Khairi said the Film Censorship Board’s (LPF) stringent prerequisites meant filmmakers had to censor their own works to prevent cuts from the final version screened in cinemas.
“Self-censoring as a filmmaker and artiste is never a good thing. It makes us think that our ideas are not ready for the audience. When we do this, we just produce films that make people laugh and cry, but never anything more than that,” he told FMT in an interview.
He said many local films that pushed boundaries were celebrated globally and had even won awards at the Cannes Film Festival and Golden Horse Awards, yet lacked recognition in the country.
Khairi criticised the censors for often rejecting films they deemed “uncomfortable”, saying they believed the younger generation was not ready for such content.
“I disagree with the older government servants telling us what not to watch. We will not move forward as a country as it (their action) limits the exploration of new ideas,” he said.
“Mentega Terbang” was banned by the home ministry on Sept 1 last year following public backlash over scenes that allegedly contravene Islamic teachings.
This is not an isolated case, as Malaysian films have recently garnered public attention due to issues of censorship and bans.
In May last year, local film “Tiger Stripes” won the grand prize at the Cannes Film Festival’s Critics’ Week.
However, it was heavily censored when screened in Malaysia last October, leading director Amanda Nell Eu to disown the altered version, saying the “very essence of why she made the film” had been removed.
Freedom Film Network co-founder Brenda Danker also believes the government’s strict censorship has restricted freedom of expression in film.
She asked why LPF is parked under the home ministry, which is in charge of public order and security but not specifically tasked with overseeing the development of film art and creative works.
“Film is the only medium that needs prior censorship (before release). This, of course, restricts filmmakers when creating their stories,” she said.
She said Malaysia needed to follow the footsteps of countries that had moved away from state-led censorship for their films.
“The cultural ministry in Thailand just drafted a new movies and games bill to create a self-governing council for movies.
“I think this is good because it makes filmmakers responsible, while allowing them to tell the stories they want to tell within the parameters set by themselves,” she said.
The bill, finalised last November, aims to empower producers by shifting censorship authority from the government as well as protect younger audiences through a self-regulated rating system, ensuring age-appropriate and responsibly produced content.
Under the proposed law, the government will relinquish the authority to dictate edits, cuts or bans on films and games, while also establishing a dedicated fund to support talents in the industry.