The film #LookAtMe, by Singaporean director Ken Kwek, may not be sold, rented, possessed, imported or made public in the city-state, according to the decision announced on Monday October 17 by the Media and Information Development Authority, which notably regulates the distribution of films.
According to a joint statement from the Ministries of Interior, Culture, Youth and the Media and Information Development Authority, the film, which tells how the protagonist is offended by the position of a pastor towards homosexuality, “may lead to divisions and animosity”details Channel News Asia.
The Audiovisual Regulatory Authority believes that certain descriptions of the pastor, and in particular a sound passage, evoke a practicing pastor, which raises fears of reactions on the spot. At the opening of the film, it is indicated that it is inspired by real events.
Too close to reality
In the film, the protagonist posts an inflammatory comment on social media about this pastor, whose behavior goes against what he preaches. This message goes viral, leading to a series of events that throw the family into disarray.
“The film’s allegations may be perceived as offensive, defamatory”, explains the regulatory authority. They can be perceived as “unjustly attacking a religious figure and offending religious beliefs”.
This film is a satire of the treatment of homosexuality in the city-state, which attacks in particular section 377A of the Penal Code, which prohibits male homosexuality. The Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong, announced on August 21 the forthcoming repeal of this text, which would put an end to the criminalization of homosexuality.
Regretting this decision, the film crew pointed out that #LookAtMe was “a work of fiction”, who “aims to entertain and encourage discussion of important social issues”, cite The South China Morning Post.