Censors Ban Thai Gay-Themed Film

[Tonyrichard]

"The film's content goes against public order or morality," the board said yesterday.

That is a joke, there is no morality here. Only pretensions and scams.

And it is a disgrace that this movie is censored.

Agreed this is one of the more blatant shows of pathetic and useless hypocrisy

even by Land Of Shinola standards.

Completely agree. I am staggered at the schizoid attitude of so many Thai officials (whether in universities or government) towards the issue of gayness. On the one hand, Thailand must have just about more gays, ladyboys, and bisexuals than almost any other nation on earth (there must be something in the water, I sometimes think!), yet the official attitude is tantamount to: 'Don't speak about it - it doesn't exist'. Utter hypocrisy and idiocy. As a gay university lecturer myself, I am (pleasantly) astonished at how many of the students and 'faculty' at university are gay - and yet the whole subject is taboo and cannot be openly and freely discussed. It is truly a sick joke!

[Ijustwannateach]

I'll just mention in passing that homophobic remarks or comments suggesting that the presence of homosexuals in general is harmful to children in general will not be tolerated, so post carefully.

[Ijustwannateach]

Regarding the topic, I'm somewhat tired of the use of the word 'gay' in news references recently mainly to refer to transgendered types or issues. In English it would be important to distinguish among these kinds of groups, who have somewhat different sets of social concerns. Perhaps the original Thai makes it clearer and this is simply a translation problem.

In any case, public discussion of such things is certainly called for, and the current climate of labelling anything to do with sex as 'immoral' is not only Victorian and hypocritical, but dangerous. It's countries which deny their sexual behaviour who wind up with the worst incidence of STD infection. And it's a sad failing of even the most liberal contemporary societies that children receive very little adult guidance or preparation for the onset of sexuality in their social lives. Certainly even the straightest children with the straightest parents could wind up confused about how to behave given all the different social messages in media, at school, from their peers, and from the adult so-called role models in their lives.

[dukkha]

I wouldn’t even use the energy to press the remote to watchit as all wasted on me personally; just a bit kinky mostly normal. Can anyoneexplain why Gay gets so much attention? Only 5% of all folks are supposed to begay so how come they get so much publicity? Bothers me that there maybe aconversion attempt in the process especially towards younger ones.

It is a heterosexual world.....we get a mention because we are still perceived as freaks, rememer it was only in the mid 70's that homosexuality was removed from the psychiatric register in USA...one is BORN gay, it aint a choice.....but in the words of Sir Ian McKellen, " I have always found heterosexuality quite fascinating...

[marquess]

With P.C abounding these days these days homosexuality is considered to be normal and to speak out against its promotion (not acceptance) no matter from what angle is considered Taboo, this in itself is a form of censorship.

[featography]

Transvestite director? NO. Tiffany Show...Yes!

End up entering the sex trade? NO. Patpong/Nana/etc...Yes!

Teenagers in school uniforms engaging in various sexual acts with clients? NO. Underaged boys/girls Sunee Plaza, Pattaya...Yes!

Gay life? NO. Boyztown...Yes!

Perhaps movies should not be too realistic in Thailand.

Spot on. Don't you know that reality is to be found on TV at 8.30 every night where everyone drives Mercs, has numerous maids of dark skin, the baddies all wear black, have fake moustaches and talk to themselves and the goodies all wear white and have stress trying to find the love of their life.

Too true and you left out, all farang in Thai movies are bad guys.

[landofthefree]

I'll just mention in passing that homophobic remarks or comments suggesting that the presence of homosexuals in general is harmful to children in general will not be tolerated, so post carefully.

I agree with your sentiments and those sentiments would be so in a perfect world but I think that most parents

in the real would prefer a heterosexual babysitter to look after their young boys than a homosexual one. If you

want to ban this comment then that is your choice but I would say that in doing so you are trying

to force your own personal opinion not that of I suspect the vast majority of people.

