Show ‘Tanda Putera’ or risk permits, director warns cinemas
(MMO) – The National Film Development Corporation’s (FINAS) Compulsory Screening Scheme was introduced in 2005 to help local filmmakers gain a larger audience. Under the scheme, cinemas must show designated films in their largest screening hall for no fewer than 14 days.
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 ― Cinemas risk losing their licences if they comply with Penang’s request not to screen “Tanda Putera” as the film is covered by the government’s mandatory screening scheme, said its director Datin Paduka Shuhaimi Baba.
Shuhaimi was responding to the call by the Penang government yesterday to cinemas in the state to refrain from playing the movie, scheduled to hit silver screens today after nearly a year’s delay.
“As far as we are concerned the screening should go on as scheduled by FINAS Wajib Tayang (Compulsory Screening) Committee.
“If the cinema operators do not screen the film as scheduled, their licences can be revoked by FINAS,” Shuhaimi told The Malay Mail Online via text last night.
The National Film Development Corporation’s (FINAS) Compulsory Screening Scheme was introduced in 2005 to help local filmmakers gain a larger audience. Under the scheme, cinemas must show designated films in their largest screening hall for no fewer than 14 days.
They may demote the screening to a smaller hall if audiences fail to reach 30 per cent of capacity for four consecutive days. They may also discontinue screening at their discretion if less than 15 per cent of the hall is filled for three days in a row.
The scheme is open to any film made by a local company or a joint-venture production in Malaysia.
Shuhaimi also confirmed that the movie’s distributor received an emailed copy of the directive from the Penang city council to the cinema operators, dated yesterday, requesting them to not screen “Tanda Putera” today.
“If indeed, this instruction came from the chief minister, we find this latest development irrational and incomprehensible as he has not even seen the movie, and this misuse of authority is an embarrassment.
“We are just filmmakers and not his political opponent. Instead of victimising us, he should pick on someone his own size,” she said.
