Film Censorship

[k1w1]

This just came to my attention. I'm sure there are a few on this board who have an opinion...

Apologies if it's an old thread. Had a look and didn't find anything...

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Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 18:45:58 -0700

Subject: FREE THAI CINEMA MOVEMENT

Dear All,

Regarding the censorship of my film. I am glad in a way that it is leading

to a very important step for our cinema.

Please kindly forward to the ones you think have relevant interest in this

issue. Thank you very much.

http://www.petitiononline.com/nocut/petition.html

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Free Thai Cinema Movement Petition

Statement by Apichatpong Weerasethakul

*with Bioscope, the Thai Film Foundation, Thai Film Director¹s

Association, and Alliances.*

I am saddened by what has happened to my film. However, this is not the

venue to try to make SYNDROMES AND A CENTURY shown in Thai theaters. It

is not my intention to use this opportunity to promote my work.

But, it is time to seriously think about what is going on with our

censorship laws, so that the next generation of filmmakers will not face

the same problems as us, and so that the Thai audiences can truly

achieve a freedom of choice.

It is time we discuss whether all films, before being released, should

be seen by the Buddhist council, doctors council, teachers council,

labor council, the army, pet lovers group, taxi union, representatives

from other foreign countries etc? Or, is it easier to turn our nation

into a Fascist state so that we can live in harmony and don¹t have to

waste time talking about democracy?

The system of the Thai Board of Censors needs to be evaluated. Their

members' relevancy and efficiency needs to be questioned, and we should

decide whether the laws should be changed.

I would like to ask you to reflect on the censorship practices in our

country and to provide us with advice at

http://www.petitiononline.com/nocut/petition.html

Later on, this Petition will be submitted to the Thai government. Your

support will be a great contribution to our fight for one of our most

basic rights - that of freedom.

I am grateful for your time and your participation. Thank you very much.

Warmest Regards,

Apichatpong Weerasethakul

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