4 Dec – There is no getting in the room of local cinemas for Eric Khoo's latest movie as "In the Room" has been denied even an R21 rating, the most restrictive of classifications in Singapore. With the Media Development Authority's (MDA) concern over the movie's explicit depictions of sex, according to The Straits Times, the director stated that he would have to make an appeal to the authority to allow his movie to be screened in cinemas. "It's sad... there's nothing really that contentious about my film," said Khoo. "If I were to censor it, it would go against my principles as a film-maker." Producer Shi Nansun explained that Khoo felt his vision would not be demonstrated properly if a cut version of the movie was released commercially.
It was revealed by MDA that two scenes in the movies have exceeded the classification guidelines for sexual content. The movie could still be classified R21, MDA had advised the distributors, if cuts were made. However, since the application was later withdrawn, MDA has not officially classified the movie for commercial release. Starring Singapore-based actors George Young, Koh Boon Pin and Daniel Jenkins, "In the Room" tells of the sexual escapades over seven decades in the fictional Singapura Hotel's Room 27. Korean stars Choi Woo-shik and Kim Kkobbi, Hong Kong singer-actress Josie Ho, Japanese adult-film actress Shou Nishino, Thai actor Aeaw and Malaysian actor Lawrence Wong also star in the movie dedicated to the late author Damien Sin. "In the Room" has been screened at several festivals including in Singapore, Busan and Toronto. It is set for release in Hong Kong in January 2016. (Photo source: WhatsNext SG's YouTube)