Screening of “The New Village” suspended
Utusan Malaysia had published an opinion piece questioning why this film could be approved for screening when the film ‘Tanda Putera’ on the struggle for Malaysia’s independence had been postponed numerous times.
(The Malaysian Insider) – The home ministry has suspended the screening of a local Chinese movie, “The New Village”, which was set to open in cinemas on August 22, pending another review by the Censorship Board.
The movie is said to promote communism.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) said the decision was made following a furore created by social media bloggers and non-governmental organisations on the movie’s content.
“We have to postpone the premiere date pending another thorough look into the movie’s plot,” he said today in Sungai Buloh.
The movie was to open on August 22.
Ahmad Zahid said the Censorship Board which is under the purview of his ministry, will also look into claims by some that the movie carries strong elements of communism.
“The board will review the plot and the hidden messages in the movie.
“The new release date will be decided once the second review is completed.”
He said the ministry, however, will not hesitate to revoke the approval of the movie’s screening should the film be found to be hero-worshipping the Malayan Communist Party (PKM) and humiliating the country’s defence forces.
Ahmad Zahid said the Censorship Board received a review application from the producers on Sept 6, last year.
“It was viewed and censored by a three-man panel from the board and approved three days later.”
He said a Certificate of Admittance A (permission to screen) was issued on November 9 last year.
The movie was rated as “Lulus Bersih” (no censorship) with a P13 classification.
“The censors felt that the scenes in the movie contained action shots which were not overdone to maintain its story flow.”
Ahmad Zahid said the movie also contained impressive battle scenes between the communists and camp commanders, which was also not overdone.
He noted that reports and comments published in newspapers and blogs about the movie were done based only on the trailer of the film, which was uploaded onto the internet.
Ahmad Zahid’s decision comes following a stinging weekend piece in Mingguan Malaysia by Awang Selamat questioning how Putrajaya allowed the release of “The New Village”, which it said, glorified communism.
Awang Selamat, the moniker representing the paper’s collective editorial voice, said another locally-made movie on nationalism, “Tanda Putera”, on the events surrounding the May 13 riots, had triggered widespread criticisms after snippets of the movie were leaked online
Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/screening-of-the-new-village-suspended
