KUALA LUMPUR – The National Film Development Corporation (Finas) is defending its RM1.8 million funding for Mat Kilau, saying that it will not obstruct anyone from releasing films, amid criticism over the portrayal of violent turbaned Sikhs in the movie.
Finas chairman and senator Datuk Seri Zurainah Musa said the enforcement of content guidelines lies with the Film Censorship Board under the purview of the Home Ministry, not Finas.
In a statement, she said Finas provides support via the Digital Content Fund and conducive post-production environment for the development of Mat Kilau. The movie, which earned RM53 million in 13 days, has become Malaysia’s highest-grossing film.
“Finas will not obstruct anyone’s efforts to release their works of art as enshrined under Act 244 (Finas Act 1981).”
However, she said that Finas urges creative industry players to be aware of audience sensitivities in this culturally and religiously rich country, in line with Keluarga Malaysia.
Civil society group United Sikhs Malaysia slammed the movie after Sikh soldiers were shown “to have laid hands on old folk, children, and helpless citizens”.
“While the controversial scenes in the movie were fictional, they are distasteful and hurt the sentiments of Sikhs.
“The Sikh code of practice prohibits laying hands on old folk, children, women, and helpless citizens even during war.”
Earlier this week, Finas CEO Md Nasir Ibrahim was reported as saying that the movie received a production fund of RM1.5 million and a RM300,000 marketing funding.
Mat Kilau, directed by Syamsul Yusof, follows the story of the Malay warrior rising against the invading British power. It stars Datuk Jalaluddin Hassan, Datuk Rahim Razali, Datuk Adi Putra, Namron, and Fattah Amin, among others. – The Vibes, July 9, 2022
