#SHOWBIZ: Josiah open to risky roles that respect local boundaries
KUALA LUMPUR: Actor Josiah Hogan is open to portraying LGBTQ+ characters if offered, viewing it as a worthy test of his acting chops, provided the portrayal respects local religious and cultural sensitivities.
KUALA LUMPUR - Actor Josiah Hogan, the 40-year-old Texas-born talent, expressed openness to portraying LGBTQ+ characters in films, provided the representation respects Malaysia's religious and cultural sensitivities. Discussing the upcoming Orang Perang, Hogan emphasized that while such roles challenge actors, local creators must adhere to societal limits and industry guidelines.
He stated that complex themes can be subtly conveyed through symbolism, avoiding overtly graphic content. Negotiation between actors and directors is crucial for navigating controversial scenes, especially as actors sometimes discover explicit material only after signing contracts and attending script readings. Hogan stressed the importance of focusing on the message while observing proper limits, guided by Malaysia's core national values and the Rukun Negara.
With over 16 years in the local entertainment scene, he cautioned against relying on cheap controversy or viral trends over solid storytelling, noting that the local audience still has boundaries on what they deem acceptable.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
