Vietnamese gay film screening cancelled over ‘technical’ problem
A screening of a same-sex romance foreign film, scheduled to be held at the Penang Performing Arts Centre (PenangPAC) today, has been cancelled.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, stage manager Arnold Hooi , 30, said the screening of the film Lost in Paradise had to be cancelled due to a technical problem.
“We had to switch it to another film after realising certain scenes could not be played smoothly due to the problems with the CD (compact disc),” he said.
Arnolld declined to comment further when asked if screening the original film would have upset Muslim sensitivities.
“I am unable to give any comments on the issue for now,” he said...
A screening of a same-sex romance foreign film, scheduled to be held at the Penang Performing Arts Centre (PenangPAC) today, has been cancelled.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, stage manager Arnold Hooi , 30, said the screening of the film Lost in Paradise had to be cancelled due to a technical problem.
“We had to switch it to another film after realising certain scenes could not be played smoothly due to the problems with the CD (compact disc),” he said.
Arnolld declined to comment further when asked if screening the original film would have upset Muslim sensitivities.
“I am unable to give any comments on the issue for now,” he said.
PenangPAC announced yesterday evening on its Facebook page that the film West Side Story would be screened instead.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances, the film that was scheduled for viewing has now been replaced. We sincerely apologise if any inconveniences caused,” the post read.
It described the 1961 US film as a “musical in which a modern-day Romeo and Juliet are involved in New York street gangs".
Yesterday, the media picked up how Lost in Paradise, a 2011 Vietnamese film directed by Vu Ngoc Dang, showed a same-sex relationship between the two main characters.
The screening, scheduled for 8pm at its venue in Tanjung Tokong, was for adults only.
In an earlier Facebook post yesterday, PenangPAC had shared the poster for Lost in Paradise and included a short caption saying “The world’s best film this month, we present Vietnam’s first gay film”.
The post has since been taken down.
Meanwhile, state executive councillor on Islamic Affairs Abdul Malik Kassim said his department has invited PenangPAC for a meeting about the issue.
"I only knew about the movie screening today, and I understand it has been cancelled by PenangPAC," he said in a statement today.
He said the PenangPAC is an individual enterprise and is not related to the state government.
"However, to fulfil my duty as the exco for Islamic Affairs, I must meet PenangPAC to discuss the matter," added Malik, who is also PKR Batu Maung assemblyperson.
