FACT - Freedom Against Censorship Thailand

Tax Bill Fuels a Canadian Debate on Film Censorship
By IAN AUSTEN
Published: May 3, 2008

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/03/movies/03cens.html?ref=todayspaper

Most Canadian films and non-news television programs apply for a government cash payment, which is described as a tax credit, to offset some of their labor costs…Payments typically cover about 10 to 12 percent of a production’s budget…Filmmakers apply in advance for a certificate declaring their project sufficiently Canadian. The government’s payment, however, does not arrive until the film or television series is completed and it is again reviewed…It is that second review that the government hopes to expand. The change would allow the minister of Canadian heritage, an elected official, to “also certify that the public funding of the production would not be contrary to public policy.”…That broadness of the extra review is the chief concern of the writers, filmmakers, actors and free-speech groups who have visited the Senate over the past few weeks. They argue that it would allow the government to cut funds and, in effect, censor films that offend any number of moral, religious or political views…Heritage minister Josée Verner said that the measure was not an attempt at censorship but simply a way to block subsidies for films that are “potentially illegal under the criminal code, such as indecent material, hate propaganda and child pornography.” Ms. Verner did not explain why current guidelines that ban makers of pornographic films, among other things, from even applying for grants were inadequate..Finance minister .Jim Flaherty said that the proposed change represents “the will of the people” and that its defeat by the opposition parties, most of which are not ready for a campaign, would cause an immediate general election.

Big Brother to certify films
KONG RITHDEE
Bangkok Post: April 26, 2008

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/26Apr2008_news13.php
If things go as planned, the new Film Act will go into effect six weeks from now, on June 4. And though nothing ever goes as planned when it comes to the Culture Ministry (e.g. the recent plan to clothe the pop-nymphs Girly Berry in prim 1900s robes ended in a saucy bitchfest between the glum, Nippon fish-loving minister and the vampish girl group), moviegoers should brace for the historic introduction of the rating system, which is likely to be accompanied by confusion and clamour…When the new law is applied in June, each movie, Thai and foreign, will be assigned one of six ratings: G (fit for all age groups); 13-plus; 15-plus; 18-plus and 20-plus. Then there’s a special rate I tentatively call “P” _ for Promotion, not Prude _ an awkward, unusual label designed for films that deserve to be promoted to the society because of its content. For instance, a historical Thai movie that shows a lot of grisly beheadings and senseless murders of national enemies in the 16th century could get the “P” rating, and everyone including young children should be encouraged to see it because of its historical and patriotic values…What’s not clear right now is how the ratings and filtering will be enforced. As it is understood, theatre staff at the box office will check the IDs of customers before letting them buy tickets, like at night clubs. But since nobody has seen the Ministry Regulations, it’s not certain whether the age classifications are simply a guideline for parents and multiplexes, or are actual legal restrictions with punishment clauses.

[FACT comments: All together now! Just blame YouTube! It's a crime the way they tie us down and force our eyes open with toothpicks to force us to watch this propaganda! Anyone want to wager YouTube will bend over for geolocational blocking. "Fitna" itse;f appears to be so well-protected on YouTube, it is impossible to view it let alone download it.]

Indonesian threatens to block YouTube access over anti-Muslim film
Associated Press: April 1, 2008

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/01/asia/AS-GEN-Indonesia-Quran-Film.php

Indonesia said Tuesday it would block access to YouTube unless the video-sharing Web site removes an anti-Muslim film by a Dutch lawmaker within 48 hours…In February, YouTube was inaccessible globally for several hours after the government of Pakistan blocked it, citing what it said were clips in which Wilders made denigrating remarks about Islam.

Review: Fitna by Geert Wilders…and YouTube in Thailand
CJ Hinke
Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT)

There have been several, primarily Muslim, demonstrations which greeted the March 23 release of the short film, “Fitna”, by Geert Wilders. I daresay a minute percentage of those demonstrating actually watched “Fitna” which means “strife” or “conflict” in Arabic.

Wilders is a 45-year old right-wing Roman Catholic Dutch politician who has served in the Netherlands’ Tweede Kamer since 1998. “Fitna” is artfully crafted propaganda not much different from government and media propaganda against terrorism.

