Thai film on monks banned

[webfact]

CENSORSHIP
Film on monks banned
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- THE CULTURE Ministry issued a ban on the screening of "Arbat" yesterday, forcing Sahamongkol Film to cancel all premiere events scheduled for today as well as the planned release set for Thursday.

The ministry's Film and Media Screening Committee explained that the film was banned because it depicted misconduct by monks and novices, including drinking, violence and improper relations with women. The board noted a scene that was disrespectful to Buddha.

Directed by Kanittha Kwunyoo, the film tells the story of Son (Charlie Potjes), a youngster who is forced by his father to enter the monkhood. The novice later befriends a village girl and their relationship develops into something more than platonic.

The film sparked controversy when the trailer released last month showed a monk touching a girl's cheek and then leading her into his cell.

The opponents, claiming that such depiction of monks would make people lose faith in Buddhism, submitted a letter to Culture Minister Weera Rojpotchanarat asking for the film to be banned.

The producer, Sahamongkol Films, has the right to appeal against the decision.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Film-on-monks-banned-30270751.html

-- The Nation 2015-10-13

[Jingthing]

Interesting.

But I guess films showing Catholic priests doing naughty things are OK here though.

[jaywalker]

"THE CULTURE Ministry Ministry of Truth issued a ban on the screening of "Arbat" yesterday,"

What country besides Saudi or Kuwait has a ministry of culture?

Didn't the great leader just say that Thailand was slap full to the brim with freedom of speech a few days ago?

[NongKhaiKid]

Better not show anything depicting corruption, domestic violence, hiso ladies and their spoiled brat daughter screaming at domestic staff, guns etc as people might lose faith in Thai society.

Just as well there's plenty of rugs around, best place for this sort of stuff.

[Pimay1]

The truth hurts. From the description of the contents the film accurately describes how Buddhism has been twisted and perverted in this country. I suggest the film would not cause people to lose faith in Buddhism but expose how some so called monks are deceiving the people who are seeking spiritual leadership in their lives.

[doggie1955]

Did you know that Thailand is the only country who has a Ministry of Corruption.........I think it has something to do with the Police & Politician Corruption Union.

[daoyai]

"THE CULTURE Ministry Ministry of Truth issued a ban on the screening of "Arbat" yesterday,"

What country besides Saudi or Kuwait has a ministry of culture?

Didn't the great leader just say that Thailand was slap full to the brim with freedom of speech a few days ago?

I think France has a ministry of culture. As is often the case, the controversy will spark interest and a backlash resulting in the ban being overturned and more people seeing the film. (hopefully). The idea that people will lose "faith' in a set of philosify teachings (buddhism) is preposterous.

[BSJ]

If people are true believers in Buddhism I doubt it will cause them to lose faith as much as nothing being done to stamp out the suspect or illegal activities that occur in the name of Buddha.

[Somtamnication]

Well, the constant negative news on the monks here and Cambodia have already ruined their reputation. Tempest in a teacup.

[NongKhaiKid]

A Thai made movie provokes a reaction and it results in the movie being banned.

Imagine the response if this had been a foreign made production.

[canuckamuck]

Stupid film makers. They should know that there is no place here for realty

In Thailand reality and defamation are essentially the same thing. That's why it is banned wherever possible.

[arrowsdawdle]

If people are true believers in Buddhism I doubt it will cause them to lose faith as much as nothing being done to stamp out the suspect or illegal activities that occur in the name of Buddha.

If realistic portrayals of some monks can cause decreased faith in Buddhism, what do slave fishing fleets, domestic abuse and infidelity, and the Sakdina system of institutionalized inequality cause?

[arrowsdawdle]

Stupid film makers. They should know that there is no place here for realty

In Thailand reality and defamation are essentially the same thing. That's why it is banned wherever possible.

Apparently, they didn't understand the protocol like the Green couple from L.A. on how to pay the former TAT governor a million bucks to influence the film screening process in LOS.

[ezzra]

Let's all bury our heads in the sand, surly the problems will not be seen than, tell as it is?

not in Thailand.... errant, misbehaving monks and abbots? not possible in our culture...

and that rouge monk who got an asylum in the US recently, can they swipe that under the

rug too?

[oneday]

"...the film was banned because it depicted misconduct by monks and novices, including drinking, violence and improper relations with women..."

So in other words, depicting the truth is not allowed. Very typical of this current government. The picture of an ostrich with it's head in the sand comes to mind.

