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20 Apr 2007

gay movie, solos, pulled from singapore film festival schedule

Solos - undoubtedly the most sexually explicit gay movie to be made in Singapore - will not be screened at a local film festival as censors demand three cuts to the 77-minute dialogue-less film.

Much to the dismay of many gay film enthusiasts, Solos, a made-in-Singapore movie about the relationship between a junior college student and his male teacher, will not be holding its World Premiere in its home country.

From the top: movie poster; scenes from Solos
In a press statement issued today, the producers of the film announced that the film - which was originally scheduled on April 25 at the 2007 Singapore International Film Festival - will not be screened "to preserve the principle that films at the festival should be shown uncut."

Starring veteran Singapore actor Lim Yu-Beng as the teacher, co-director and screenplay writer Loo Zi-han as the student and Goh Guat Kian as the latter's mother who suffers from depression, the dialogue-less film is said to be inspired by true events of a teacher-student relationship.

Although the public would not be able to see the film, it will be shown at a private screening for the festival's jury as it is the only Singaporean film of 11 in competition for the festival's Silver Screen awards.

The decision follows the rejection of the producers' appeal to the Board of Film Censors which had earlier rated the film R21 with three cuts in the film.

Producer Florence Ang has expressed her disappointment with the censorship board's decision. She questioned the board's rationale in defence of film festival goers whom she believes do not need to be "sheltered" by the censorship board.

"What is the benchmark in deciding what should be censored?" Ang said in an interview with Fridae.

"Viewers are making a choice when they buy their tickets," she said, noting that festival goers typically peruse programme guides and thus know what they are signing up for and are therefore unlikely to be shocked by the movie's sex scenes.

Totaling less than an estimated five minutes, the three scenes that were cut depict "scenes of homosexual lovemaking" which includes oral and anal sex scenes involving three men, and a shot of a man going down on another in the shower - behind a frosted glass panel.

When asked about how the controversial student-teacher relationship might impact the way the film is being read by a mainstream audience, Ang however prefers for viewers to consider the film's message of keeping communication channels open not only between lovers but also in parent-child relationships as evidenced in the film.

Despite its initial setback, Ang hopes for Solos to be shown at closed door screenings in Singapore in July and at foreign film festivals later in the year.

Singapore

讀者回應

1. 2007-04-20 20:35  
I believe we all "get it"....Singapore wants all things homosexual to simply disappear into the homogenous monotony of their artifical cultural matrix. Do we need to get beat over the head every week? Singapore's predictable, continuous castigations of all things gay are hardly newsworthy. Something, anything, however miniscule, of an affirming nature from that particular city-state WOULD be interesting and worth reading.
2. 2007-04-20 20:58  
I can understand the censorship of gay porn films, but Solo doesn't seem pornographic to me. It's a film. Fundamentally, it's a film with a message to send across. Is it that hard to "conceive"?
回應#3於被作者刪除。
4. 2007-04-20 23:04  
Exactly who or what sets the benchmark to decide what is to be censored. How does one determine the benchmarking was fairly done?
The governing body can "control" or hinder the exposure of what the film Solos (or any other similarly themed film) can potentially create but it will not stall the interested public from reaching out for the film. Interestingly, it may create an uproar or outcry of unfair from somewhere, then perhaps leading to more publicity for both the film and gay community..etc
Like the chicken and egg theory, this can go on and on. I'll just cut to the chase, get the dvd and enjoy it over a private movie session with friends.
5. 2007-04-20 23:06  
they cut everything except the pay
6. 2007-04-20 23:54  
Spelling error....principle not principal.
7. 2007-04-21 00:00  
"....the three scenes that were cut depict "scenes of homosexual lovemaking" which includes oral and anal sex scenes involving three men, and a shot of a man going down on another in the shower - behind a frosted glass panel."

Sounds like someone stole the story of my life!
Dang!
8. 2007-04-21 00:04  
I wonder if they'd pull the scene of someone going down on another in the shower if the one giving was a lady.

...more likely to have it pulled, if the receiver was a woman too.

