The world is entering a new era of international collaboration in media and entertainment. How do stakeholders and participants blend and interpret their respective cultures and points of view? What results--a piece of work that celebrates the beliefs and values of local people, or will misunderstanding and controversy flourish? The film, "The Lady of Heaven," is one such multicultural endeavor. It was produced by the U.K.'s Enlightened Kingdom, directed by Eli King, an Australian born actor of Egyptian descent, and written by Sheikh Yasser Al-Habib, a Kuwaiti Shia Muslim cleric, and the head of the London-based Khoddam Al-Mahdi Organization. After watching the trailer, the film appears to be a vivid, multilayered story with significant religious overtones. "The Lady of Heaven" was due to be released Dec. 30 but has not. While no official reason has been given, dissent about the content's veracity has already begun.

In the oversaturated Superhero content market, it is rare for heroes to go against the epitomized image of squeaky-clean role models with godlike powers who save us from menacing villains justin the nick of time. Enter "The Boys." Amazon's hit show takes this notion and turns it on its head. In the series, Vought International presents to the world, "The Seven." These corporate Supes(short for superheroes), polished tip to toe are not dissimilar from carefully designed happy meals that conformists consume on a nice platter. Unlike Marvel Studio's "The Avengers," these Supes are radically damaged characters created in secret labs, pumped with illicit Vought chemicals to achieve unbelievable abilities.

On Sept. 9, the coming-of-age drama "Cuties," was released on Netflix in the U.S. The company bought worldwide rights (excluding France) to the film and in January 2020 it premiered at Sundance, winning the World Cinema Dramatic Competition. The film is translated in to more than 40 languages and is available in 190 territories. In France, it was released Aug. 19 by Bac Films, who handled French rights.

As social media and technology advances, new types of video content services and user experiences are rapidly evolving. The blend of modern content creation and internet services has changed viewing habits, especially for newer generations. Though traditional television remains an important source of entertainment, increasingly, audiences now prefer to consume video-sharing on portable devices.

Thailand is a melting pot of different people and cultures. At present, over 52% of the population resides in cities. Primarily a Buddhist country, about 94.6% of its citizens follow the Theravada tradition and the remaining 4.3% and 1.1% observe Islam and Christianity respectively . While Thailand is more open and welcoming than other Asian countries, it too, has points of cultural sensitivity. Presented below are a few examples of its conservative side. Respect for Buddhism Religious respect is deeply rooted in Thai culture. Buddhism and its belief symbols are revered, and any gesture of disrespect is unacceptable by person or in media. In 2015, the Thai Culture Ministry banned horror movie “Arbat” citing contempt for Buddhism. The movie depicted Thai monks engaging in misconduct including drinking, consuming drugs and having improper relations with women. Moreover, the Thailand Film Censorship Board stated that some scenes disrespected Buddha. This is not an isolated incident. Over the years, the Board banned several films it deemed disparaging to Buddhism and Buddhists. Political Sensitivity Thailand is quite politically sensitive and films with political content undergo cautious scrutiny in the country. Consider the 2012 film “Shakespeare Must Die.” This adaptation of Shakespeare’s play Macbeth was banned by the country’s culture minister citing it would “cause divisions between Thai people” due to its underlying references criticizing Thai politics and monarchy through characters such as a dictator named Dear Leader. In “Symmetry of Splendour,” the independent filmmaker did not release this film in Thailand in fear of government reprisals due to its references to the 1965 military crackdown, albeit it received critically acclaimed reviews around the world. Moral Sensitivity The film “Syndromes and a Century” also received global critical acclaim. However, the director, Apichatpong Weerasethakul pulled the release rather than comply with the Thailand Film Censorship Board’s demand that four scenes be cut. Those contentious scenes depicted characters kissing and using alcohol and Buddhist monks playing the guitar and with a remote-control toy. LGBTQ Representation The 2010 film about a transgender father, “Insects in the Backyard,” was banned for “violating the moral values of society.” This inspired the movie maker, Tanwarin Sukkhapisit to join politics and become the first transgender parliament member in the country. A seven-year-long legal battle for the movie’s release resulted in screening approval for audiences aged 20 and above after a three-second nudity scene was cut. Tanwarin Sukkhapisit also sought an amendment to the Film and Video Act to improve freedom of expression and better gender equality. Thailand is a place of majestic natural beauty with a vital and varied culture. While change is potent and inevitable, Thai citizens strive to maintain traditions and preserve their heritage as they enter each new era.

Russian writer Yevgeny Zamyatin published “We” in 1921. The story follows the totalitarian society, One State, its architecture is made-up almost entirely of glass. The citizens are under mass surveillance and society functions strictly by logic and reasoning which justify the common law . The book is as contentious now as it was when it was released. The fallout after the novel circulated forced Zamyatin to move to Paris as his career in Russia was declared dead. He was blacklisted in his homeland. Though he eventually died penniless and in poverty, “We” is considered one of the greatest Dystopian masterpieces. So, what is it about Dystopia that makes people-particularly those in power-so uncomfortable? In many ways, Dystopian stories are political satires that explore possibilities of what can go wrong in that environment. In 2019, Netflix India released “Leila,” based on the book of the same name by Indian journalist and novelist, Prayaag Akbar. The story follows a woman named Shalini in her quest to find her daughter, Leila, kidnapped by a totalitarian regime. The regime known as Aryavarta is controlled by supreme leader, Doctor Joshi, who rules with an iron fist. People are segregated based on their religion and forbidden to mate beyond the confines of it. Those who do not obey the law are punished and children of those unions are forcefully taken away. The series contains considerable imagery and symbolism derived from Hinduism. So, it was not unexpected when far-right Indian organizations started striking out at the series, calling it ‘Anti-Hindu’ and accusing it of spreading #Hinduphobia, which went on to become a Twitter trend. “Leila” dares to ask uncomfortable questions. Netflix India’s horror offering, “Ghoul” released in 2018, follows characters in a not too distant future overtaken by sectarianism. In this story, words like ‘anti-national’ are used openly to label anyone daring to challenge the State’s authority. While the central plot focuses on the dark mysteries of one detention facility inmate, the sharp political jabs asserted throughout hit their mark. The world of “Ghoul” is one where intellectuals are routinely rounded-up, heckled and profiled. A time where literature is contraband and book burning the norm; a grim projection of what can be. The need for Dystopian content is now. When Yevgeny Zamyatin wrote “We,” sealing his own fate, he bravely set out to question Stalin and his policies. When objections are raised about a fictious regime in “Leila,” citizens ought to question why .

Singapore is the world's fourth strongest financial market with the highest concentration of millionaire households. Evolving greatly from its humble beginnings, the tiny island nation is one of Asia's richest and most robust countries. Singapore has the second highest per capita gross domestic product. A highly economically developed country, it hosts a rich cultural heritage. Tracing its roots back to the third century, Singapore has witnessed civilizations, wars, foreign occupation and liberation before finally emerging as a powerhouse.

Located around 500 miles off Asia's southeast coast, the beautiful archipelago country of the Philippines includes over 7,000 islands. It is Asia's largest Christian majority nation with a population of 93 million. Filipino society is shaped by nearby Japan and China as well as India, the Middle East and Borneo. It is also interesting to note major Hispanic influences in the country's culture and ethnicity owing to its former colonial occupation.

OTT platforms are steadily expanding their international presence. Content providers want to be relevant in local markets by connecting with audiences through content that is culturally relatable. Platforms want to engage consumers to not only passively watch the content but also to share, comment and debate. However, it seems in their quest to provide cutting edge entertainment to customers, OTT platforms in India are ruffling some feathers on the wrong side of the political spectrum.