Beauty And The Beast Controversy: Members Of The Film Industry Highlight Inconsi

NormanJB

Pic for illustration purposes only

This month, the controversy that made global and local headlines for Malaysia surrounded the release of two major Hollywood films, Disney’s classic live-action remake of ‘Beauty and the Beast (BATB)’ as well as childhood staple ‘Power Rangers’ – which unquestionably sent local fans of both films in a rage.

Pic: Netizens reacting to the controversy surrounding BATB

Pic: Netizens reacting to the controversy surrounding Power Rangers

Pic: Netizens reacting to the controversy surrounding Power Rangers

It is perplexing as to why two films that (by right) are classified as children’s genre would land in such a predicament – resorting to many quick to play the blame game, from accusing the directors’ making unnecessary changes to our beloved characters, to the censorship board being overly rigid.

But it’s equally understandable when some Malaysians highlighted the inconsistency in regulations carried out by the Film Censorship Board of Malaysia (LPF), throughout what should or should not be allowed to be screened, thus triggering the question as to what really influences their judgements on film content.

Although both films were at last assured cleared for screening, MD reached out to certain members of the film industry to understand what sparked the issue in the first place.

LPF And Its Guidelines

The censorship guidelines produced by LPF should assist and facilitate filmmakers to understand the government’s policy on the matter that should be given attention and critical evaluation in relation to the content on the film.

However, to clarify how the board came to its decision for the two movies, MD sought the opinion of several personnel from the board, with some refusing to further comment on the issue, and we found that each statement as to what their guidelines were, vary – with none making a conclusive judgement justifying the regulations put out by the board.

So, we further reviewed the guidelines that we manage to obtain.

“The guidelines also take into account the preferences, attitudes and concerns of the public, the law changes, or new evidence from studies or other sources of relevant subject matter expertise enable it to be reviewed from time to time,” LPF stated according to its regulation.

“The guidelines focus on four important aspects such as safety and public order; religion; socioculture; and decorum and morality, and these aspects need to be given serious attention and cannot be exploited to bring unintended consequences to society and the state.”

Pic: Matters that need to be given attention and scrutinised so that they do not create any controversy and doubt among the general public

On top of that, LPF emphasised that the guidelines are intended to promote national identity by showing through films the good moral values and practices that the community can practice in everyday life, such as honesty, altruism and many more.

With films playing an important role in national development, national security, social justice, solidarity and community behaviour, LPF explained that the films should be appropriate or in line with the culture and values of our community as films can influence the thoughts and actions of people, especially children and adolescents.

“As such, films containing themes, storylines or plots that oppose sociocultural, moral values, incitement, anti-religion, insulting the beliefs or customs of a people or a particular group, the elements that are contrary to government policy, elements of violence and cruelty supercharge are prohibited,” LPF revealed.

“Other than that, films containing illogical themes, storylines or plots that can deflect the views of audiences (local and foreign) as well as the sociocultural values of the local people are equally not allowed.

“But ultimately, films must respect Malaysia as a sovereign nation and films that fails to respect Malaysia, condemns Malaysia and the dignity and image of the country and the people of Malaysia as well as opposing the Rukun Negara (even if it is screened overseas) is ill advised.”

Therefore, LPF has the responsibility to ensure that both local and international film adheres to the stipulated guidelines out of respect for Malaysians – but certain aspects should be allowed if it carries educational purposes.

In light of the ambiguous controversy surrounding both BATB and Power Rangers, it goes without saying that not only has LPF been overly protective over local audiences, but has failed to acknowledge that audiences are able to judge for themselves.

And although LPF shared that the body accommodates to aspiring directors, producers seeking counsel and advice to ensure their production adheres to the guidelines, the body should be more transparent with audiences on what is deemed to be ‘bad’ to a point censorship is required.

Source - MD