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Miyabi film debuts without incident
The screening of the controversial, locally made film Menculik Miyabi (Kidnapping Miyabi) grabbed public attention across the city on Friday with threats from a hard-line Muslim organization to raid film theaters playing it
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he screening of the controversial, locally made film Menculik Miyabi (Kidnapping Miyabi) grabbed public attention across the city on Friday with threats from a hard-line Muslim organization to raid film theaters playing it.
Many viewers flocked to theaters out of curiosity, wanting to see the Japanese adult star Maria “Miyabi” Ozawa, who was denied entry to the country by the Culture and Tourism Ministry last year
due to the constant protests from the Islam Defenders Front (FPI).
“I want to see Miyabi,” filmgoer Ocha told The Jakarta Post, adding that people should stop making a fuss about the film, as it passed the state censor body and was rated for teens.
Ina, another viewer, concurred, saying that people should not judge Miyabi just because she starred in adult films.
Ina also added that she was not afraid of watching it despite the threats by FPI members.
Both Ina and Ocha said they enjoyed the comedic side of Menculik Miyabi but were disappointed because Miyabi herself had limited screen time.
Menculik Miyabi was screened at 18 film theaters across the city on Friday.
A manager of the Pondok Indah Mall branch of a theater chain said he was not planning to step up security despite widespread rumors of an imminent FPI sweep.
The FPI is notorious for their violent and highly illegal and mostly unpunished raids.
Most recently, they stormed a transgender workshop in Depok, South Jakarta.
FPI economy unit head Mustafa Embong said the organization gave a mandate to the Jakarta branch of the FPI on Thursday to handle the issue.
“We will act if the film causes societal unrest.
“Our stance on this matter is clear. We will always perceive Miyabi as a forbidden character because she is a porn star, despite new non-pornographic roles.”
Mukhlis Paeni of the Film Censorship Board told the Post that Menculik Miyabi did not violate the country’s procedural censorship standards.
“There are no scenes in the film we consider pornographic. Nothing’s wrong with it,” he said, adding that the board did not object to passing the film, especially given the recent decline of the Indonesian film industry.
The film’s producer, Ody Mulya, said he did not want his film being politicized, but just wanted the audience to watch it for entertainment purposes only.
“I am afraid there are other parties wanting to take advantage of this issue and creating conditions for unhealthy competition in the film industry,” he said.
He said he was also aware that the pros and cons surrounding his film could also propel its
popularity.
The 90-minute long Menculik Miyabi premiered on Thursday night. (tsy)
