Fridae

"It's contrary to our culture."... as with anything that is remotely humorous

But you're too late Darling. The dvd is already being widely circulated amongst KL's gay community.

Oh I see, so "gay life is (...) contrary to Malaysia's culture". Which implies that homosexuality is strictly cultural (and Western of course, yurk!) Wow, thank you Malaysian censors, so now we know !

Funny. Almost as funny as the movie itself.

Yes, hihihi, a few politically correct, straight-thinking, tight-assed AND gay (we are, after all, allowed to be stupid too aren't we?) would-be censors in the US were outraged because the movie assumes that viewers are intelligent enough to make the difference between plain homophobia and second-degree jokes. The controversy is probably as old as humour itself, as is the unfortunate confusion between "rude" and "vulgar".

Censors, gay or straight, western, eastern or whatever else, always think they are the only ones with a brain and tha the "general public" (whoever that may be) needs to be told what is right and what is wrong. Thing is, they have power. What do we have to oppose ?

"The movie had come under fire in the US as gay groups warn that the movie may further encourage gay stereotypes than to dispel them" what a joke that is they shouldn't have the audacity to complain to loudly lets face it this straight boi nails it immitating sad pathetic gay men in the west who believe their own propaganda of being 'fashionistas', U just got to watch a shambolic Mardis Gras parade in Sydney to see just how unfortunately accurate his Bruno characters portrayals are, but they call it 'self empowerment'

the singapore version was heavily censored - although at least they didn't ban it i suppose (how sad when heavy censorship is considered the silver lining)

gay is totally contrary to malaysian culture but men having sex with other men is. To be honest, who wants to watch this movie in the malaysian cinemas? Lets get a bottle of wine, some pork scratchings and kick off the shoes and watch the DVD with friends. And cap it of with a little bit of truly asian butt action!

From the decision of the censorship board of Malaysia banning Bruno in Malaysia, it shows one thing: that the so called people living in the stone age up there are restricting Malaysians from watching what they are not supposed to watch, and what they are supposed to watch, using the mindset of a frog trapped in the well, always thinking that the sky is the size of the well they are in.

Gay and political movies will never make it to Malaysia cinemas, if the censors feel that the movie cannot meet the 'guidelines', so please get it clear. See what happens to Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain? It got a 'banned' by the censors. Thus the distributor replaced Brokeback with Steven Spielberg's Munich. It got a 'banned' again for Munich deals with Isreal and Palestenian issues. In the end, they had to replace both movies with Jack Neo's so called politically correct 'I Not Stupid Too', which was passed by the censors.

Just recently, Malaysia censors banned Rob Zombie's Halloween 2 for being too bloody and sexually explicit, which was supposed to be screen during the Raya season. Many people can sense that the censors are simply making way for 2 crappy Raya movie, which was a flop eventually. Unfortunately, this is what we saw: any silly and uncreative productions made by Malaysia will get the green light, and they are rated suitable for any age. Good movies dealing with controversial issues will never be able to make it to the cinemas.

Back to Cohen's previous production, Borat. It was banned in Malaysia as well for similar reasons, minus the gay theme. Conclusion: anything that is deemed cotroversial will never make it to Malaysia cinemas, thanks to their censorship guidelines that failed to move on with times (at least not for the next century.)

While I agree that Bruno was heavily censored in Singapore, Board of Film Censors Singapore has seemed to censored the wrong part of the mockumentary. Tasteless and offensive racist elements gets the green light, while gay sex ends up on the censor's chopping board. Anyway, this is not the first time a gay-themed movie gets slaughtered or butchered in Singapore.

If censors of both countries are still living in prehistoric age, it will simply put the movie industry to an end. Reason: people will opt for free downloading of an uncut and uncensored version of the movie, rather than paying S$10/RM15 to watch a butchered movie. Film makers will ceased to make a movie in future when people opt for free downloading of movies.

Just want to add something.
You guys remember when the "gay pride" parade was violently opposed (and eventually called off) by "red-shirt" demonstrators in Chiangmai ?
They said exactly the same thing ie that gay culture was contrary to the culture of Northern Thailand.
Interesting.

