to watch Hacksaw Ridge for a couple of years, and after she covers WWII again I might let her (with me watching too).

It’s over 50 years since I left school but we were shown films of the texts we were taught. It’s hardly lazy if it’s used as a way of bringing literature to life and to supplement the written text.

Well. it's a grey area that one. It's not legal to buy it, for example - but with streaming that has been complicated. I don't play fast and loose with age ratings. They are there for child protection and MN is usually vey hot on safeguarding.

Well I’m quite hardcore from watching many a crime documentary (!) but even I flinched at some of the earlier Handmaid’s tales scenes and felt anxious watching it. I wouldn’t say it’s all that suitable for a 13 year old.

I am a massive fan of the HT TV series and I read the book as a teen but I would not let my 13 dd watch it. It’s visually very brutal and some scenes would be too much. Too traumatic. I can only imagine the sneering cynical posters haven’t watched it. Also the TV series, as people have pointed out, does not follow the book.

You are right though - I was quoting BBFC guidelines rather than law, I suppose.

But the school emphatically should not be setting 15s as homework to 13 year olds.

I wouldn't let my DC watch the handmaid's tale for school work simply because there are a lot of episodes and that's a lot of time spent watching TV when it's not their choice to do so.

My DD is studying The Handmaid's Tale for English Lit A Level, which feel about right for the age to study it.

Wouldn't the Hunger Games or Maze Runner be more appropriate dystopian fiction to watch?

The handmaid's tale series no I wouldn't let my 14 year old watch it. The other two are fine. Any chance you dd is chancing her arm?

This is a link to the BBFC website (Netflix ratings can be different - often a bit more cautious). You can check details about film content etc on here:

www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-handmaids-tale-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0yote0mtc

I have complained to the school before when films of a higher rating have been shown in class. I had to withdraw my child for several lessons whilst they were showing it. ( Contained many graphic scenes of hanging etc which were giving DC nightmares and causing them not to want to go to school). It's not necessary and very ill advised by teachers. In our school part of the issue is lots of very young teachers who are inexperienced and don't get that some children are more sensitive.

Could you watch some clips with her? Maybe not the whole series. I know people are saying she's 13 and should be fine but it depends on the child and maturity.

Completely agree. There will be children in these classes without switched on parents at home to protect them.

You should be raising this with the school. It's completely unacceptable they even set the exercise. If you brush it under the carpet you are complicit.

I'm in the camp of sending an email/letter to the HT and making a complaint about a yr 9 teacher recommending 15/18 rates films to 13yos.

Absolutely unacceptable.

I'd already read the handmaid's tale at age 13 so I think YABU.

Nope to The Handmaid's Tale. Maybe discuss the books instead? You'll find a synopsis online. I had to stop watching it as I found it too upsetting.

V for Vendetta is fine.

Not seen the other one.