THE Media Development Authority (MDA) would like to explain our decision on Sex.Violence.FamilyValues, and Singapore's film classification system ("Wrong to ban local movie" by Mr Rajasegaran Ramasamy; last Friday).
In December last year, an M18 rating was assigned to Porn Masala, one of three films in Sex.Violence.FamilyValues, as we recognised that it is a satire on racial ignorance.
The rating had a consumer advice for coarse language and racial stereotyping for the viewing public to make an informed choice.
Last month, we received public complaints concerning the racist language used by one character, and another in a local school uniform.
The complaints appeared to be triggered by an online trailer released ahead of the film's intended premiere this month.
Arising from the complaints, we sought views from the Films Consultative Panel, which comprises volunteers of various professions, age groups, religions and races.
Given the volume of films received for classification, it is impractical for the panel to review every film.
We consult the panel in two situations.
Firstly, if in the course of classifying a film, the content is assessed to be potentially contentious, and insights into community sentiments would help at arriving at an appropriate classification.
Secondly, if, having classified a film, it receives complaints about the classification's appropriateness.
An overwhelming 20 out of 24 panel members who reviewed the film in its entirety felt that while the film may be a satire, the specific comments were offensive and demeaning to Indians to the extent that it should not be given a rating.
The rest felt the film can be allowed under an R21 rating.
The panel did not take exception to the depiction of a character in a school uniform.
In classifying films, we seek to reflect prevailing community standards.
The panel did not take exception to the depiction of a character in a school uniform.
In classifying films, we seek to reflect prevailing community standards.
We do not attempt to push the boundaries beyond what the community is prepared to accept, nor seek to defend a status quo when the community has moved past it.
The MDA recognises that despite its best efforts, its decision may occasionally fail to adequately take into account community sentiments.
We are heartened that in practice, the panel has not, after reviewing cases referred to it, reached fundamentally different conclusions from the MDA.
As such, it would be wrong for us to ignore the panel in this rare instance where an overwhelming majority disagreed with our classification.
Under the Films Act, an applicant may appeal against our classification to the Films Appeal Committee, whose decision is final.
The director of Sex.Violence.FamilyValues has announced his decision to lodge an appeal.
We await the appeal submission, and the committee's decision on the film.
Ho Hwei Ling (Ms)
Director
Communications
Media Development Authority
We await the appeal submission, and the committee's decision on the film.
Ho Hwei Ling (Ms)
Director
Communications
Media Development Authority
ST Forum, 19 Oct 2012
'Banned' film: MDA awaits decision on director's appeal
By Tessa Wong, The Straits Times, 19 Oct 2012
THE Media Development Authority (MDA) elaborated yesterday on its decision to reclassify the film Sex.Violence.FamilyValues and said it awaits the decision on an appeal from its director.
It disclosed that apart from complaints about the racist language used by a character in the film, there were also complaints about a character that appeared in the uniform of a local school.
By Tessa Wong, The Straits Times, 19 Oct 2012
THE Media Development Authority (MDA) elaborated yesterday on its decision to reclassify the film Sex.Violence.FamilyValues and said it awaits the decision on an appeal from its director.
It disclosed that apart from complaints about the racist language used by a character in the film, there were also complaints about a character that appeared in the uniform of a local school.
These complaints appeared to be triggered by an online trailer publicising the film, said MDA's director of communications Ho Hwei Ling, in a letter published in The Straits Times Forum page today.
The trailer shows an actress wearing a blue and white uniform similar to that of the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) schools.
Sister Maria Lau, the provincial or head of the Infant Jesus Sisters, which manages the CHIJ schools, declined to comment when asked if it had complained to the MDA.
The film was to have been shown in a commercial theatre with an M18 rating but was reclassified with the rare Not Allowed for All Rating last week.
The new rating amounts to a ban on the film as this classification means it cannot be shown.
Initially, the MDA gave Porn Masala, one of three films in the Sex.Violence.FamilyValues compendium, an M18 rating "as we recognised it as a satire on racial ignorance", said Ms Ho.
The rating was accompanied by an advisory about the coarse language and racial stereotyping in the film, so that "the viewing public (can) make an informed choice", she added.
But the complaints led the MDA to seek the views of the Films Consultative Panel, which comprises members from various professions, age groups and races in Singapore.
Of the 24 members who saw the film, 20 felt that while the film may be a satire, "the specific comments were offensive and demeaning to Indians to the extent that it should not be given a rating". The other four suggested a R21 rating.
Ms Ho said the panel did not take exception to the depiction of the character in a school uniform.
She explained that in classifying films, the MDA seeks to reflect prevailing community standards, and "its decision may occasionally fail to adequately take into account community sentiments".
In past reviews, the panel had reached similar conclusions as the MDA and, as such, it would be wrong for MDA to ignore the panel in "this rare instance" where a majority disagreed with MDA's initial classification, said Ms Ho.
Sex.Violence.FamilyValues' director Ken Kwek is making an appeal to the Films Appeal Committee, an independent 15-member panel chaired by former People's Association chief executive director Tan Boon Huat.
The MDA had made unusual decisions in the past for controversial films. Last year, it gave the Oscar-nominated drama, The Kids Are All Right, an R21 rating. But it had to be shown on only one screen. The MDA said the film, about a lesbian couple and their family, normalised a homosexual family unit.
Only three R21 commercial films in the past 15 years have been given such a condition. The other two had too much Chinese dialect.
Only three R21 commercial films in the past 15 years have been given such a condition. The other two had too much Chinese dialect.
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