Haha, funny how this is not pissing me off anymore. I mean, should we even be surprised to begin with? I really don't give a damn about this country anymore. They are self-absorbed, egotistical, obnoxious, & ultimately - their 'intelligence' is an uber ridicule.

well, it's not like they're missing out on much. gay or not-gay, the movie really wasn't very funny and/or entertaining.

Why am I not surprised? Doesn't make a difference anyway. Those who want to watch will be buying the pirated DVDs for sure.

I never want to watch this movie anyway. eww..

hum hum hum... kinda agree with #11. I'm not surprised nor pissed off anymore reading this news. Bruno might not be screened in Jakarta, although I think it's because of the economic reasons rather than the controversy. (movies that too edgy/festival-type attract very few viewers, which means less profit or loss to the distributors/importers)

I've already watched the movie. I was laughing out loud but on the other hand, I would have said that this movie is funny in heavily offensive nature. Releasing this movie for general viewers in my country might not add any value to the perception improvement and acceptance level of gay lifestyle amongst the so-called "religious" majority. I regretfully has to agree (in my very personal opinion) that this movie might strengthen the wrong/negative stereotype of gay people and its lifestyle if its screened (even with heavy censors) for general public in my country. Call me pesimistic, but I think the majority of Indonesians still have not accepted gay lifestyle as a normal (for whatever blah blah blah religious/moral reasons) and can get easily offended by such stereotypes showed in Bruno. Maybe in time, the attitude might changed/improved by more educated, open-minded, and rational generations. I'm not going to compare the condition in Indonesia and Malaysia, but I guess me and my Malaysian gay friends might share the same condition at certain degrees.

However, it's just not the end of the world... In Jakarta, for example, we could watch the movie on DVD (bootleg copy is sold in Chinatown) or we might have a chance to watch the movie (hopefully) on annual Q! Film Festival (Indonesian GLBT-theme movie festival) which has been running for 8 years (correct me if I'm mistaken) now and get quite positive acceptance even though in moderately limited audiences.

Back to the topic, it's a fact that there's a lot of people who still think that they knew what is right and what is wrong for the others. These people, especially the ones in power, will do anything to ensure that their so-called "good values" be applied for everyone, especially when they put the religions and/or morals value as the basis of their actions.

So my dear friends, don't be too emotionally absorbed by this news. It's a fact we are facing now and we knew they will do that anyway. :-) Just watch Bruno on DVD (bootleg can do!) with your friends (str8 or gay or both) and laugh your ass off!

Peace.

This movie was a piece of crap anyway. I might sound heavy handed but I am glad it got banned.

Okay okay, so we all agree that Bruno didn't really do a good job 'promoting' the better light of our community.

But I personally never think that was what the movie was suppose to do, because in the first place, it was NEVER MEANT TO BE.

So c'mon! Take it easy! You should know it's after all, mockumentary.

why is this even posted in news n features anyways??
anyone who is Malaysian(whether gay or not)..would know very well that a movie like that,would never be screened here !!
not that i'd wanna watch it.
so don't bother debating people..
growing up as Malaysians, we are fully aware of our limitations in every aspect.
plus, DVDs are everywhere !!

Not a surprise

Bruno was such a funny movie. Thumbs up!! :D :D

Who needs theatre [in Malaysia] when pirate DVDs or download sites are available? I'd rather indulge myself in my own private home theatre system for a flick like this.

Yes, fuck the censors and watch it on DVDs or download it. However, people need to discuss it and hopefully this will lead to the abolishment of censorship. All creative works should have warnings/classification but never be banned. Censorship/banning is minding control.

Another case of "Close mind, open mouth!"
Who is to say what is offensive to an adult. This country (and others) need to let adults make up their own mind what is offensive and what is not!
The next thing you know, people will not be allowed to leave their house because they might see something offensive!

#23 Great, and exactly which side do you think you and "your people" fall under?

I mean, scapegoat, much?

