KUALA LUMPUR – Local movie Pulau’s trailer is on the receiving end of brickbats from various sectors, including religious figures who are spewing vitriol at the horror thriller for stepping out of line with its seemingly salacious content.
In a Facebook post today, Malaysia Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid urged the Film Censorship Board to reconsider its green light for the film’s premiere.
“Based on the movie’s trailer, there are many obscene scenes which are not suitable for public viewing.
“We object to any media content that depicts extreme obscenity and which goes against the Rukun Negara (tenet) on courtesy and morality,” he said.
Similarly, former deputy religious affairs minister Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary appears to be baffled by how ministers have yet to voice their thoughts or react to the ostensibly raunchy trailer.
“The ‘Pulau’ film contains over-the-top lewd clips. How come no minister has spoken up (about the matter)?” he questioned in a brief Facebook post today.
The flick, produced by My Way Pictures in collaboration with Film Force Studios, is set to hit the big screens on March 9.
It features a cast with several notable local personalities, including renowned actor Namron, beauty pageant titleholder Sanjna Suri, model and actress Amelia Henderson, and Malaysian Penthouse cover girl and online pornography star Siew Pui Yi.
While the trailer has received its fair share of criticism from netizens, some were also quick to jump to the movie’s defence, pointing out that moviegoers can opt to not watch the film if it makes them uncomfortable.
One such comment came from Undi18 co-founder Tharma Pillai, who said that the hatred directed towards the movie does not tally with calls for the local arts industry to be better supported.
“We complain that Malaysian movies and arts cannot grow, but look at the number of people calling for censorship. (However), it’s just kissing and (actresses) in bikinis, which we’ve all seen in international movies.
We complain that Malaysian movies and arts cannot grow, but look at the number of people calling for censorship. Padahal it's just kissing + bikini, which we've all seen in international movies.
— Tharma Pillai ? (@TharmaPillai) January 17, 2023
Tak suka, tak payah tengok la. https://t.co/YaSm0G6iek
“If you don’t like it, then there’s no need for you to watch the movie,” he said in a Twitter post.
Meanwhile, another Twitter user, @amrufateh asserted that Pulau’s official poster had been plagiarised from that of the 2020 thriller film, Fantasy Island.
Like several other users, he also called on Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil to “be responsible” and do his job.
Dah la poster plagiat !
— Amru (@amrufateh) January 17, 2023
Cerita Lucah ! Lelaki perempuan separa bogel ??
Dgr cerita ade pelakon pornstar dlm tu ???@fahmi_fadzil be responsible ! Macamane boleh lepas movie x bermoral ni kat Malaysia ?!? pic.twitter.com/MeeAHxpubQ
User @dass_terrence highlighted that women in revealing swimwear should not be considered “soft porn”, as the attire is merely another item of clothing.
I don't think ya all get the concept of soft porn. Wearing a bikini isn't soft porn. It's no porn. It's just a bikini. Glorify topless guys baring guns and abs but shame women in bikinis ? It's 2023 we need a course correct. https://t.co/PLQk5N2iPi
— Terrence.Dass ??????? Gong Xi Fa Chai (@dass_terrence) January 16, 2023
The contents of the film are not the only bones netizens have to pick with the production, as another user, @TechieKitteh, took issue with the “badly made” trailer’s creative structure, implying that the clip could have been edited better.
“Trailers should only give you a glimpse of what happens, so you look forward to the entire movie, not an executive summary of the movie,” they said.
can’t wait 2 watch vikar get killed ?? https://t.co/nCXPGQ3oQf
— very real (@bojackhorseg1rl) January 17, 2023
The film’s trailer, which was shared online four days ago, now has over 331,000 views on YouTube as well as upwards of 4,360 shares on Twitter at the time of writing. – The Vibes, January 17, 2023
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