[asiawatcher]

With so much "gender-confusion" in Thailand it is a wonder the Censorship Board could even recognise the values portrayed on screen. Idiots - I would bet 1 in 5 CB members probably have Giks or 'stray' tendencies. The facade of Thai sensibilities and the farce of same continues.

[Beetlejuice]

That is a joke, there is no morality here. Only pretensions and scams.

Anyway they've released TONS of gay themed films, that's not the reason it's not approved for distribution.

Right on.

This has nothing to do with a gay theme, this is something different entirely.

Good, I`m glad this is banned, no wonder society has gone to pot with crap like this around to install into young peoples minds.

Mary Whitehouse was RIGHT!.

Edited November 11, 2010 by Beetlejuice

[NanaFoods]

Perhaps there was so much to cover up the Censors pixelation machine blew up. It must get hot just covering up the cigarettes, beer and nipples you don't see on TV.

don't forget about blurring faces of women eating icecream (yes), "too much" cleavage (who decides that?), and any accidental backside crack.

Drinking of any alcohol, even beer or wine, must also be blurred.... mild gore, etc., etc.

I recall trying to watch one American film (mafia themed... so it had all of the above and foul language) that nearly every scene that I was able to sit through had some blurring in it. I had to change to something else after a short while as my eyes were starting to forget how to focus. The movie was completely unwatchable. I couldn't understand why they bothered to air it. Seemed a waste of a time-slot.

Anyway, too bad the subject film is "banned".

Does mean even the target audience can't buy DVDs and watch it at home?

Censorship is so silly.

Edited November 11, 2010 by NanaFoods

[stormstereo]

So, where can I download it?

[jfchandler]

Don't forget,. there's currently a Thai comedy that's screening around the country at all the major theater chains that involves a story about some kind of Thai Marine or Navy Seal type guy who ends up getting married to a nice looking gal who to his great surprise turns out to be a ladyboy and pulled into sex with him/her, only then to be sent on a mission with his squad to hunt down some kind of crazed gang of ladyboys....

I haven't seen it, though it looks pretty funny based on the previews. So I may have a bit of the detail off here or there... But I believe that's pretty much the story....

In the censorship case, it probably was the teenagers in uniforms engaging in commercial xxxx that pushed the issue over the edge... Young people in Thailand don't do that, of course...

[Orac]

Has anyone actually seen this film who can comment on it.

It speaks volumes here that ppl are able to have such strong views one way or the other without having seen the film itself.

[geriatrickid]

Not that I am anti-gay, but somethings have to give.

Gay themed film, masturbation, sex in school uniform, sex trade, etc. Dont want that lying around the house.

Well then, you have a choice, do not buy the product.

[pattayabuggy]

Obviously insufficient tea money was offered to the board of censors by the film director.

[pattayabuggy]

Obviously insufficient tea money was offered to the board of censors by the film director.

[pattayabuggy]

Obviously insufficient tea money was offered to the board of censors by the film director.

[animatic]

"All censorship exist to prevent anyone from challenging current conceptions and existing institutions.

All progress is initiated by challenging current conceptions, and executed by supplanting existing institutions.

Consequently, the first condition of progress is the removal of censorship."

— George Bernard Shaw

"We are living in an interminable succession of absurdities imposed by the myopic logic of short-term thinking."

— Jacques-Yves Cousteau

These two gentlemen sum it all up well.

[harrry]

Would a film showing sex or simulated sex with people of either sex in shcool uniform be allowed in most countries or would it be banned as child pornography?

[phetaroi]

I wouldn’t even use the energy to press the remote to watchit as all wasted on me personally; just a bit kinky mostly normal. Can anyoneexplain why Gay gets so much attention? Only 5% of all folks are supposed to begay so how come they get so much publicity? Bothers me that there maybe aconversion attempt in the process especially towards younger ones.

1. I think a lot more than 5% of Bankokians are gay.

2. When you say "gets so much attention", what do you mean? When I look at the whole of the postings on Thai Visa, I doubt that even 5% (your number) are about gay topics.