You can say that as gay men (period), we should be less indifferent towards the banning of this crap ass film. But there is nothing gay "ASIAN"-specific about this movie so how is that even relevant? As if being Asian should somehow factor into our support for "Bruno". Well, what exactly has the gay community as our "allies" (I guess) done to help empower US?

malaysia got 3 races, MALAY, CHINESE, INDIAN.
bear in mind that conservative religion.
old groups even my 72 y/o grandmother also know what is gay. just they are restricted themselves to this ominously words (to them); because their heart not yet fully open for it.

do not outright broadcast gay movie which contains deep & wide dimensions like sex toys.... instead should air gay movies that are not so aggressive first. then gradually develop.

according to psychology expert: ppl cannot accept, know it, comprehend it, digest it, then final is acceptance.

No surprise here....why is this a news story? Its like having a news story titled "Gays not welcome in Saudi Arabia"

#23 it saddens me to read this. From a matsaleh who doesn't live here or know the culture this might have been understandable, but never forgivable. However, you, living in KL, Malaysia, Asia, lump "Asians" into one bag? How totally naive. If Asians are such a "pathetic bunch of losers", then why on earth are you living here? The colonial era is over darling. Stop looking down on people and get real. I can only hope that you got out of bed the wrong side the day you wrote this and don't truly believe it. If you really do, then you really should seriously consider going back to whichever civilised country you came from, where all the lovely white people are not such a pathetic bunch of losers.

#23, I cannot believe you're gay. Oh, or was that too pathetic to hear from an Asian? You, being a gay man should clearly know how discrimination feels, and here you are, big talking & bashing Asians.

Critic my opinion, that's fine, it's your right. But heck, am I not okay with you trying to sound all 'personal', as if you know us all too well. How'd you know I'm letting people walk all over me? To begin with, you think I don't go through shit like what all gay men do? I am deeply insulted, so how dare you.

Everywhere with your comments, you're always out to create some tension. What's with you & your sadness?

And since we are so pathetic, why not YOU get the hell out off Fridae (It was started off by Asians, & slogan? Empowering ASIA.). And since we are such losers, why not YOU quit all the big talking & get out there to do something

Your attitude perfectly explains why gay men are still so being highly discriminated.

Irrespective of whether the movie is crap or not, simply banning it altogether because it is "contrary to our culture" is really no different at all from burning books, a practice I have little trouble believing that Malaysian officials would embrace.

Wawasan 2020 is looking like more and more of a pipe dream, I'm afraid. I think Malaysia is a fantastic country with a load of potential but if the good people of Malaysia allow their nation to be buried in religious dogma and outdated thinking (and not just about sexuality), then that vision will go unrealized.

And #32 -- couldn't agree with your comment more. Well said.

Honestly, many movies have been banned in Malaysia yet have already been released via pirated DVDs.

Censors have an odd sense of determining what needs to be censored in Malaysia.

One such example brought up to me was the fact that in movies with beheadings, it's okay to show a head rolling away, or being picked up and shown to a crowd, but it's NOT okay to show the act, meaning the sword detaching the head from a person's body.

Similarly, the Muhammed cartoons, while banned in Malaysia, were shown on three national newspapers. One of these papers had their license revoked, while two more, owned by government cronies, were allowed to continue printing.

I personally am in two minds with this. Do I want to allow people the liberty to view the movie, and at the same time unknowingly let people see this as the stereotype for gay culture?

Similarly, do people think Borat is the stereotype of a Muslim?

Hmmm funny aput how it happens with the well placed people. I could almost guarantee that whip-gays-and-stone adulterers law they wanted for Aceh, if enacted, would have been selectively enforced depending on who did the enforcing and who did the action. A free unfettered press will keep that counterbalanced, a very important process. I think it did in that Indonesian province. A physical example: I was adjusting the Rochester Quadrajet carburetor once on a 1967 Impala our family had. For some reason the throttle return spring was disconnected, and when I started the car, the engine began running away. Thank God I was able to shut off the engine, reaching a crescendo, before it threw a rod or crashed a valve. It is that way with the world. There are forces and counter forces. Everything from aircraft to the wind, to the balance of ecological activity, it is all there. Given to us by God. A free press and public debate is the same way. And the early American writers of the Constitution realized that. Less so today, alas.

