'Pendatang' Won't Be Screened In Schools, Kuman Pictures Confirms
FINAS chairman Kamil Othman had suggested Kuman Pictures to screen 'Pendatang' in schools.
By Sukhbir Cheema — 26 Dec 2023, 03:04 PM
Kuman Pictures, the producers of Pendatang, will continue screening the film for free on YouTube instead of in schools
According to the New Straits Times, National Film Development Corporation Malaysia's (FINAS) chairman Kamil Othman suggested the film's producers screen the film in schools.
Kamil suggested screenings of the film in schools to encourage discussions on Malaysia's multiracial society.
In a post on X, Kuman Pictures said Kamil's suggestion was a personal opinion with an element of hyperbole
"We consider that statement to be just a personal opinion with an element of hyperbole. It does not reflect the position of FINAS.
"We will continue to screen it the way it is being shared now," Kuman Pictures said in the post on Tuesday, 26 December.
As of the time of writing, Pendatang is close to hitting 400,000 YouTube views — a superb feat for a Malaysian crowdfunded film
The Cantonese-language dystopian thriller premiered on YouTube on 21 December, receiving rave reviews from viewers for raising awareness of racism in Malaysia.
The film's director, Ng Ken Kin, had said the YouTube premiere was aimed at avoiding potential censorship from the Malaysian Film Censorship Board (LPF).
The film was made possible after Kuman Pictures received a total of RM400,000 during its crowdfunding efforts.
