![Hide details for [<font size=2 face="Arial">]Extended Classification Information (*SPOILER ALERT* Information may include plot](/icons/collapse.gif) Extended Classification Information (*SPOILER ALERT* Information may include plot details)
CRACKS is a drama set in a girls' boarding school in the 1930s which explores the relationship between the girls and a charismatic but psychologically damaged gym teacher called Miss G. In particular, Miss G develops a sexual fascination with her new pupil, Fiamma. The film was classified '15' for moderate nudity and sexual obsession theme.
Although Miss G's sexual fascination with Fiamma is hinted at subtly and discreetly throughout the film, it manifests most clearly in a single, pivotal scene. After Fiamma gets drunk at a party and passes out, Miss G offers to take care of her, ostensibly so that the other teachers will not discover her drunkenness. However, she subsequently abuses her position of trust by sexually abusing the unconscious girl. Miss G unties the ribbon of Fiamma's camisole to expose her cleavage which she strokes repeatedly but gently. Then she leans forward and kisses Fiamma on the lips. Moments later, Miss G presses her head against the sleeping girl's implied bare breast, which is in the shadows, before the scene ends. '12A' Guidelines say that mature themes are acceptable but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers; and that sexual violence (which this scene of sexual abuse clearly comprises) may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and must have a strong contextual justification. While there is no violence in the scene and no explicit sexual detail, the scene depicts the sexualised abuse of an unconscious pupil by a teacher in a fashion that was too sustained and too strong to be allowed at '12A'. However, the scene was containable at '15' where Guidelines state that any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification. Because the scene is relatively discreet in terms of what is shown (there is no nudity and no actual violence) and because it is crucial to the narrative in marking the turning point in the teacher's downfall, it was considered that an '18' classification was unnecessary.
The moderate nudity occurs during a nocturnal scene showing the girls and Miss G swimming in a lake. Only two older girls, plus Miss G, are naked while the other younger girls are in their underwear. The breasts of the older girls and Miss G are visible in medium long shot, both as they disrobe and as they swim. When the nudity is seen under water, the nudity is less distinct because the camera angles, distance of the lens and the water medium act as buffers. Under '12A' Guidelines, nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet. Although the nudity is on one level natural, in that the girls are merely swimming, Miss G's increasing obsession with Fiamma and her evident pleasure in the girl's body lends an eroticised edge to the scene that exceeds the '12A' Guidelines. By contrast, the Guidelines at '15' state that nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail.
Moderate threat and violence occurs in a scene when the girls beat and slap Fiamma. '12A' Guidelines say that moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail; and there should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. There are no gory moments and little explicit violence detail. Impact is not seen although the attack is impressionistically savage, supported by loud sounds of slapping and blows. Fiamma's face registers no more than superficial bruises, but much more obvious is her laboured breathing signalling an asthma attack, which is what stops the attack. In itself this scene would have been acceptable at '12A'.
There are moderate sex references in the girls' banter. The girls mention 'lust', someone's 'randy father' who might 'deflower' a girl, kissing a boy and 'getting your knickers off'. The references are not detailed and simply reflect a natural preoccupation or curiosity of the teenagers. Again, they would have been acceptable at '12A'.
Language is infrequent and includes mild ('bloody' and 'bugger') and moderate terms ('whore')
The opening scene also shows Miss G sharing a cigarette with one of her pupils while they are in a rowing boat. In a different scene, the girls drink alcohol during a midnight feast and Fiamma gets drunk. This is well contained as, even at '12A' , Guidelines say that any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give instructional detail. Neither the smoking nor drinking is particularly instructive, nor is it glamorised and it all occurs within a period setting. Each makes a narrative point crucial to the drama. The shared smoking reflects Miss G's unconventional attitude while also exposing her irresponsibility for her charges; and it is Fiamma's drunken state that provides Miss G with the opportunity to abuse her.
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