This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006)

This 2006 documentary, directed by Kirby Dick and produced by Eddie Schmidt, examines the Motion Picture Association of America's (MPAA) film rating system, highlighting its secretive process and potential biases. It follows filmmakers submitting mock ratings for their own works to test the board's criteria, particularly regarding depictions of sex, violence, and language, and hires a private investigator to identify anonymous raters. Through interviews with directors like John Waters, Kimberly Peirce, and Mary Harron, as well as critics and former executives, the film explores how the ratings influence distribution, marketing, and creative decisions, especially for independent cinema, and questions the lack of transparency in an organization that shapes what audiences can access.