Hmmm funny aput how it happens with the well placed people. I could almost guarantee that whip-gays-and-stone adulterers law they wanted for Aceh, if enacted, would have been selectively enforced depending on who did the enforcing and who did the action. A free unfettered press will keep that counterbalanced, a very important process. I think it did in that Indonesian province. A physical example: I was adjusting the Rochester Quadrajet carburetor once on a 1967 Impala our family had. For some reason the throttle return spring was disconnected, and when I started the car, the engine began running away. Thank God I was able to shut off the engine, reaching a crescendo, before it threw a rod or crashed a valve. It is that way with the world. There are forces and counter forces. Everything from aircraft to the wind, to the balance of ecological activity, it is all there. Given to us by God. A free press and public debate is the same way. And the early American writers of the Constitution realized that. Less so today, alas.

stupid low life movie anyway, its only worth to be watched on utube.

its not banned in Australia where i am... don't think its funny and worth watching... hmm...

Regardless of where you live - when political or religious interests can dictate what you can watch and see then that nation is in SERIOUS trouble.

Malaysia has proven on too many occassions lately to be a county where free loving individuals should stay away from - it is a dictatorship.

*"your attitude explains perfectly why asians and asian gay men are such a pathetic bunch of losers. You are your own worst enemies, because you let anybody and everybody walk all over you"
# 23
what has this continent n the people of n from this continent, got to do with the subject in matter ??
the subject of homosexuality does not predominantly exist in just the Asian culture.
It is in the constraints of any society n narrow minded people like u,with a shallow perspective that causes the suppression of homosexuality in the first place.
At some point,at some time,anywhere they may be,in Asia or elsewhere, every homosexual,im sure, has felt discrimination.
So dont go dissin' n dismissing your own kind or Asians, mr .

Having grown up in an era when discrimination against gays was real and tangible, I envy the young men of Asia today. You have role models for being gay and for being gay activists, you have a much more tolerant society surrounding you and you have the internet which makes making contact with your peers a simple and non threatening passtime

And I've spent a good part of my gay life as an activist so I know how tough the road to success is, I know what antagonism is and I know what success means. I also know that if you do nothing you achieve nothing

Coming from that background I still think you are a pathetic bunch of whimps. You are so selfish you could never unite to form a force of any worth and you delight in leaving the tough jobs for other people

So when Lokies tells me he is deeply insulted by my minor criticism. I say you go for it darling, you waste all your energies being insulted cos its a wonderful excuse for doing nothing

To be frank, I am lost in the midst of the movie showing while my friend shown it for a private viewing... I did not bother to even go through the whole movie but interesting enough it has generated so many discussion within the countries and gay community who has watched it.. I think on another note.. I will sit down quietly at one corner with a few good friends and try not to go through the agony of enduring the movie.. hope to contribute more in future once I have watched myself, if I do have the patient to watch the whole movie till the final OK..
No always amuse by shallow projection of the gay community, where we do have dept in our interaction with life matters and being constructive in the way we contribute to our own community in our own country.

Who cares anymore what they do or don't ban?
If they can ban 'Prince of Egypt', a harmless cartoon that didn't meet their version of the Moses story, (see link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/263905.stm ), I didn't think this one will survive...
This is the 21st Century...so many ways of getting information and stuff...as if we, the rakyat, needed their consent to run our lives...

#44

Now that struck a nerve, Dennis. Fine, you grew up being a gay activist in America. Big whoop.

How many times have you seen an activist in America being thrown into jail without a trial for 6 months?

Or simply being taken away and locked up with the key thrown away. These are the realities of being an activist here in Malaysia. So instead of marching the streets like you used to do, we take our fight to the Internet and to the safe places available for intellectual discourse, to educate and increase tolerance before moving further with our agendas.

How many Asian countries have had Gay Pride parades while under threat from their citizens who can't accept them, hurling not only abuse, but also threatening violence?

Besides, since you're now staying in KL for you know how long, and have an Asian BF, why aren't you fighting for his rights too?

We are not wimpy as you state. It's just that we know how to pace ourselves to advance with the times to avoid full blown confrontations.

