KUALA LUMPUR – Kuman Pictures, the production house that released Malaysia’s first-ever crowdfunded movie Pendatang, appears to have downplayed the possibility of screening the movie in schools.
This comes after National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) chairman Datuk Kamil Othman proposed that Pendatang be incorporated in schools’ syllabus to foster understanding of race relations in the country.
In a post on its official X account today, Kuman Pictures said that it views Kamil’s statement as his own personal opinion which might not necessarily reflect Finas’ policies.
“We consider (Kamil’s) statement to be just a personal opinion with an element of hyperbole (and) does not reflect Finas’ position.
“We will continue to screen (Pendatang) the way it is currently being shared now,” it added.
Yesterday, Kamil said in an X posting that Pendatang should be screened in schools to “invite discussions, and dismantle deep-seated perceptions and prejudice” as a “small step towards a desired destination.”
Responding to a question about the censorship board approval needed for the film to be screened in schools, Kamil insisted that it was the regulator’s discretion although certain arrangements could be made on the matter.
“Can’t speak on behalf of the Film Censorship Board but looking at the film objectively, some leeway might be possible,” Kamil said.
At press time, the 1-hour-and-38-minute long film has garnered more than 406,000 views since its release December 21 via video streaming platform YouTube.
Amir Muhammad, founder of Kuman Pictures as well as a prominent filmmaker and author, has since acknowledged the enthusiastic response from viewers and netizens who shared both praise and criticism following Pendatang’s release.
Kick-started in July 2022, Pendatang stands as Malaysia’s maiden fully crowdfunded movie, aiming to present a unique perspective on the potential impact and danger of racial politics on the lives of ordinary individuals.
The movie had also been reportedly produced with a shoestring budget of RM300,000, mostly from funds raised by the public.
The dystopian thriller unfolds in a fictional Malaysia where different races are forbidden to mix, enforced by draconian laws.
The narrative kicks off when a Chinese family discovers a small Malay girl in their new “allocated” house, prompting a moral dilemma: dispose of her thereby putting her in mortal danger, or risk their safety and lives by attempting to smuggle her back to the “Malay area”. – December 26, 2023