Written by Ng E-Jay
17 Sept 2008
The Board of Films Censors (BFC) has approved and given ratings for a total of seven short political films produced by local film makers Ho Choon Hiong and Martyn See.
Ho Choon Hiong had submitted his six films to the BFC for classification on 30 April 2008. They are rated as follows:
Choon Hiong has been involved in film making for many years now. He says his interest started during his Junior College (JC) days when his dad bought him a camcorder. Choon Hiong’s first foray into political films was when he documented Dr Chee Soon Juan’s arrest on Labour Day, 2002, outside the Istana. Dr Chee Soon Juan was later charged under the Public Entertainment and Meetings Act for holding an unauthorized “People Against Poverty” protest. Dr Chee was fined $4500 and his colleague Gandhi Ambalam was fined $3000. Chee chose to serve a 5-week prison sentence rather than pay the fine.
So what prompted Choon Hiong to submit six films to BFC 5 months ago given that the authorities had not indicated that a ban on political films would be relaxed at that time?
Choon Hiong said that the signals had been present, with both PM Lee and George Yeo speaking about the need for change. The fact that Martyn See’s “Speakers Cornered” had been passed also gave him much encouragement.
On the ratings given to his films (one M18, one NC16, and the rest PG), Choon Hiong feels that he deserved to get G ratings (the most relaxed rating) on all his films, because the content of those films, such as scenes of people demonstrating, were commonplace and seen on the news everyday. There is no violence in his films. Choon Hiong is quietly confident that the BFC will make its ratings transparent over time, failing which he will try to push for it.
On the recent liberalization of the Films Act, Choon Hiong is of the opinion that any change in the status quo has to be fought for. He says that liberalization is necessary, and that without it, the Government would look backwards and stupid. He also gives credit to Martyn See and other film makers for their acts of “civil disobedience” in defying the provisions of the Films Act, saying that it was only through their defiance that the silliness of some parts of this legislation was made clear.
What will Choon Hiong’s next project be on?
He says he intends to do a film on Dr Chee’s wife, Dr Huang Chih Mei.
Let’s give Choon Hiong a round of applause for his accomplishments and hope that his next film will be as good or even better than his previous six.
17 Sept 2008
The Board of Films Censors (BFC) has approved and given ratings for a total of seven short political films produced by local film makers Ho Choon Hiong and Martyn See.
Ho Choon Hiong had submitted his six films to the BFC for classification on 30 April 2008. They are rated as follows:
1. Human Rights Torch Relay (M18 rating)
2. Burmese Says No (NC16 rating)
3. NUS international students vigil walk (PG rating)
4. Singaporean started 5 days fasting against ISA on Hindraf 5 (PG rating)
5. Burmese staged peaceful demonstration in Singapore (PG rating)
6. Morning May Day Montage (PG rating)
I was particularly interested in what Choon Hiong had to say about the latest developments, so we did a little exchange over email. This is a synopsis of our exchange.2. Burmese Says No (NC16 rating)
3. NUS international students vigil walk (PG rating)
4. Singaporean started 5 days fasting against ISA on Hindraf 5 (PG rating)
5. Burmese staged peaceful demonstration in Singapore (PG rating)
6. Morning May Day Montage (PG rating)
Choon Hiong has been involved in film making for many years now. He says his interest started during his Junior College (JC) days when his dad bought him a camcorder. Choon Hiong’s first foray into political films was when he documented Dr Chee Soon Juan’s arrest on Labour Day, 2002, outside the Istana. Dr Chee Soon Juan was later charged under the Public Entertainment and Meetings Act for holding an unauthorized “People Against Poverty” protest. Dr Chee was fined $4500 and his colleague Gandhi Ambalam was fined $3000. Chee chose to serve a 5-week prison sentence rather than pay the fine.
So what prompted Choon Hiong to submit six films to BFC 5 months ago given that the authorities had not indicated that a ban on political films would be relaxed at that time?
Choon Hiong said that the signals had been present, with both PM Lee and George Yeo speaking about the need for change. The fact that Martyn See’s “Speakers Cornered” had been passed also gave him much encouragement.
On the ratings given to his films (one M18, one NC16, and the rest PG), Choon Hiong feels that he deserved to get G ratings (the most relaxed rating) on all his films, because the content of those films, such as scenes of people demonstrating, were commonplace and seen on the news everyday. There is no violence in his films. Choon Hiong is quietly confident that the BFC will make its ratings transparent over time, failing which he will try to push for it.
On the recent liberalization of the Films Act, Choon Hiong is of the opinion that any change in the status quo has to be fought for. He says that liberalization is necessary, and that without it, the Government would look backwards and stupid. He also gives credit to Martyn See and other film makers for their acts of “civil disobedience” in defying the provisions of the Films Act, saying that it was only through their defiance that the silliness of some parts of this legislation was made clear.
What will Choon Hiong’s next project be on?
He says he intends to do a film on Dr Chee’s wife, Dr Huang Chih Mei.
Let’s give Choon Hiong a round of applause for his accomplishments and hope that his next film will be as good or even better than his previous six.
