THE Malaysian Association of Film Exhibitors (MAFE) has denied claims of sabotage involving the biopic screening of “Anwar: The Untold Story”, adding that despite claims by certain quarters, cinemas were screening the movie an average of five times per location.
MAFE also rejected claims of intentional hindrance or lack of support for local filmmakers.
“Local cinema exhibitors have an average of five movie showtimes for ‘Anwar: The Untold Story’ scheduled per location, covering 70% of locations across the country. A wider range of showtimes are available at central cinema locations,” MAFE was quoted saying in a statement.
MAFE’s statement on the matter came following DMY Creation chairman Datuk Mohamed Yusoff’s accusation that certain cinemas were “sabotaging” the biopic by refusing to screen it.
In a statement dated May 21, Mohamed expressed disappointment that the biopic is being sabotaged by certain cinemas, even more so by the fact that certain cinemas have prepared 40 screening slots for international films but only four slots for a movie about the sacrifices the Malaysian prime minister had made to fight corruption.
The film Anwar: The Untold Story” was released nationwide on Thursday last week (May 18) and has since collected a whopping RM1 mil on its opening day.
Based on Anwar’s life which took place between 1993 and 1998, the 108-minute movie stars actor Farid Kamil as Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian actress Acha Septriasa as his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as the leads. – May 23, 2023
Main pic credit: Facebook/Anwar Ibrahim
