‘Be mindful when you make your movie’: Hans Isaac tells filmmakers to respect censorship guidelines

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 — Malaysian filmmakers must take greater responsibility and understand the boundaries set by the country's film censorship guidelines, said National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) chairman Datuk Hans Isaac. This follows the controversy surrounding the drama Madu atau Racun, which has sparked national debate and led to the series being temporarily removed from iQIYI for re-editing and reassessment.

The drama faced backlash for scenes featuring same-sex romance that were deemed to contradict religious and cultural values.

During a recent launch at Menara Finas, Isaac clarified that Finas, while a key player in the Malaysian film industry, does not hold the authority for censorship. He emphasized that the Lebanga Penapis Filem (LPF) is the responsible body. Isaac also mentioned that Finas is working with relevant authorities to provide filmmakers with more space for self-expression while adhering to the existing guidelines.

He urged filmmakers to be well-versed in the guidelines and to think critically about what can and cannot be included in their productions.

Isaac called on Malaysian filmmakers to be more mature and considerate when dealing with sensitive issues, given the country's diverse demographic. He suggested that if filmmakers want to create content that goes against the established norms, they should consider making it in countries with more lenient censorship laws, such as the UK or the US. Isaac stressed that filmmakers should always consider the broader impact of their work and "look at the big picture."

He urged filmmakers to reflect on Malaysia's nationalism and to ensure that their movies are acceptable to all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion. Isaac concluded by encouraging filmmakers to make Malaysian stories while being mindful of the diverse perspectives within the nation.