Much to the dismay of many gay film enthusiasts, Solos, a made-in-Singapore movie about the relationship between a junior college student and his male teacher, will not be holding its World Premiere in its home country.
From the top: movie poster; scenes from Solos
Starring veteran Singapore actor Lim Yu-Beng as the teacher, co-director and screenplay writer Loo Zi-han as the student and Goh Guat Kian as the latter's mother who suffers from depression, the dialogue-less film is said to be inspired by true events of a teacher-student relationship.
Although the public would not be able to see the film, it will be shown at a private screening for the festival's jury as it is the only Singaporean film of 11 in competition for the festival's Silver Screen awards.
The decision follows the rejection of the producers' appeal to the Board of Film Censors which had earlier rated the film R21 with three cuts in the film.
Producer Florence Ang has expressed her disappointment with the censorship board's decision. She questioned the board's rationale in defence of film festival goers whom she believes do not need to be "sheltered" by the censorship board.
"What is the benchmark in deciding what should be censored?" Ang said in an interview with Fridae.
"Viewers are making a choice when they buy their tickets," she said, noting that festival goers typically peruse programme guides and thus know what they are signing up for and are therefore unlikely to be shocked by the movie's sex scenes.
Totaling less than an estimated five minutes, the three scenes that were cut depict "scenes of homosexual lovemaking" which includes oral and anal sex scenes involving three men, and a shot of a man going down on another in the shower - behind a frosted glass panel.
When asked about how the controversial student-teacher relationship might impact the way the film is being read by a mainstream audience, Ang however prefers for viewers to consider the film's message of keeping communication channels open not only between lovers but also in parent-child relationships as evidenced in the film.
Despite its initial setback, Ang hopes for Solos to be shown at closed door screenings in Singapore in July and at foreign film festivals later in the year.
Reader's Comments
The governing body can "control" or hinder the exposure of what the film Solos (or any other similarly themed film) can potentially create but it will not stall the interested public from reaching out for the film. Interestingly, it may create an uproar or outcry of unfair from somewhere, then perhaps leading to more publicity for both the film and gay community..etc
Like the chicken and egg theory, this can go on and on. I'll just cut to the chase, get the dvd and enjoy it over a private movie session with friends.
Sounds like someone stole the story of my life!
Dang!
...more likely to have it pulled, if the receiver was a woman too.
What they did with Basic Instinct and BB Mountain?
i applaud the producer of the film for not screening it to preserve its integrity. Wouldn't it be an irony if the film clinches the prestigious SILVER AWARD OF S'pore FIlm Fest and S'poreans are deprived of the chance to watch it?
Anyway, this film is directed by an undergraduate in NTU and he is also the main protaganist of the film. Let's continue to support their effort!
i applaud the producer of the film for not screening it to preserve its integrity. Wouldn't it be an irony if the film clinches the prestigious SILVER AWARD OF S'pore FIlm Fest and S'poreans are deprived of the chance to watch it?
Anyway, this film is directed by an undergraduate in NTU and he is also the main protaganist of the film. Let's continue to support their effort!
very nice. Pretty artistic. Very nice pictures & colors'.
Its alive, they should show it. its abt a different Life. diff emotions. abt Love.
Be With Me was also dialogue-less. With some lesbian content, y can tat be shown and no tis?
Dun understand.
Just put film on BT or Emule or some site where people can download for a fee.
Whatever it is, films are meant to be seen by PEOPLE, and not just film festival participants.
Give the public a chance to watch and judge the film on its own merits.
Thank very much.
hmm...?
There's ONLY ONE way to make changes. Change the government. Till then, despite all the "noise" Singaporeans claim to make, they deserve their own government elected- period!
a. asshole sized city-state (nice metaphor)
b. nothing worth discussing (not for us who have a life)
c. one way to make changes (duh...why didn't THEY think of that?)
d. deserve their own government (complaining on a website is so much more convenient than taking to the streets with plackards or going to the polls to elect new leaders)
When something positive, a step FORWARD in gay-rights occurs in SG, and is reported on, then it's worth writing about and worth reading...until then...
* I hope banning Madonna's Confessions Tour DVD & Solos gay film will make them more popular in Singapore.
*rolls eyes*
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