The world we live in is as beautiful as it is diverse.
Different landscapes, countless languages, and a bounty of traditions that have continued on through generations, are passed down in stories and song. The cultural fabric of any nation is made up of its people's beliefs, food, customs, language, and music. Each of these individual parts help make up the unique whole, but each one is tied to the people from which they originate. It is the people's food, the people's music, and the people's language for a reason.
Therefore, in order to understand a cultural identity, one must first understand its people.
In recent years, the many cultures of the world have been often and more aggressively divided into 'the East' and 'the West'. The East (sometimes referred to as the Eastern World, the Far East, and so forth) refers, in large part, to the whole of Pacific Asia, while excluding Australia and New Zealand. The West, however, spans over the whole of Europe, across aforementioned Australasia and the Americas. Of course, it should be mentioned that while these labels are subject to discussion, they are based largely on territory, religion, and culture. Even so, there is flexibility around which countries -- even cities -- are considered to be in what sphere.
Let's start by looking at the East, to better understand their personal brand of culture and how they contribute to the diversity of our world. Largely, Eastern outlooks are notably more traditional and conservative than their Western counterparts. They are usually more family-driven, with their family structures rooted in respect for their elders and parents. Even with levels of increasing modernization alongside the internet and social media bringing progressive ideas more often to the forefront, old customs like arranged marriages or integrated families still remain.
Similarly, there are topics and discussions that can trigger the collective sensitivities of a people. When many people, for good or for bad, share the same values, traditions, and a cultural perspective, even the very discussion of a contentious topic can become an issue. With the prevalence of streaming services and a wider access to films and media from other cultures, there is more exposure to topics that may be considered 'taboo' for certain groups.
Yet, where can one even begin? After all, the definition of 'the East' stretches as far west as Turkey and does not end until the eastern shores of Japan -- a distance of over 5,000 miles! Part of the goal of this series is to present different examples of culture-focused controversy and media. Each have come out of the Eastern world, in order for people from all walks of life to better understand cultural sensitivities.
Stay tuned to our blog for a sampling of Eastern countries that have had moments of cultural difficulty in film and TV. The goal here is not to make any single defining statement, but to present and acknowledge each territory's unique perspective and challenge with how they handle representation, censorship, and media within their own country.
Cultural Landscapes: Malaysia
As one of the largest and most economically successful nations in Southeast Asia, Malaysia has had a multi-cultural story from the beginning. With influences from foreign European powers, to nations in the Pacific sphere, Malaysia has been inundated with huge blooms of culture and religion -- from its inception, to its independence from the United Kingdom in the 1950s, and finally to the modern Malaysia of today.
However, even with a confluence of multicultural spheres, Malaysia still faces countless struggles over how best to represent the needs and wants of its people in film and television. With more than 30 million people, from diverse backgrounds, denominations, and lifestyles, it can be hard to appropriately cater to the needs and desires of all Malaysians.
Below are some examples from the last several years, sourced from Malaysian news and media, as part of our 'Cultural Landscapes' series.
LGBTQ+
In 2019, George Varughese, the president of the Malaysian bar, said that members of the LGBTQ+ community are human beings and that they are Malaysian citizens whose rights must be recognized and respected. Yet, even with the words of a legal leader stating it, many challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community still exist.
One of the more recent films to be the subject of controversy was "Bohemian Rhapsody" (2018). The movie faced several drastic cuts from Malaysian censors, in line with the country's strict laws on homosexuality. The particular examples given were scenes in which Freddie Mercury revealed his bisexuality alongside another pivotal moment where the band dresses in drag. Because of the material, and even after being censored, the movie received an 18+ rating in Malaysia
In 2017, the Malaysian regulator insisted that Disney cut four minutes of ' exclusively gay content ' from its movie " Beauty and the Beast" or else face censorship. However, Disney stood firm on making no cuts, and the film was released in its entirety with a P13 rating. Interestingly, while Disney stood strong against Malaysia's requests to remove the four minutes of LGBTQ+ content from "Beauty and the Beast", they completely removed an LGBTQ+ moment from "The Rise of Skywalker" in order to stay culturally compliant in another Southeast Asian country .
RELIGION AND BLASPHEMY
Southeast Asia is home to many cultures, religions and heritages, ranging across a wide variety of unique beliefs. For example, Malaysia's official religion is Islam, despite having a wide mix of denominations from India, China, Europe, and the Malay people . Despite this melting pot of cultures, they are not shy about censoring content in relation to religion and blasphemy, specifically Islam.
For example, the Bollywood movie, "Padmaavat" (2018), was banned over the negative portrayal of a Muslim ruler, Sultan Alauddin Khalji. Malaysian authorities rejected the film citing communal uneasiness . Similar to other regulators, Malaysia's Board censors content according to its interpretation of people's desires. However, unlike other countries in both the East and West, Malaysia's regulators make the final decision in allowing a film to be exhibited. Its verdict cannot be questioned or challenged by any court of law in Malaysia.
Malaysia's situation is perhaps one of the most unique within Southeastern Asia. With a large population, a massive respect toward its state religion, and a government body with sole authority, it can be challenging navigating the country's political and cultural landscape. Often, people need to discuss changes before they can be realized. In this case, the conversation is just as important as the outcome.
Consequently, it falls to the people to ensure their voices are heard.