3. Based on your 5% number, the 5% that are gay are going to be so much more successful at setting sexual trends than the 95% who are straight?

Methinks thou dost protest too much.

[SweatiePie]

From what I have been told of the film, although I have not seen it myself, the film is "gay-themed" because of the lead character's son and daughter, who are unsure of their sexuality/sexual preference and believe they may be gay, and most of the film is about their consequent sexual experiences. There is apparently no indication or suggestion that they are transgendered, transvestites or have GID so the "gay" labelling is fully justified.

The ban also appears to be fully justified, as Tanwarin (the director/producer/lead actor) insisted that it was "all or nothing", consequently the ban was because the film was simply pornographic and the ban had nothing to do with "gay life" or "gay" anything, apart from gay pornography (and straight/pedophile pornography).

[dude007]

Excellent .

The Board of Censors has banned the gay-themed Thai film “Insects in the Backyard” by transvestite director Tanwarin Sukkhapisit.

I am confused... He? She? In my opinion it's still a "He". So why the article continues with "she"... Where do the "she's" go peeing? in the men's restroom or in the ladies' restroom? Ask any [decent] lady in Thailand what they think about ladyboys going to the lady's restroom...

or the "Tom's" going into the men's restroom. Anyone can help me how we are decently addressing these travestites, without hurting the real ladies?

[toenail]

Most countries have some kind of censorship -- look at the USA which is worse for being two faced (in my opinion). I haven't seen the movie to tell how well it is done, but the plot explained does sound a bit over board. showing masterbating school children doesn't seem important to put in a movie in order to tell a story.

[Jirapa]

That is a joke, there is no morality here. Only pretensions and scams.

Anyway they've released TONS of gay themed films, that's not the reason it's not approved for distribution.

Right on.

This has nothing to do with a gay theme, this is something different entirely.

Good, I`m glad this is banned, no wonder society has gone to pot with crap like this around to install into young peoples minds.

Mary Whitehouse was RIGHT!.

Oh so you've seen it then to be able to judge it so comprehensively?

[toenail]

Most countries have some kind of censorship -- look at the USA which is worse for being two faced (in my opinion). I haven't seen the movie to tell how well it is done, but the plot does sound a bit over board. showing masterbating school children doesn't seem important to put in a movie in order to tell a story.

[tombkk]

I'll just mention in passing that homophobic remarks or comments suggesting that the presence of homosexuals in general is harmful to children in general will not be tolerated, so post carefully.

I agree with your sentiments and those sentiments would be so in a perfect world but I think that most parents

in the real would prefer a heterosexual babysitter to look after their young boys than a homosexual one. If you

want to ban this comment then that is your choice but I would say that in doing so you are trying

to force your own personal opinion not that of I suspect the vast majority of people.

Would you prefer a male heterosexual babysitter if you had girls? Anyway, not all men are pedophiles, whether they are straight or gay.

You are mixing many things together, methinks.

[tombkk]

I wouldn't even use the energy to press the remote to watchit as all wasted on me personally; just a bit kinky mostly normal. Can anyoneexplain why Gay gets so much attention? Only 5% of all folks are supposed to begay so how come they get so much publicity? Bothers me that there maybe aconversion attempt in the process especially towards younger ones.

'there maybe aconversion attempt in the process'...you must be joking. You actually believe that? This isn't religion...nobody is trying to convert anyone. You seem a little naive na....or just a little homophobic.

Everyone's entitled to their opinions, some people believe being gay is a choice, others understand that it is genetic. I believe being ignorant is a choice, so I am going to be careful which posts I read as I fear there may a plot afoot to convert us! Hold on to your reason folks, cause jackasses lurk everywhere!

The opinion that being gay is a choice is only held by some heterosexuals who do not know any gay people. The reason that no gay person has this opinion is because it is simply not true.

