11 Oct – Three days before it was to be released, "Sex.Violence.FamilyValues" has been banned in Singapore because it was deemed offensive to the island's ethnic Indian minority, according to Asia One. The satirical local movie had originally been slapped with a M18 rating, but after further deliberation, the review panel concluded that one of the three stories in the 47-minute independent movie was unsuitable for public exhibition. Part of the offensive scene can be seen in the trailer, where local film and stage star Adrian Pang made fun of a co-actor's Indian ethnicity in a story entitled "Porn Masala", and could still be viewed in spite of the ban on the film's official website. The film's ban on Tuesday has generated strong criticism of the MDA and calls for Singaporeans to be allowed to judge the movie for themselves. However, a statement sent to AFP by the Media Development Authority (MDA) stated, "An overwhelming majority of the panel members have expressed that the film should not be allowed for public exhibition in view of its overt racial references which are demeaning and offensive to Indians. Should the film owner wish to pursue the matter, they may lodge an appeal with the Films Appeal Committee."
"Sex.Violence.FamilyValues" is a short film that consists of "three iconoclastic stories... that pitches political correctness out the window of Singapore mainstream cinema." One tells of a kindergarten principal who finds three morbid cartoons drawn by her docile star pupil. Another is about an actor who struggles with his role in a post-modern 'romance porno'. The third features a middle-aged nightclub bouncer facing off with a rebellious teenage stripper. All three are directed by first-time director Ken Kwek for just SG$100,000.