Latest News

#LookAtMe: Film on religious, LGBTQ issues banned by Singaporean govt

A movie titled “Look At Me” by a Singaporean film-maker, Ken Kwek has “exceeded the film classification guidelines” and cannot be screened locally, according to a statement issued Monday by regulator Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).

The film premiered in July at the New York Asian Film Festival, where it was in competition for Best Feature and won a Special Jury award for Best Performance.

IMDA’s statement, issued jointly with the country’s culture and interior ministries, said the film “denigrates a religious community and has the potential to cause enmity and social division in Singapore’s multi-racial and multi-religious society”.

It revolves around a lead character who takes offence at a male pastor’s stand on homosexuality and posts an “incendiary” comment on social media which goes viral.

Tensions arise, with the protagonist “plotting a revenge attack” on the pastor, who is also portrayed as engaging in an act prohibited by his religious faith.

“The context may be seen to be suggesting or encouraging violence against the pastor,” IMDA said.

The team behind the movie said in a statement they were disappointed with the decision and will lodge an appeal.

“#LookAtMe is a work of cinematic fiction. The film seeks to entertain and encourage conversations on important social issues that are relevant to Singapore,” they said.

The team voiced hope that Singapore residents will be able to watch the film, which it said had been selected for screening at the Singapore International Film Festival in December.

While the city-state boasts a modern and vibrant culture, attitudes towards homosexuality remain conservative.

However, support for gay rights has been growing in recent years, with huge crowds attending Singapore’s annual Pink Dot gay rights rally.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in August said the country will repeal a colonial-era law criminalising sex between men, but will continue to define marriage as between a man and a woman.

AFP

Ben Idah

Recent Posts

BREAKING: APC Crisis: Court of Appeal dismisses Moses Agaba’s appeal against Austin Agada

The Court of Appeal in Makurdi, Benue State, on Thursday dismissed an appeal filed by…

4 hours ago

BBNaija’s Phyna publicly rejects family, drops surname

Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner, Josephine Ijeoma Otabor, also known as Phyna, has publicly…

4 hours ago

Yemi Alade slams Cool FM, Clout Africa over blacklisting, refusal to forgive

Nigerian singer Yemi Alade has criticized prominent media outlets Cool FM and Clout Africa, accusing…

4 hours ago

BREAKING: Relief as Lakurawa terrorists flee Nigeria after military intervention

Senator Adamu Aliero, representing Kebbi Central, has announced that the Nigerian military successfully expelled the…

5 hours ago

BREAKING: Supreme Court nullifies National Lottery Act, grants states exclusive control

The Supreme Court has struck down the National Lottery Act of 2005, ruling that the…

5 hours ago

Latest update on fuel price hike, fuel scarcity for November 22nd, 2024

As Nigerians express their frustrations over the recent fuel price hikes by the Nigerian National…

10 hours ago