KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s first gay-themed movie has been a hit at the box office but an official from the conservative Islamic party PAS called for it to be banned despite its anti-homosexual ending.
“Dalam Botol” (Inside a Bottle) raked in RM1 million in the first five days, making it a local hit, the Star daily reported, despite Malaysia’s conservative views on homosexuality.
The movie, which opened on March 24, features a gay male character who has a sex-change operation to please his lover but finally regrets the procedure. It ends with him falling in love with a girl.
Although the movie has a gay theme, producer Raja Azmi Raja Sulaiman said she regarded it as a warning to the public about homosexual culture.
“For me, this film is my soapbox to remind society not to be influenced by gay culture, which is considered taboo in this country,” Raja Azmi told the Star.
In Malaysia, positive depictions of homosexuality in popular culture are taboo with local media facing fines of up to RM50,000.
Sodomy, even between consenting adults, is illegal and punishable by up to 20 years in prison and lashing.
Although the movie ends with the lead character opting for a heterosexual relationship, Hatta Ramli, senior opposition lawmaker from PAS told AFP that films depicting gay lifestyles should not be shown to the public.
“I do not understand why we expose such movies to the people. We do not need such movies.
-AFP
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