Oh #44, what are we suppose to do then? Sympathize? Embrace your awfulness? Just because you think you had it all tougher than everybody else? I've lost all my respect for you, so I shouldn't even be wanting to thank you for your activism.

Yeah, you did come from the days where tolerance towards gay people was minimal. But you don't call us pathetic just because 50 years later, intolerance is still present.

I cannot comprehend your presence here on Fridae with your mentality towards the gay community today, & your god awful assumptions that 'you've seen everything of today'. Move on already, it's as if you're still constantly stuck in this bitterness because today, things are better. It's as if you want those 'old times' to be back when you're glad it's 'over'. Probably that explains that constant anger & sadness in you.

"I know how tough the road to success is, I know what antagonism is and I know what success means. I also know that if you do nothing you achieve nothing." - For the record, these are not only felt by you from the past. So don't come "coming from that background", you're the selfish, pathetic one.

Of course, I shouldn't be expecting any positive energy from you unless it's 1949 again.

as long as malaysia continues to be a muslim state, nothing will ever change, why bother even talking about a silly gay movie being banned there....

lokies and denseaus...shall we all focus on gerard butler's butt instead?

ps: fridae news editor, lets not insult your fridae members with pointless articles...who cares about movies being banned these days...please work a little harder, I didnt pay membership fees to see and hear crap...

*laughs @ #49's*

Yes, I'm in for that one. =)

I am impressed with the many responses of the so-called people who knows about malaysian culture ...whether they are in neighbouring countries or a guest here ...its obvious that the movie looks like a porn film , so if str8 porn are not shown in the cinema why should a gay porn be shown.

Some gays here are way out of topic. Please lah ...compare apple with apple , dick with dick okay. Others sounded like some pathetic authority in this field when they cant obviously see or understand what is in their own backyard...there is also pathetic views of some who is such an opportunist for attention ...eeewww...that is so 50's or 60's ....get a life and you know who you are ...and if you think you are so great ...go back to your country and prove it , losers ...what have you done in your country anyway ...but anyway I dont really care ...

yeah but no but...yeah but no but.....but even a non-muslim state like Singapore, anal sex between men is illegal wor ...oh ya... but strangely anals sex I heard is legal for heterosexual couple ....God must have informed someone in the Singapore ministry that it is okay to F@ck their wife's butt ...or maybe the str8 Singaporean are jealous of the fun the gay Singaporeans are having thus they enacted such law which is so extremely naturale and in accordance with God's will or societal view...oh and not forgetting all the protest from all Catholic countries etc etc ....computer says " kuman diseberang laut nampak, gajah ditepi bibir tak nampak " (you can see a germ accross the sea but the elephant by your cheek you cant see )

#52, who cares, wanna fcuk just fcuk..since when has men stopped fcuking each other because of laws..

whether its germs or elephants, we are still happily getting laid..arent we?

think we have all said enuff about this movie being banned, this article doesn't serve any purpose...

neither does the next article....

erm....when come to malaysia...they have a lot of ppl want to criticise it.....malaysia is muslim country...so nobody cannot deny it...coz againts asian culture......may i ask u guys....y all western country not legalised gay marriage?......

even in malaysia..gay is againts asian culture & religion....but still gay bar & club operate as usual in kl everynite.....except for anwar ibrahim sodomy case....do u heard any malaysian gay being charge in court?....only when got raid at gay sauna in penang state ( the only chinese majority state & non muslim ). y in other islamic state in peninsular malaysia....no gay sauna or pub got raid...unless if got drugs case...so nobody cannot denied it

53# in that case why any comment to start with ?....if what matters to thee is that piece of meat and that glorious hole... :-P ...if everyone is happy and contented being laid by a germ or elephant then ...then whether it is a muslim state or not ...does it make a difference ? or even if it is not a muslim state you see discriminations ...so lets be fair ... :-P

#44 my issue is plain and simple. You cannot and must not stereotype "Asians" This is ignorant, banal and futile. I could stereotype Americans, and say that they are loud-mouthed, outspoken, arrogant and talk far too loudly, but then I would be being banal, because I know full well that there are some Americans who are not like that. Please try to understand that you cannot lump a third of the world into one stereotype. Comprende?

