This Local Film Is Banned In Malaysia, So The Filmmakers Are Putting It Up Online Instead
“It’s still forbidden to screen the film in Malaysian cinemas. So we decided to make the film available for free on Internet."
By John Lim — 22 Feb 2017, 12:08 PM
The producers of award-winning movie 'Absent Without Leave', which was banned by the government due to communist overtones, will make the film available to Malaysian viewers for free
The controversial documentary is directed by Sitiawan-born Lau Kek Huat and recounts the story of his grandfather's experiences during the insurgency
It has been shown in several film festivals around the world including South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore, where it won the Singapore International Film Festival’s Audience Award.
"Intensely heartfelt without being overly sentimental, 'Absent Without Leave', navigates the murky waters of Malayan history that appears far removed from the present," a synopsis on the Singapore International Film Festival website reads.
The movie took five years to make and cost Lau over RM80,000.
Hummingbird Production - the company behind the film - has set up a Facebook event where the film will be made available from 28 February to 5 March 2017
"It's still forbidden to screen the film in Malaysian cinemas. So we decided to make the film available for free on the internet - only for Malaysian audience - in the week from 28 February to 5 March 2017," the company said.
A link to the film will be sent to those who click on the "going" button on the Facebook Event which can be accessed here.