What is most obvious is not that Geert Wilders is a racist but how afraid he is of change. This also is not much different than the insecurity of most politicians. In fact, he may be exploiting public fear for egotistic reasons.

“Fitna”’s producer and co-author is pseudonymous. It is significant that this person chose “Scarlet Pimpernel” for their nom de guerre. “The Scarlet Pimpernel” is a 1903 stageplay by a Hungarian aristocrat emigre about English aristocrats rescuing French aristocrats from the guillotine during the French Revolution. Perhaps Wilders and partner consider themselves modern-day aristocrats.

A few carefully chosen suras from the Koran nor actual speeches by a few Muslim zealots do not religion make. The same propaganda could be gleaned from the Christian Bible.

The crime is fundamentalism of whatever stripe. There are surely as many Christian and Jewish fundamentalists preaching violence as Muslims. Human beings will either help each other or become extinct.

Immigration is never easy for the immigrant or for his new country no matter religion or locale. Change always fills us with fear.

Wilders is exercising his freedom of speech. “Fitna” is not an incitement to hate nor to anti-Muslim violence. “Fitna” is purely incitement to fear.

Governments do a far better and more complete job of fear-mongering than one more zealot can ever do.

The question is, will “Fitna” incite any thinking person to hate Muslims or commit violence against them? I think not.

The same tarry brush is used against those juvenile YouTube videos opposed to Thailand’s King. YouTomb has compiled the list which follows of YouTube videos which are blocked in Thailand by geolocation.  It is most interesting to see the last is blocked not only in Thailand but in Germany, France and Poland.

These videos are really not worth watching, even for a laugh…nor is “Fitna”. As always, propaganda is a feeble substitute for meaningful dialogue and critical thinking.

The following list indicates YouTube reference number, video title and uploader. This list was compiled by YouTomb on March 30, 2008. We are quite simply surprised this is not a longer list!

w5SQ1VK9yL4, thai king, assddaa

8hbpVIA546U, 3a, the movie, Mizja1234

636RbA9FM5Q, Bhumibol Adulyadej of thailand massive turd, XXX19826

CJinTVicb-o, The Thai King Show Part Two: The Big Speech, noreast77

2G7mVSoAaRU, Bhumibol Adulyadej, Warblefly41

kZ-dlnAbFAs, Bhumibol Adulyadej 2 - King of the apes!, mickeymouse78739

L4RXcIDa4E, King Bhumibol Adulyadej ??????????????, 14yearsprison

70mlncXQjXA, King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, 15yearsprison

4dFjO4ZJNDE, King of Thailand Bhumibol Adelyadej, 15yearsprison

oU9iT3vEdWo, The tyrant king, 15yearsprison [DE FR PL TH]

[FACT comments: Thailand is well known  for slashing censors. Censors blur out all smoking, guns and smoking guns! Breasts are porn but blood and mutilation are not?]

“Torture Porn” Makers Shrug Off Label
By Rachel Corbett
Women’s eNews: March 19,2008

http://www.alternet.org/reproductivejustice/80134/?page=entire

Film’s shocking violence and grisly torture scenes marked the beginning of a descent into a subgenre…”There’s all this blood spurting and it’s like waiting for the money shot in a porn movie”

[FACT comments: The "seven dirty words" of the 1970s have, for better or worse, been accepted into modern discourse. Of course, they are not used in polite and respectful conversation. 'Vulgar' means 'of the people". While coarse and low-class and often-profane, vulgarity is much different from obscenity or indecency. We don't really want to listen to expletives in public media. Nevertheless, do we need more government control?
For an in-depth look at the C-word, FACT signer Matthew Hunt has written an excellent dissertation:
http://www.matthewhunt.com/website/cunt/index.html]

Justices Take Up On-Air Vulgarity Again
By LINDA GREENHOUSE
Published: March 18, 2008

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/18/washington/18scotus.html?ref=todayspaper&pagewanted=all

The US Federal Communications Commission is to start punishing broadcasters for the isolated and fleeting on-air use of expletives…30 years ago “seven dirty words” were considered that the First Amendment did not bar the government from regulating the broadcasting of speech that, while “indecent,” was not actually obscene.