People with no sense of humor should not be censoring a comedy! Dur!!!

Its OK aput and lokies... Just keep on making excuses for doing nothing and you'll go a long way... about as far as asia generally and Malaysia in particular have got in the field of human/gay rights

Why dont I fight for my bf's rights you ask.. My answer is that its not my fight. Its yours. Or do you want me to be a Mahathir or a LKY and be incapable of giving up the reins to younger men. I'm already appalled by the level of repression of young people in Asia, I dont want to become a part of that philosophy

But you guys are right, there has always been intolerance towards gay men and women and there always will be so long as religions prevail.... and so long as you dont face up to intolerance. For every act of intolerance there are a thousand acts of apathy on the part of gay men and women and that apathy gives the intolerant the courage to continue their intolerance

Re: #58

Now you know and I know that we each do our parts with whatever's given to us, Dennis.

And what do you mean it's not your fight? Are you now setting an age limit on whose struggle it is? And please, do we really want to go into what Mahathir or LKY is really doing?

Because you're doing it right now. Criticising and bitching from the sidelines and saying your time is over.

It's okay to you too #58, for you to carry on with your assumptions & unwillingness to broaden up a little bit more. I mean, what's the point of talking to arrogant, (surprisingly) ignorant people like you with necks so stiffed. And I just hope your boyfriend's doing fine thinking he has to fend for himself. Late.

That's where we called Malaysia...That's it!
I really want to leave from here as far as possible....
However, I know out there aint anyone waiting for...
It's like hopeless dream for me, too far me to get the rope..
there aint any place for me though...

Hmm...lifeless.....
Anyway, wish you all have a nice day...

and #36, Chad, did you back to Malaysia yet?
=) wish everything going fine with you...

Didn't expect this piece of article will invite so many comments.
Anyway, Bruno may be a stupid moronic movie but hey, it's for me to decide and I'm very sure that I have the ability to make my own judgment on that.

For those who have watched the movie and happily announced their relief that the movie was banned, I seriously dont see much of the difference between you and the MCB. For goodness sake, we are adults, so let us have the freedom make our own decision!

I can't help but smile when I see how many comments here express their dislike of this movie and call it "stupid", "moronic", "disgusting", "tasteless", "offensive", "racist" (those last 2 were about Borat) "crap" etc. Wow, methinks you guys could just as well be sitting on the board of censors !!

Could we hold our holy fire for a few minutes and remember that in humour as in other forms of human expression there are many different styles...?

Sasha B. Cohen, who by the way is anything BUT stupid or racist (etc), opted for the genre known as farce, a genre that goes back as far as we can find in the history of performing arts.
One of the oldest is Aristophanes (c.450 BC).
Interestingly, farce has always been very popular AND frowned upon by people who think they somehow fly (or is it just fart?) higher than the populace. Even writers like Goldoni or Molière were attacked in their time by self proclaimed "good taste" keepers who scoffed at their "heavy" jokes.
Ha!

Pinching your nose at Bruno and Borat doesn't make a genius or an aristocrat of you, and does not prove that your taste is of the highest quality either.
It's OK to like heavy and provocative humour, lol ! It's also OK to laugh when someone farts AND yes! you can still enjoy Woody Allen, George B. Shaw or any other humorists glorified by the international intelligentsia. Doesn't have to be one OR the other.

Intelligence is not measured by WHAT you like, but HOW and WHY you like it.

This somehow reminds me of people who go to gay saunas and when you meet them on the spot they spend hours explaining to you that they're here only for the steam and the gym. One of Moliere's most hilarious (and terrifying) character perfectly personifies the attitude - his name is Tartuffe.

Number 63. Well stated. And I am shocked. Are there other things that go on at those saunas?

hahaha sure Tawson, there are other things !! for example you can have a drink, you can swim, you can have dinner... and of course you can have loooong conversations with the other patrons about philosophy, litterature, arts etc.
Well... I GUESS that's what most customers do in saunas, but how would I know ? I don't have time to go there myself, I'm too busy helping the poor, cleaning the church, and reading holy texts :-P