Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil's position that the trailer for the horror film 'Pulau' is not suitable for viewing is concerning and could lead to extremism, an advocacy group said.
"(It is) slightly concerning that beachwear and kissing are considered not suitable for viewing (by the minister).
"Courting these types of viewpoints regarding women's bodies, sexuality and censorship is a slippery slope to extremism," Saksi, an initiative by the Women's Aid Organisation for gender-progressive journalism, said on Twitter.
It added that such a reaction towards a local film showing actresses in bikinis (picture, above) is ironic as international shows which are even more explicit are available and popular among Malaysians.
"Culture is fluid and policing what other creatives choose to do is actively holding our country back.
"There is a reason many accomplished Malaysian filmmakers/artists found success abroad instead of in their homeland," Saksi said.
Producer agrees to produce new trailer
Last night, Fahmi said the trailer for the 18+ horror film was not suitable for viewing and that he had contacted cinema chain GSC on the matter.
The minister, who is a former theatre practitioner, also said the producer has agreed to produce a different edit for the trailer.
“In my opinion, we may have to review several SOPs because it is clear that there has been one infringement here and I have been made to understand that the Film Censorship Board approval was given last September, before I became the minister, before this current government,” Bernama reported him as saying.
The 'Pulau' trailer featured among others, a bikini-clad woman swimming in the ocean, a couple embracing and almost kissing, and various horror scenes.
Meanwhile, the Film Censorship Board (FCB) said it had reviewed the film when it was submitted for FCB approval and cleared it for screening.
The FCB said 'Pulau' is a horror film, and not pornographic, as claimed by some based on the trailer.
The film features a group of holidaymakers who experience supernatural incidents when visiting a forbidden island, despite warnings against doing so by locals.
The film came under the spotlight after former deputy religious affairs minister Ahmad Marzuk Shaary said the horror thriller "contains scenes that are obscene and excessive".
Following this, filmmaker WedTVAsia urged the public not to judge 'Pulau' based on the trailer alone, before watching the film which is due for release on March 9. - Mkini
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