Taiwan's highest-grossing film this year rejected by Singapore

 
Singapore's stringent movie screening body rejected Taiwan's highest-
grossing film this year because it `creates the illusion of a homosexual utopia'
As though Cindarella and Fight Club are very realistic... yet another ridiculous move by the Conservative Right in Singapore.
 
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SINGAPORE: Socially conservative Singapore bans popular gay-oriented
Taiwanese film
 
Singapore's stringent movie screening body rejected Taiwan's highest-
grossing film this year because it `creates the illusion of a homosexual utopia'
Taipei Times
 
Sex and the City may be suitable for audiences in Singapore, but
censors have drawn the line at Taiwan's highest-grossing film this
year, banning the teenage romantic comedy because of its gay theme.
Formula 17, which has grossed double the US$100,000 it cost to make,
was banned, because it encouraged homosexuality, Singapore's Films
Appeals Committee said yesterday.
It said panel members thought the film "creates an illusion of a
homosexual utopia, where everyone, including passersby, is homosexual
and no ills or problems are reflected."
"It conveys the message that homosexuality is normal, and a natural
progression of society," the panel said.
Singapore has loosened some of its stuffy social controls in recent
years, partially relaxing a ban on chewing gum in January, allowing
some bars to stay open for 24 hours and ending a ban on the US sitcom
Sex and the City last week. But many tough rules remain. Playboy
magazine is still banned, while oral sex remains technically illegal
under a law that says "whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse
against the order of nature with any man, woman or animals" can be
fined and jailed up to 10 years, or even for life.
The government said in January it plans to review its sex laws, and
oral sex would most probably be decriminalized -- but only between
men and women. The panel said it took into account the findings of a
recent survey that more than 70 percent of Singaporeans are not
receptive to homosexual lifestyles.
Formula 17, directed by a 23-year-old, has been a sensation in
Taiwan, its box-office earnings making it the most successful
homegrown film this year, media reports said.

Date Posted: 7/23/2004
 

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