Film producers of #LookAtMe will not appeal ban on film by IMDA

SINGAPORE — Producers of the feature film, #LookAtMe announced in an Instagram post today (27 Oct) that they would not be appealing the ban imposed upon their film by Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). This decision was said to have been made after much internal deliberation.

According to a joint statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) on 17 October, #LookAtMe was assessed to have exceeded the Film Classification Guidelines because it denigrates a religious community and has the potential to cause enmity and social division in Singapore’s multi-racial and multi-religious society.

The 108 minutes film – inspired by real-life events – satires treatment of homosexuality in Singapore, by hitting at the criminalization of hurting religious sentiments, and Section 377A of the Criminal Penal Code — the law that has just been announced to be repealed by the Singapore Prime Minister this year.

While director Ken Kwek and the producing team had said initially that they would submit a formal appeal to ask the government to reconsider its decision, they decided against it after a more comprehensive assessment of the ministries’ statement and the IMDA’s appeals process.

The team behind #LookAtMe cites two reasons for this decision.

 

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1. After studying other recent bans on films with LGBTQ or religious content, it is their assessment that the chances of a successful appeal are exceedingly slim.
2. As part of the appeals process, the film’s producer will have to pay a $500 fee for its case to be considered by IMDA’s Films Appeal Committee.

The producers state that they do not wish to pay any additional costs or compound the loss in local box office revenue already incurred due to the ban.

“Hence, though we disagree with the government’s reasons for the ban, we have decided not to proceed with an appeal.”, said the producers.

According to the producers, #LookAtMe was created by a large team of mostly Singaporean filmmakers and technicians, all dedicated to producing high-quality cinema.

Besides publicly thanking their outstanding team and international collaborators, the producers also thanked the Singapore International Film Festival for expressing support for the film, despite not being able to screen at its upcoming edition.

“We are proud of the film’s achievements on the international stage but remains saddened that it cannot be shared with a domestic audience.”

Taking issue with how the film informs the viewer that its content is inspired by true events in its opening scene, local authorities have said in their joint statement on 17 October that this implies that religious leaders in Singapore have engaged in such behaviour.

“The allegations may be perceived to offensive, defamatory and contrary to the (Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act), in that it may be seen as unfairly attacking a religious figure, as well as cause offence to religious beliefs,”

The authorities also voiced concern over how the film’s protagonist declares his intention and makes preparations to violently attack a religious figure.

IMDA said that it had sought the views of its advisory committees and was guided by the Film Classification guidelines to have made its decision to refuse the classification of the film. This decision is supported by MHA and MCCY.

Under the guidelines, a film may be refused classification if the content:

• undermines public order or is likely to be prejudicial to national interest;
• denigrates any racial or religious community;
• promotes feelings of ill-will or hostility between different racial or religious groups;