What they did with Basic Instinct and BB Mountain?
9. 2007-04-21 00:10  
u all dun know meh? This is typical Singapore mah, talk and action cannot meet end one. Talk so much here also cannot change their pornlicy la.hahah!! Go parliment take up more sit la.
10. 2007-04-21 01:14  
There goes singapore goverment again..so much talk about art scenes in singapore...solo goes hollow!
11. 2007-04-21 04:26  
wanna to watch this movie!!!!!!! But ....
12. 2007-04-21 06:47  
Other than this film, there is another home-made docu about a political activist in the past being banned here as well. This issue of censorship and banning films have been ongoing for years.

i applaud the producer of the film for not screening it to preserve its integrity. Wouldn't it be an irony if the film clinches the prestigious SILVER AWARD OF S'pore FIlm Fest and S'poreans are deprived of the chance to watch it?

Anyway, this film is directed by an undergraduate in NTU and he is also the main protaganist of the film. Let's continue to support their effort!
13. 2007-04-21 06:54  
Other than this film, there is another home-made docu about a political activist in the past being banned here as well. This issue of censorship and banning films have been ongoing for years.

i applaud the producer of the film for not screening it to preserve its integrity. Wouldn't it be an irony if the film clinches the prestigious SILVER AWARD OF S'pore FIlm Fest and S'poreans are deprived of the chance to watch it?

Anyway, this film is directed by an undergraduate in NTU and he is also the main protaganist of the film. Let's continue to support their effort!
14. 2007-04-21 07:36  
I really don't understand your government's continuing censorship in this field. Who, exactly, are they 'protecting' by removing stuff that sounds like it would be considered tame by Western standards? And, in an era of widespread broadband access to serious Porn of every flavour and variety, what is the point in censoring a tiny film that's (sorry!) unlikely to spread far beyond Singapore herself, and beyond a market niche? It's pure foolishness and another insulting example of adults being treated like foolish children that must be led by people in power that know 'better'. Oh well; another week, another example to us in the West of pointless red tape by (Singaporean) Jobsworths...
15. 2007-04-21 08:16  
They always say they are protecting the 'wemen and chillun' '. But obviously they are trying to protect their own boys from being homosexualised.
回應#16於被作者刪除。
17. 2007-04-21 10:38  
If chewing gum is bing fined in Singapore, how do you think gay issues are being treated? Wake up sis! Do you expect gay films like Solo, despite their honesty, artistry and wisdom are given well round of applaus by the policy makers? They are sticking to the policy that if you opt for gay relationships, do it in the privacy of your own rooms but be sure to roll down the blinds and close the curtains tightly or the neighbors might sue you for indecency or the cops arrest you for criminal/abnormal acts. This is how bad it gets. Ever heard of the saying "...and the truth shall set you free"? Well, if where you live is uptight about the truth or obstructs revelations, then you ain't really free baby! It's as simple as that dear.
18. 2007-04-21 13:42  
Another form of descrimination towards US...we all have to accept the fact that there are still a lot of people out there are disgusted by our sex lives...even though is none of their business...they are still trying to poke their nose into our matters...which we mean no harm to them at all...because HOMOSEXUALITY is all about yourself...none can admit that they are influenced...
19. 2007-04-21 16:49  
I feel really sad that there is so much intolerence in the world. The law makers in Sg are not too much different from the lawmakers in most countries - they are just less tolerent. Being gay and depicting gay lifestyles will always be looked down upon by the ruling hetrosexuals. While it's a pity I agree with those below who said it's not really news. We have to just accept that and keep on trying. Attitudes have most certainly softened over the past 20 years and eventually the tolerence levels will be higher than they are in 2007. It is up to all of us to just keep on trying to normalise our lifestlye.
20. 2007-04-21 17:32  
it a pity tis wont be shown in SG. went to check out the movie preview on http://www.solosmovie.com/
very nice. Pretty artistic. Very nice pictures & colors'.

Its alive, they should show it. its abt a different Life. diff emotions. abt Love.

