Robert Pattinson’s The Batman and The Lady Of Heaven, a controversial film centered around the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, have generated the highest number of complaints received by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) in 2022, as stated in the board’s annual report. Out of a total of 84 complaints regarding film ratings, The Batman accounted for 22, specifically pertaining to its 15 rating. According to the BBFC, the majority of complaints were lodged prior to the film’s release or were from children under 15. Complainants argued that the classification was overly restrictive and would hinder younger children who were interested in watching the film from accessing it in cinemas.
In response to these complaints, the BBFC clarified that The Batman presents a dark portrayal of Gotham City, with Batman teaming up with a detective to solve a series of murders. The victims are subjected to sadistic devices designed to torment them before their demise. The film consistently maintains a somber tone and depicts a less fantastical world compared to previous cinematic portrayals of the Batman character.
The Lady Of Heaven Controversy
The Lady Of Heaven, directed by Eli King, received a total of 1,573 complaints. The film recounts the story of the Prophet Muhammad’s daughter and sparked considerable controversy following its release in 2022. The BBFC reported that complaints alleged the film to be blasphemous and historically inaccurate.
Upon its release in the UK, exhibitor Cineworld withdrew all screenings of the film due to on-site protests. The film had been showing in nine Cineworld locations, and in two of them, protests escalated to verbal attacks against managers. Furthermore, over 120,000 individuals signed a petition calling for the movie’s removal from all UK theaters. The Bolton Council of Mosques denounced the film as “blasphemous” and criticized its misrepresentation of orthodox historical narratives and disrespect towards esteemed figures in Islamic history.
Some groups also took issue with the film’s depiction of the Prophet Muhammad, which is forbidden in Islam. In response to these complaints, the BBFC emphasized that filmmakers have the freedom to explore historical or controversial subjects within their films.
While the BBFC could not confirm whether The Lady Of Heaven’s complaint count was a record for a single film, it appears to be the highest number of complaints received by any film in the past 15 years. In terms of ratings, Christopher Nolan’s Batman sequel, The Dark Knight, holds the record for the BBFC’s highest number of complaints, with 364 members of the public expressing concerns about its dark and violent content being unsuitable for children.
The BBFC’s report also noted that film submissions were nearly back to pre-pandemic levels, with the board classifying 1,057 feature films for cinema release. This marked a significant increase from the 659 films classified in 2021 and the 619 in 2020. In 2019, a total of 1,103 cinema features were classified. The report expressed the board’s satisfaction with the industry’s recovery in 2022.
Additionally, the BBFC reported a 23% increase in the number of pornographic films submitted compared to the previous year.