(HOLLYWOODREPORTER) — The makers of a family film are taking the unusual step of appealing their PG-13 rating that was handed down by the MPAA because the organization didn’t think themes of war and racism were appropriate for preteens.
The movie to be appealed on Wednesday is called Little Boy, which tells the story of how a 7-year-old child deals with the absence of his father, who is off fighting in World War II. Executive producers are Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, two of Hollywood’s more notable champions of family films with uplifting messages.
Those familiar with the film and the appeals process said the MPAA cited “mature thematic elements” in its decision to rate the movie PG-13 instead of giving it the PG rating that the filmmakers and distributor Open Road Films are seeking.
