The Cultural Algorithm

Australia’s Border Force (ABF) has blocked the popular animated form of Japanese pornography, hentai, from entering the country. Besides hentai, other banned items include sex toys, Japanese porn videos, and sexually suggestive figurines—basically, any product marked with a “+18” symbol. This decision followed an increased number of images depicting rape, incest, pedophilia, and sexual abuse.

When people think of Disney, they reminisce about movies that defined their childhood, flying like Peter Pan, swimming through coral reefs like Ariel, or even grabbing a feather and “flying” like Dumbo. Disney brings magic to life on and off screen, and parents are more than happy to buy a costume or toy, so their children further enjoy a favorite Disney story.

In a move to modernize the age-rating system for movies in Ontario, Canada, the provincial government recently proposed the 'Film Content Information Act 2020' as part of the Budget Bill that does away with General, Parental Guidance, 14 Accompaniment, 18 Accompaniment and Restricted age ratings. The new act would replace the Film Classification Act, 2005 .

The latest Media and Entertainment Outlook 2020 report by PwC states India is currently the world's fastest growing OTT market, and is positioned to become the world's sixth-largest by 2024. This means India is likely to overtake South Korea, Germany, and Australia in OTT revenue. Sizable investments by Netflix, Amazon, Disney+ Hotstar and other players in both originals and licensed content is expected to make up 93% of total OTT revenue.

In the oversaturated Superhero content market, it is rare for heroes to go against the epitomized image of squeaky-clean role models with godlike powers who save us from menacing villains justin the nick of time. Enter "The Boys." Amazon's hit show takes this notion and turns it on its head. In the series, Vought International presents to the world, "The Seven." These corporate Supes(short for superheroes), polished tip to toe are not dissimilar from carefully designed happy meals that conformists consume on a nice platter. Unlike Marvel Studio's "The Avengers," these Supes are radically damaged characters created in secret labs, pumped with illicit Vought chemicals to achieve unbelievable abilities.

Turkey enacted a new social media rule Oct. 1, 2020, and several social media platforms are not happy about it. The law “requires [companies] to establish a formal presence within the country” which will increase the companies’ “liability for harmful content.” Originally passed through parliament in July, the law also requires companies to appoint a Turkish representative to respond to content complaints and implement court orders.

An erotic comedy series on ALTBalaji, an OTT platform in India, recently invited the ire of the Indian Defence Ministry. The ministry objects to certain scenes in "XXX" and expressed its concern in letters to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

On Sept. 9, the coming-of-age drama "Cuties," was released on Netflix in the U.S. The company bought worldwide rights (excluding France) to the film and in January 2020 it premiered at Sundance, winning the World Cinema Dramatic Competition. The film is translated in to more than 40 languages and is available in 190 territories. In France, it was released Aug. 19 by Bac Films, who handled French rights.

Ratings are a tricky business, with each country having its own set of rules. Throw in the fact that movies, television shows, and video games each have their own set of rating guidelines and you could be reading the specs for ages. In North America, the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is responsible for rating video games for mass consumption. Parents want to know exactly what kind of game they are buying for their children, and on the other end of the spectrum, critics want to know how to review games for their fans. Or, you know, people want to just know what to expect when buying a game off a shelf.