At issue: their film Mentega Terbang (“ Butterfly » in Malay) banned in the country. While critics of the film call it “blasphemous “, on Wednesday, a court in Kuala Lumpur officially accused the two men of insulting “ the religious feelings of others “. The film crew had already been summoned by the police and Islamic religious authorities in Kuala Lumpur last April.
2 mins
With our correspondent in Kuala Lumpur, Juliette Pietraszewski
It’s a banned film, but one that continues to be talked about. Released on bail, its director Khairi Jailani and its producer Tan Meng Kheng deny having deliberately “ hurt anyone’s religious feelings “. Facts for which they are now officially accused. It is the first time in this multicultural and multi-ethnic country, with a Muslim majority, that Malaysian filmmakers have faced such an accusation.
The film Mentega Terbang tells the story of a young Malay Muslim girl, interested in what other religions say about life after death while her mother is terminally ill. According to critics, certain scenes in the film are considered contrary to Islamic teachings and beliefs. Criticisms which led to the film being banned by the Malaysian government last September.
The filmmakers, also threatened with death, had already mentioned a violation of freedom of expression. A vision still shared by many NGOs today.
“ Amnesty International, along with other organizations, calls on the Malaysian authorities to immediately and unconditionally drop charges against the filmmakers, reacts Jerrie Abella, member of Amnesty International Malaysia. We urge the Malaysian government to end the criminalization of religious offence, and the use of any other provision in the law to cut off all freedom of expression and artistic freedom in Malaysia… But we also urge them to be ensure that all legislation complies with international human rights law and standards. »
The two filmmakers should be decided on their fate on March 14.