INDONESIA: Film starring Japanese porn star Maria Ozawa debuts in Indonesia after the local censorship board passes it

Record ID: 465222

  • Title: INDONESIA: Film starring Japanese porn star Maria Ozawa debuts in Indonesia after the local censorship board passes it
  • Date: 14th May 2010
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) MOVIE VIEWER, ROBERT, SAYING: "She wore sexy clothes in the movie, nothing more. If the censor board passed it, I think we don't need to worry about it." VIEWERS WALKING OUT OF THEATER PLAYING 'KIDNAPPING MIYABI' EXTERIOR OF MOVIE THEATER MOVIE POSTERS ON DISPLAY MOVIE POSTER OF 'KIDNAPPING MIYABI' ODY MULYA, PRODUCER OF 'KIDNAPPING MIYABI' (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) PRODUCER OF 'KIDNAPPING MIYABI' MULYA, ODY MULYA, SAYING: "The film has been classified as a teen movie without any cuts. That means this movie has been approved to be shown to public." JAKARTA, INDONESIA (MAY 12, 2010) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF INDONESIA COUNCIL OF ULEMA SIGN READING 'INDONESIA MUSLIM COUNCIL' (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) MEMBER OF ULEMA COUNCIL WHO AND FILM CENSORSHIP BOARD, ZAINUT TAUHID, SAYING: "The public should be informed about the content of the film, don't make assumptions and react on empty basis." TAUHID TALKING
  • Embargoed: 29th May 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Indonesia
  • Country: Indonesia
  • Reuters ID: LVA4WDG85XO3MT7DWONMLEXEPG88
  • Story Text: Indonesia's Film Censorship Board has allowed a local movie starring a Japanese porn star to be shown in theatres, resulting in anticipation of its release in the world's largest Muslim nation.
    Viewers flocked to theaters to see Maria Ozawa or Miyabi, who plays herself in the film "Kidnapping Miyabi", a story about three college students who plot to kidnap her to exploit her fame. Some 24 theaters screened the movie in Indonesia's capital Jakarta.
    "I am curious to see Miyabi. She's been a hot topic recently," said Dessy, while waiting to see the movie in a Jakarta theatre.
    Some movie-goers didn't think the movie lived up to its hype.
    "She wore sexy clothes in the movie, nothing more. If the censor board passed it, I think we don't need to worry about it," said Robert, an 18-year-old high school student.
    Ody Mulya of Maxima Pictures, the producer of the film said he cast Ozawa in the film to attract audiences.
    Mulya, along with 20 crew members and three actors flew to Japan to shoot the portion of the film featuring Ozawa, as her schedule did not permit travel to Jakarta where the rest of the movie was shot.
    Mulya said he was aware that the film could create controversy, but was convinced the censorship board would pass the film.
    "The film has been classified as a teen movie without any cuts. That means this movie has been approved to be shown to public," said Mulya.
    The 90-minute movie premiered last Friday (May 7) in Jakarta and despite threats from radical groups, there was no violent backlash.
    A radical Indonesian Muslim group, Islamic Defender's Front (FPI) had threatened to raid theaters screening the movie.
    A spokesman from the group declined to comment and said they will act if the movie created social unrest.
    The FPI launched attacks in Jakarta's nightspots in recent years, especially during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, arguing they were an insult to Islam.
    Zainut Tauhid, a member of Indonesia's Ulema Council, the country's top Muslim clerical body, and who also sits on the Film Censorship Board, said viewers are smart enough to choose what to watch.
    "The public should be informed about the content of the film, don't make assumptions and react on empty basis," said Tauhid.
    Around 85 percent of Indonesia's 220 million population are Muslims. Most are traditionally moderate, although there has been growth in more conservative interpretations of Islam in recent years.
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