Good Movies Banned in Malaysia

Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at 11:12 pm

When it comes to censorship, they don’t mess around in Malaysia. For that reason, I’ve put together this list of some good movies banned in Malaysia, which, for the geographically challenged, is a country in Southeast Asia bordered by Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, and Brunei.

Malaysia didn’t exist as a unified state until 1963, but since then they’ve wasted no time in protecting the people from pesky items like nudity, violence and foul language. Each TV episode or film is carefully monitored by The Film Censorship Board of Malaysia, and everything from kissing to Hebrew or Yiddish language films may get the axe. Thanks goodness for pirated DVDs!

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Here is the current film rating system in Malaysia:

In case you’re wondering, things are just as tough for newspapers, musicians, and writers. In fact, the band Linkin Park was asked not to wear shorts during a 2003 concert. Sadly, Malaysian officials didn’t seem to mind that Linkin Park sucks.

All of this is done, by the way, in a supposed effort to preserve “family values” throughout the country. My, what a fine excuse for stifling free speech.

Here are 10 good movies banned in Malaysia, but the complete list is far longer. In fact, while you’ve been reading this post, our friends in the Film Censorship Board of Malaysia have probably axed at least a couple of films.

The Hangover (2009) – American audiences went wild for this comedy about four buddies who head to Vegas for a bachelor party and end up drunk, confused, and in hot water with a Phil Collins-loving Mike Tyson. No doubt the foul language, reference to sexual activity, nudity, and presence of a wacky Asian didn’t help its cause.

Boogie Nights (1997) – The story of the rise and fall of fictional porn star Dirk Digler (Mark Wahlberg) was sure to inflame the censors in Malaysia. This film features graphic violence, gay and straight sex, and even a nice shot of Marky Mark’s enhanced penis. Plus, I’ve always suspected that the Malaysians hate Burt Reynolds and his threatening moustache.

Step Brothers (2008) – Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly play a couple of full-grown morons who still live with their parents. When the aforementioned parents get married, they’re thrown together and must learn how to deal with adult issues. Apparently, grown-ups acting like 12-year-old doesn’t go over well in Malaysia, and neither do copious amounts of swearing and depictions of adultery.

The Big Sleep (1946) – Private detective Philip Marlowe (Humphrey Bogart) investigates a murder in this classic film noir from director Howard Hawks. Filled with blackmail, implied sexual situations, and heaping helpings of a dangerous-looking Lauren Bacall, The Big Sleep was banned in Malaysia until 1999.

Hustle and Flow (2005) – It’s not easy being a pimp, as evidenced in this film starring Terrence Howard as an aspiring Memphis rapper. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Original Song, the film captures the grit, heat, and poverty of life in the South. Malaysian censors were probably completely taken aback by scenes in which DJ Qualls appears hip.

Beavis and Butthead Do America (1996) – The metal-loving animated creations of Mike Judge take to the big screen for some cross-country mayhem and music. Demi Moore and Bruce Willis also lend their famous voices to the film as a feuding married couple who draw our dumbass heroes into their web of murder and international terrorism. I can only imagine what Malaysian censors made of the great Cornholio.

Zoolander (2001) – Ben Stiller stars as Derek Zoolander, a witless fashion model who gets involved in a plot to assassinate the Prime Minister of Malaysia. The film’s a real hoot, but the depiction of Malaysia as a country completely reliant on income from sweatshops was deemed “definitely unsuitable” by censors. Too bad, as banning the film deprived lots of Malaysians from once again enjoying Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “Relax.”

The Ten Commandments (1956) – The story of Moses (Charlton Heston), his deliverance of the Hebrew slaves, and his servitude to God has long been banned in Malaysia. That’s a shame, as the Cecil B. DeMille epic delivers plenty of big-budget effects and wonderful performances from Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter, and Carl Switzer (who played Alfalfa on Our Gang) as a slave. Oddly enough, Switzer and DeMille would die on the same day in 1959.

South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999) – Those rascals from South Park, Colorado head to the big screen in this animated film directed by Trey Parker. When local kids start cursing up a storm following the release of the latest film from Canadian stars Terrance and Phillip, their mothers wage a tireless campaign that eventually leads to war with our neighbors from the north and the internment of all Cannucks living in the U.S. Meanwhile, Satan and his gay lover, Saddam Hussein, prepare to lead the forces of Hell to the surface. Is there really any doubt why this one got banned? I’m sure Parker and Stone wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Final Destination (2000) – After a group of high school students cheat Death by leaving a doomed flight just before takeoff, the grim one starts picking them off using increasingly elaborate methods. Starring Devon Sawa, Ali Larter, Seann William Scott, and Tony Todd.

TV episodes & movies from Netflix – now instantly to your TV! Free trial

For more about movies getting banned around the globe, be sure to check out the links below. And don’t forget about the Netflix links we’ve conveniently provided. The small commission we make enables us to buy firearms to prevent Malaysia from taking over America and executing Michael Bay (then again, if they’ll let Linkin Park play, they might promote Bay to Prime Minister.)

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 5th, 2010 at 11:12 pm and is filed under Good Movies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

7 Responses to “Good Movies Banned in Malaysia”

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August 6, 2010

Angela

Say wha— Final Destination was banned??? Why, for being absolute shite????

October 12, 2010

Rollie

Don’t purchase anything from Malaysia…

The government is racist and bigoted…

Don’t purchase erasers from Malaysia…

December 30, 2010

Amancalledamie

nice blog, i will come again to see your preview about new movies in new year

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