the censorship
By Serge Norguard. Filed in Cinema/Television, Personal |
First of all let Serge says sorry to Nadira. Thanks to the rain and the bad copper wiring in the area of my place, the connection got screwy. Anyway now with that settled, let us talk about things worth talking about.
Serge is not sure if many of you read the MalayMail, but recently in the Buzz section, they interviewed and wrote an interesting article about the indie films which was produced by our malaysian people. Which i am quite proud about. The young director, Yasmin Ahmad made her debut with the film called Rabun. With no violence,sex or anything bad in it, the malaysian censorship board decided to cut it. The reason being that one of the scene, shows an old couple who loves each other..bathing each other. There was no nudity,nothing sexual about it.
It was true love being invoked in that scene, Serge knows as he watched the film already. Besides, in the kampungs where having a room to bathe in is quite rare. You can see communal bath with ease. People bathing in the river, family, friends, young and old. With this going on everyday in real life, one begins to wonder why was it censored. Serge still dont get it. It’s just a bathing scene.
Next in her line of works is this film called Sepet, depicting the tale of inter-cultural love. Between a chinese boy and a malay girl. Serge have not seen the movie yet, but with rave review from my fellow mates on the indie movie scene..it sounds good.
Anyway according to the article in the Buzz it got cut then it got a total ban. Reasons of the ban are as follow
1- Malay girl with a Chinese boy
2-[quote]But one committee member’s contention was that Yasmin didn’t raise the issue of religion; he also asked why the Malay girl didn’t try to convert her Chinese boyfriend. He said it would please the Malay audience if the Chinese boy becomes a Muslim at the end of the story[/quote]
3-a scene where a group of girls were combing each other hairs.
4-the malay girl in a non-halal restaurant.
hmm,now Serge does not see anything wrong. First of all a malay girl and a chinese boy together, what is wrong with that ? Serge used to date a malay girl and an indian girl before. His parents didnt mind, even their parents didn’t. Besides, if Serge looks into his heritage,which is quite spectacular…my racial background consist of 80% chinese 10%malay 5%indian and 5%portuguese.
The religious part, is quite weird. Having malay heritage, Serge has learn parts of the Quran and with relatives who celebrate the faith of Islam, they themselves have told me that Islam does not force people to convert. [quote]On his deathbed, the Prophet issued a directive: “Observe scrupulously the protection accorded by me to non-Muslim subjects.”(cf. al’Mawardi) The Prophet has expressed his utmost disapproval of any mistreatment accorded to non-Muslims population in an Islamic state. He says: “Whoever oppresses the non-Muslim subjects, shall find me to be their advocate on the Day of Judgment (against the oppressing Muslims).” (Abu Dawud) His inspiring last sermon, before passing away, reflects the nobility and grace of the Prophet’s thoughts and the beauty of the language he spoke. He advised for the faith in Allah, non-aggression and rising above the considerations of race, color and origin. He made an impassioned plea for the observance of human rights enjoined by Islam, a fair deal to women and the freeing of slaves.[/quote]
in the part of the girls combing each other hair, that is stupid. According to the article, [quote]His complaint – that scene would encourage Malay women to go back to their bad old habit of picking each other’s lice! [/quote]. Hello people !!, we are not dumb nor are we stupid.
The restaurant part to Serge is hilarious. So if a malay girl cant enter a non-halal restaurant, does that mean a chinese-christian person such as Serge cannot enter an islamic restaurant ? come on. be sensible. His malay friends has joined him for dim sum before, they enjoyed the halal food which was serve to them.
There are a lot of things that is weird, but this is just plain stupid.
[edit] just read Yasmin’s Blog , it seems that film Sepet will not be ban but a lift on one of the cuts will be made. But with that much of cuts…Yasmin’s producer will not show it.
With too many cuts, the storyline will be disrupted. Hopefully with his l337 skillz he can get to watch the film.
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