Be With Me was also dialogue-less. With some lesbian content, y can tat be shown and no tis?

Dun understand.
21. 2007-04-21 18:16  
It's a very sad case....... tis place is plainly pure depression.....
22. 2007-04-21 19:25  
(to: anhdie below, and any others who feel the same :) Don't be depressed SG boys...your oppressive government leaders would jump for joy and pop bubbly for days if they could throw you all in jail and threw away the key, or if you all disappeared into the woodwork, killed yourselves from depression or suddenly dropped dead from HIV...but "they ain't gonna get no satisfaction"! Keep partying, speak out, stand up for your human rights, live your lives joyously and loudly, contribute your talents to the world, and stay IN THEIR FACES !!! The ol farts who run the government NOW are gonna grow old and die soon enough. You gay boys and girls can influence the attitudes of the next generation of gevernment replacements, by being strong and united and by contributing to your society in positive valuable ways and becoming great role models for the next generation of young boys and girls who will somedayreplace you.
23. 2007-04-21 23:22  
They better wake up..the whole world is accepting it..they should accept us eventually..Sigh~..it would have made an interesting show to watch..and of course it will resonates with many of us who has crushes on our very own teachers :P
24. 2007-04-22 00:06  
Dear Miss Florence Ang.

Just put film on BT or Emule or some site where people can download for a fee.

Whatever it is, films are meant to be seen by PEOPLE, and not just film festival participants.

Give the public a chance to watch and judge the film on its own merits.

Thank very much.
25. 2007-04-22 02:55  
What's new? Anything that's not regulated here would be more the exception than the rule. So, why need we be appalled by film censorship here when, if we're brutally honest with ourselves, we don't really have the freedom to choose what we view or read? Anyway, give it a couple of months and we'll be able to get a DVD version of "Solos" (in all its uncensored glory) from JB :-) Problem solved :-)
26. 2007-04-22 13:46  
was at Starbucks yest & read the IS magazine... inside stated Solos will be at the National Musuem on Wed, 25 Apr @ 7pm? is tat so? Tickets available at Sistic @ $8.40...

hmm...?
27. 2007-04-22 15:33  
How utterly embarrasing for all Singaporeans. A local film that cant be shown at home.Isnt it time to pull away from daddys hand and start making your own decsions about what you can or cant see. Banning will naturally only make the film more popular.
28. 2007-04-22 20:39  
An asshole sized city that legalises ANAL and ORAL sex for straight people BUT keeps it a crimminal offence in the Penal Code for gay people. Tell me truly, is there anything even remotely worth discussing about this country?

There's ONLY ONE way to make changes. Change the government. Till then, despite all the "noise" Singaporeans claim to make, they deserve their own government elected- period!
29. 2007-04-23 13:36  
ha ha ha...I LOVE comment #26 below from jammyboi...good points:
a. asshole sized city-state (nice metaphor)
b. nothing worth discussing (not for us who have a life)
c. one way to make changes (duh...why didn't THEY think of that?)
d. deserve their own government (complaining on a website is so much more convenient than taking to the streets with plackards or going to the polls to elect new leaders)
When something positive, a step FORWARD in gay-rights occurs in SG, and is reported on, then it's worth writing about and worth reading...until then...
30. 2007-04-23 23:59  
* Singapore government is very conservative.

* I hope banning Madonna's Confessions Tour DVD & Solos gay film will make them more popular in Singapore.
31. 2007-04-24 08:00  
Typical, not suprising at all.
32. 2007-04-25 00:05  
Maybe some of the pro-gay senators in USA shoulda pushed Sgpore to accept chewing gum AND non-gay discriminatory laws during the drafting of the FTA
33. 2007-04-27 14:43  
i was like wondering.. its like guy-girl sex scene they do sometimes allow people to watch but why not guy-guy sex scene.. its like so unfair to all the gay guys out there..
回應#34於被作者刪除。
35. 2007-05-28 19:46  
It's shit like this- & a whole lot of other domestic policies- that made me wonder how sincere the government really is in "remaking Singapore"
*rolls eyes*

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