Malaysia’s National Film Development Corporation (Finas) has released a statement over the controversial trailer for upcoming horror film Pulau.
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The statement takes umbrage over sexual scenes of kissing and lovemaking and women in bikinis in the trailer that have ignited public debate over the film, with Finas chief executive officer Prof Dr Md Nasir Ibrahim telling mStar: “The trailer has to be re-edited. The clip highlights sensationalised scenes to attract attention.”
“It needs to be changed to safeguard national sensitivities of our multicultural country,” he said, adding that Finas’ corporate communications unit had already extended a reprimand to the film’s producers.
The executive also pointed out that the controversy itself has become a gimmick and free publicity for the film. “This controversy can help us create detailed guidelines that will not strangle creativity. If the guidelines are too tight there will be issues as well, so everything must be made clear,” he concluded.
Set to be released this March 9, the first trailer for Pulau was released in mid-January and sets the stage for a group of friends who plan to stay on a deserted island overnight,…
