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MDA bans Tan Pin Pin's film, 'To Singapore, With Love', classifying it as NAR!

By InCinemas / 10 Sep 2014 (Wednesday)

[11.9.14] Update: Local Filmmakers & Art Leaders Express their Disappointment

The Media Development Authority (MDA) has classified local filmmaker Tan Pin Pin's film “To Singapore, With Love” as Not Allowed for All Ratings (NAR), meaning this film is not for exhibition or distribution in Singapore.

The film has been screened in international film festivals, including Korea, India and Malaysia. The NAR classification was given as it was 'undermining national security'.

Below is the news release by MDA: (Source)

"MDA has assessed that the contents of the film undermine national security because legitimate actions of the security agencies to protect the national security and stability of Singapore are presented in a distorted way as acts that victimised innocent individuals. Under the Film Classification Guidelines, films that are assessed to undermine national security will be given an NAR rating.

The individuals in the film have given distorted and untruthful accounts of how they came to leave Singapore and remain outside Singapore. A number of these self-professed “exiles” were members of, or had provided support to, the proscribed Communist Party of Malaya (CPM). The CPM sought to overthrow the legitimate elected governments of Singapore and Malaysia through armed struggle and subversion, and replace them with a communist regime. One of the interviewees in the film claimed that he had no choice but to join the CPM after he left Singapore when in fact, he was an active CPM member even before he left Singapore. Indeed, as another interviewee who left Singapore in similar circumstances admits, a number of Barisan Sosialis activists then were already members of the Malayan National Liberation League, the CPM’s political wing, before they fled Singapore with its help and subsequently joined the communist guerrilla forces. In another attempt to white-wash their security histories, two of the individuals in the film conveniently omitted mentioning the criminal offences which they remain liable for, like tampering with their Singapore passports or absconding from National Service.

The individuals featured in the film gave the impression that they are being unfairly denied their right to return to Singapore. They were not forced to leave Singapore, nor are they being prevented from returning. The Government has made it clear that it would allow former CPM members to return to Singapore if they agree to be interviewed by the authorities on their past activities to resolve their cases. Criminal offences will have to be accounted for in accordance with the law.

These facts had been published at the time of these events, and are on public records, even though some Singaporeans today may be unfamiliar with these cases."

(Photo taken from 'To Singapore, With Love' Facebook Page)

Local filmmakers and art leaders have come together and express their 'deep disappointment' at the decision and urged for a reconsideration.

Nearly 40 members of the arts community in Singapore, including Anthony Chen, Royston Tan, Chia Yeewei, Ivan Heng, Janice Koh and Wee Li Lin signed the statement.

"We, the undersigned would like to express our deep disappointment at the Media Development Authority's decision to ban Tan Pin Pin's award winning documentary, 'To Singapore With Love'.

Ms Tan's film examines the lives of Singaporeans living in exile. In doing so, she explores an aspect of our nation's history that is rarely discussed in the public sphere.

The MDA claims that the subjects in Ms Tan's film gave "distorted and untruthful accounts of how they came to leave Singapore and remain outside Singapore". We would like to suggest that rather than banning the documentary, authorities release their version of the events in question, so that viewers can make up their own minds. Indeed, we note that the MDA has already published a detailed press release stating their official account.

'To Singapore With Love' screened at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival and has won multiple awards all over the world. It has received high praise from filmmakers, critics and festival programmers. Many commentators have described it as essential viewing for all Singaporeans. Banning the film will only reinforce the view that our government is trying to limit discussion around our very own history.

Finally, we would like to emphasize that censorship does nothing to promote a vibrant, informed society. We thus urge the MDA to reconsider its decision."

The full list of signatories can be found here.

What do you think? Should Singaporeans decide for themselves?

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MDA bans Tan Pin Pin's film, 'To Singapore, With Love', classifying it as NAR!