LPF among strictest film vetting authority in the world - Afdlin Shauki

SHAH ALAM - The Malaysian Film Censorship Board (LPF) is among the strictest film vetting authority in the world.

Recalling his experience, Malaysian actor, producer and director Datuk Afdlin Shauki said when he produced his film “Papadom”, the LPF has summoned him and asked him to remove a scene where a daughter raised her voice at her father.

“They (LPF) summoned me and asked me to remove that particular scene if it was unnecessary.

“It means that our censorship board is among the strictest in the world. Anything that seemed off even slightly, they would question it,” he told Sinar Daily.

Afdlin was responding to a recently released trailer of a local film entitled “Pulau” which sparked controversies as many believed that it was too inappropriate as the trailer featured steamy scenes.

Since the trailer was released on social media, people have been questioning the LPF for approving the screening of the horror flick.

LPF then in a statement responded saying that the content submitted for censorship was different than what was shown in the trailer.

In regards to the thriller movie's eyebrow-raising marketing approach through its heated trailer, Afdlin said non-Malay Malaysian filmmakers may have a different vision which however did not offend the legislation since they were not tied to the LPF's standards on social media.

However, he admitted that it had confused the public and got them questioning whether the scenes in the trailer were going to be released on the big screen.

He insisted that LPF would not allow such sensitive content.

“If they had summoned me because my kid (actress in Papadom) was portraying an angry child towards her parent, how could they possibly let these kinds of scenes (in Pulau trailer) out?.

“If they did, then that would be a double standard, which I think would not happen.

“The LPF had done its responsibility and it is truly strict,” he said.

He said the producer of "Pulau" might have released the trailer on social media for the international market as it was their strategy.

The 52-year old director also pointed out that LPF should appoint board members who have adequate understanding of matters related to film and storytelling.

“I once attended a briefing by LPF where we were told that in a scene involving a high speed chase between the police and criminal, both sides need to buckle up and if the traffic light turns red, they need to stop.

“We were puzzled. How do we go about doing that for such a scene?.

“I think it might be because those who joined the board might not be experienced with film and storytelling,” he said.

Noting that LPF was very strict, Afdlin said he did not want outsiders to think that the board was lenient to the point that filmmakers could do anything they wished.

Meanwhile, fellow actor, producer, and director Datuk Hans Isaac said it was up to the LPF to approve the screening of “Pulau”.

He said he has not watched the trailer, but if LPF which is under the Home Ministry’s jurisdiction decided to approve the screening of the film, then there was no reason for it not to be screened.

"Since then, filmmakers have always complained when there were too many scenes being cut out or removed. It's all up to them," he said recalling his experience in dealing with the authority.

With the online platform, he said there was bound to be a problem as it was open and there was no censorship.

"I think our society is matured enough to evaluate what they want or do not want to see because if we want to control 100 per cent with social media, it would be impossible," he added.