But you spoiled my amusement about the "conversion attempt". That was so funny! I would like to know how this would work. I know that there werem"medical" attempts in the past to convert homosexuals into heterosexuals and they utterly failed. The reason is that a gay person is gay, even though he can pretend not to be, even beget children. But happy he will be only in a gay relationship. Since the conversion attempts by the society don't work, how would you suggest to convert straight boys into gays?

[tombkk]

Not that I am anti-gay, but somethings have to give.

Gay themed film, masturbation, sex in school uniform, sex trade, etc. Dont want that lying around the house.

Then don't buy it. But you are making a good point:

Gay-themed films are not forbidden in Thailand. I have seen many gay movies in cinemas. Transvestite/transgender-themed films are not forbidden either. I think a new one comes out every year. Gay and transvestite/transgender are two completely different things, and as usual, the title of the Nation article is completely misleading.

Sexually explicit films, showing masturbation and sex acts are indeed forbidden in Thailand. This is regardless of whether this is a gay, T-themed or straight movie. The title of the article seems to have nothing to do with the core of the issue at all. I am very sorry that Thaivisa wastes bandwidth with such questionable journalism, but it was interesting to see the reaction of the contributors to this thread.

The apparently transexual director however has gained what she was looking for: Publicity, both for her and for her movie. Maybe more people will look for it now on the black market than would have viewed it had it not been banned with big fanfare in the sensational press. And yes, I said "she" and "her", because most M-to-F T-people I know prefer to be addressed as females.

[endure]

I wouldn't even use the energy to press the remote to watchit as all wasted on me personally; just a bit kinky mostly normal. Can anyoneexplain why Gay gets so much attention? Only 5% of all folks are supposed to begay so how come they get so much publicity? Bothers me that there maybe aconversion attempt in the process especially towards younger ones.

'there maybe aconversion attempt in the process'...you must be joking. You actually believe that? This isn't religion...nobody is trying to convert anyone. You seem a little naive na....or just a little homophobic.

Everyone's entitled to their opinions, some people believe being gay is a choice, others understand that it is genetic. I believe being ignorant is a choice, so I am going to be careful which posts I read as I fear there may a plot afoot to convert us! Hold on to your reason folks, cause jackasses lurk everywhere!

The opinion that being gay is a choice is only held by some heterosexuals who do not know any gay people. The reason that no gay person has this opinion is because it is simply not true.

You're wasting your time Tom. There are people out there who truly believe that people who live in places like Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia 'choose' to be gay even though they know they'll be forced to have their genitals chopped off or be executed if they're discovered. There are some posters who simply aren't worth arguing with. You know what they say - never try to teach a pig to dance. It wastes time and annoys the pig.

[atyclb]

"The film's content goes against public order or morality," the board said yesterday.

That is a joke, there is no morality here. Only pretensions and scams.

And it is a disgrace that this movie is censored.

Agreed this is one of the more blatant shows of pathetic and useless hypocrisy

even by Land Of Shinola standards.

Completely agree. I am staggered at the schizoid attitude of so many Thai officials (whether in universities or government) towards the issue of gayness. On the one hand, Thailand must have just about more gays, ladyboys, and bisexuals than almost any other nation on earth (there must be something in the water, I sometimes think!), yet the official attitude is tantamount to: 'Don't speak about it - it doesn't exist'. Utter hypocrisy and idiocy. As a gay university lecturer myself, I am (pleasantly) astonished at how many of the students and 'faculty' at university are gay - and yet the whole subject is taboo and cannot be openly and freely discussed. It is truly a sick joke!

Mainstream society seems to be quite conservative. It seems gays, lesbians and ladyboys coexist fairly peacefully with society. Many gays and lesbians are high achievers, often contribute to the arts and academia. Not that I mean to patronage any group, but I'd often rather hang out with my high function, open minded, educated lesbian friend than the usual soap opera world, mundane, Thai uni grad female couch potatoes (no disrespect to those with couch potatoes)

As far as Nana, Pat Pong, Pattaya, apparently they exist because they are police controlled entities. The government does not seem to have control over the police.