[fatfather]

Germany

Fatfather

[Balance]

"THE CULTURE Ministry Ministry of Truth issued a ban on the screening of "Arbat" yesterday,"

What country besides Saudi or Kuwait has a ministry of culture?

Didn't the great leader just say that Thailand was slap full to the brim with freedom of speech a few days ago?

Ethiopia, or it did 35 years ago when I was trying to finish the field work for my thesis just after the Russian backed army coup.

[fatfather]

"THE CULTURE Ministry Ministry of Truth issued a ban on the screening of "Arbat" yesterday,"

What country besides Saudi or Kuwait has a ministry of culture?

Didn't the great leader just say that Thailand was slap full to the brim with freedom of speech a few days ago?

Germany

Fatfather

[HenryB]

"THE CULTURE Ministry Ministry of Truth issued a ban on the screening of "Arbat" yesterday,"

What country besides Saudi or Kuwait has a ministry of culture?

Didn't the great leader just say that Thailand was slap full to the brim with freedom of speech a few days ago?

It about time America and EU and Europe learn that they need a Culture Ministry of Truth

[DrTuner]

Too realistic, add a few screaming katoys, sound effects and vampire look-alikes with fake noses and extreme attitude problems and it will pass with flying colors.

[klauskunkel]

The film sparked controversy when the trailer released last month showed a monk touching a girl's cheek and then leading her into his cell.

The opponents, claiming that such depiction of monks would make people lose faith in Buddhism

No one will lose faith in their religion because of the depicted behavior of one individual.

If however this film would show what Thai Buddhism has become over the years, namely worship of money and pure greed, then people might start questioning values...

[Roota]

What country besides Saudi or Kuwait has a ministry of culture?

Well, Wikipedia lists over 50 of them, including a bunch of European countries.

And for the record, we don't know if the film is presenting 'the truth'. It could be sensationalistic crap, not that that excuses the MoC from their extreme sensitivity on the subject of Buddhism. Anyhow the filmmakers are going to re-edit it and submit it again in a few weeks. It probably will come out in some form.

[Loaded]

I saw a trailer for this movie. It actually depicts the negative karmic results of the sins of weak monks. Banning it seems strange, but I guess in the Thailand of Prayut, there is no sin.

[ekkamai]

"THE CULTURE Ministry Ministry of Truth issued a ban on the screening of "Arbat" yesterday,"

What country besides Saudi or Kuwait has a ministry of culture?

Didn't the great leader just say that Thailand was slap full to the brim with freedom of speech a few days ago?

I think France has a ministry of culture. As is often the case, the controversy will spark interest and a backlash resulting in the ban being overturned and more people seeing the film. (hopefully). The idea that people will lose "faith' in a set of philosify teachings (buddhism) is preposterous.

Lots of countries have a Ministry of Culture. Denmark is one.

[Gillyflower]

To Jaywalker

Many countries have a Ministry of Culture.

[Lingba]

and when you censor something like this..it only heightens ones curiosity to want to see it..therefore making more popular...

Actions backfiring

[skildpadden]

One film depicting a story, that happens in real life with Thai monks, will not erode the public's faith.

The actions of monks in everyday Thailand, however, can erode the Buddhist faith e.g.: monks with girlfriends (and boyfriends), drunk monks, monks pocketing wads of cash meant for funerals or playing the stock market. Monks on meth or the selfie-snapping, Louis Vuitton bag-wielding, private jet-taking monk.

Those examples are the threat against Buddhism, not a movie.

[Seastallion]

This is simply Sahamongkol Films doing ANOTHER publicity stunt.

I will bet it was their people who wrote to the Ministry to complain....or even a planned action between Sahamongkol and a ministry official.

The decision will soon be reversed.

Good on 'em.

Edited October 13, 2015 by Seastallion

[yaudah]

religion, hypocrite:

The world is divided into two classes, those who believe the incredible, and those who do the improbable.
Oscar Wilde

Religion is like a blind man looking in a black room for a black cat that isn't there, and finding it.”
Oscar Wilde

and the best for last, and I quote:

The eleventh century Syrian poet Abu J-Ala al Maarri wrote this :

"I see the world is divided into two sects.
Those with brains but no religion.
Those with religion but no brains."

[DM07]

So, this movie depicts, what (some) monks actually do, did and have done, right?!

I mean: these things exist!

Live with it!

On another note: we are close to Halloween, when hundreds of Thai- women will dress up as sexy nuns!

Now, I personally don't mind at all...but try wearing a skin colored bathing- cap, wrap yourself in an orange bed- sheet and wear flip- flops and see, how that works out for you!

Hipocrits, all of them!