[FACT comments: We think Apichatpong has come up with rather an elegant solution. The black scenes will have great impact and generate public reaction.]

Censorship ‘Syndromes’ and silence
Parinyaporn Pajee
Daily Xpress: March 17, 2008

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/17/headlines/headlines_30068334.php

Acclaimed but banned, Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s ‘Sang Sattawat’ (Syndromes and a Century) will screen in Thailand at the Thai Film Foundation with six scenes the censors cut replaced by silent, scratched black frames - the longest of which runs for seven minutes…”It’s cynical, but actually it’s a statement for the audience to make them aware that they are being blinded from getting information in this society,” says the director…The censors characterised the film as “non-artistic” and said it harmed the nation’s image and its institutions…The film was made as a tribute to Apichatpong’s parents, both physicians, but the censors didn’t see it that way, saying his parents should feel ashamed of the depiction of their lives…The director says he’s angry and feels stupid for trying to work within the system.

[FACT comments: We are very disappointed Apichatpong has capitulated to the forces of evil which flexed their strength by cutting one more scene. But perhaps the director sees more impact in filmmaking than crusading. It is, however, going to take a tough director to refuse to give up to censorship. Their film would then be released in full to DVD locally with English subtitles for the international market and for free to Google Video. Only this approach can make an uncut film available in Thailand. But, of course, no one can recoup their extensive production costs this way.]

Apichatpong exhausted; ‘officially approved version’ of Syndromes and a Century prepared for screening in Thailand
Wise Kwai’s Thai Film Journal: March 14, 2008

Filmmaker Magazine has the latest in the saga of Syndromes and a Century, Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s latest feature film, which was censored and banned in Thailand after it had been screened to universal acclaim at film festivals and commercial runs around the world.

In his review of Syndromes and a Century the Guardian Film Critic Peter Bradshaw, wrote that the film was “Profoundly mysterious, erotic, funny, gentle, playful, utterly distinctive, it is the work of the Thai director and installation-artist Apichatpong Weerasethakul, who now has a claim to be approaching the league of Kiarostami and Haneke, as one of modern cinema’s great practitioners.” Read the rest of this entry »

[FACT comments: We always think the US State Department's annual human rights reports are curious anomalies--the US, of course, never comments on its own human rights record. Nevertheless, many issues are examined and this report would not have been possible were it not for the contributions of many Thai activists and NGOs. All of us are trying to bring about a better Thailand for everyone. FACT emphasis and commentary added below.]

Thailand–Country Reports on Human Rights Practices  - 2007
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
U.S. Department of State
March 11, 2008

Thailand Report: http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2007/100539.htm
Full report by country: http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2007/index.htm

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with a population of more than 65 million. The king is revered and exerts strong informal influence. The interim prime minister, appointed by military leaders of the September 2006 coup, who called themselves the Council for National Security (CNS), continued to govern together with a cabinet consisting mostly of technocrats. A royal command on January 1 convened a Constitutional Drafting Assembly, whose members were chosen by the CNS, to draft a new constitution. On August 19, a majority of voters approved the new constitution in a referendum that observers generally considered free and fair. On December 23, the interim government held multiparty elections for the lower house of Parliament in which the People’s Power Party, led by Samak Sundaravej, won a plurality of seats. The election process was generally viewed as free and fair, but there were widespread allegations of vote buying. The interim civilian authorities appointed by the September 2006 coup leaders generally maintained effective control of the security forces, although the military continued to play a role in maintaining internal security. Read the rest of this entry »

[FACT comments: A little light humour from the Burmese junta! We often think most government officials don’t have two brain cells to rub together!]

Burma Fears Rambo
Bangkok Post: February 3, 2008

Burmese officials have banned even pirated copies of the new Rambo movie, and Hollywood’s Sylvester Stallone says he’d love to go to Rangoon and confront the junta face to face.

“These incredibly brave people have found, kind of a voice, in a very odd way, in American cinema… They’ve actually used some of the film’s quotes as rallying points,” said Stallone, 61, in a telephone interview with the Reuters news agency. Read the rest of this entry »