Latest news with #ArtsEntertainmentClassificationCode
AsiaOne
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
'Arts must have the space to explore uncomfortable realities': Wild Rice responds to ban on play by IMDA and MHA , Singapore News
Theatre company Wild Rice said that they "categorically reject the characterisation" that one of their plays "glamorises drug abuse", after it was banned by local authorities for undermining anti-drug policy. The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in a joint statement on Friday (June 20), said that the dramatised reading of Homepar has been disallowed in its current form. This comes just a day before its staging. The revised script submitted on June 5 had substantially changed from the version submitted on April 21, they noted, pointing out that the new material glamorises drug abuse and portrays an undercover Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) officer shielding abusers from detection. "It undermines Singapore's anti-drug policy, our drug rehabilitation regime, and public confidence in the CNB," said the joint statement. "Performances that undermine Singapore's national interest are not permitted under the AECC (Arts Entertainment Classification Code)." Wild Rice responds Wild Rice, in their statement posted on IG and Facebook on Friday (June 20), pointed out that the play is a "reductive reading of a nuanced and empathetic work that is, at its core, about healing and recovery". "The central character's journey is one of struggle, resilience, and the power of community in overcoming addiction and stigma," said the company, adding that Homepar does not condone or glorify substance use. "It seeks to ask why people — real people, in our society — turn to drugs, often as a response to trauma, discrimination, and marginalisation," said Wild Rice. "The characters portrayed express a spectrum of attitudes, including rejection and ambivalence, and the play ends with a celebration of community that is explicitly and intentionally drug-free." The theatre company added that the play, written by Mitchell Fang, was a "work in development" and that it was "never intended as a full production" but a process to collect "feedback and revision". "We also believe that the arts must have the space to explore complex, often uncomfortable realities," Wild Rice said. They also said that they "remain committed to responsible storytelling" and "working constructively with regulators" to ensure that Homepar "can be seen, understood, and appreciated for what it truly is." According to a synopsis on Wild Rice's website, Homepar — a reference to house parties in the gay party scene — is about a man who hosts one such party to "power through a tough break-up and celebrate their evolving gender identity". However, the host and his guests subsequently received a knock on the door at 4am. April 21 script could be staged: IMDA IMDA said it had previously informed Wild Rice that their prior April 21 script could be staged as it met the requirements. The theatre company, however, has chosen not to revert their script to their initial version. IMDA added that Singapore's firm stance against drugs remains unchanged, and that they will continue to uphold the AECC to protect national interest. [[nid:719172]]
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Singapore bans Wild Rice's Homepar for depicting drug abuse, undermining CNB
IMDA bans Wild Rice's Homepar for violating anti-drug policy standards The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) of Singapore has officially banned a revised version of the theatre production Homepar, produced by the local company Wild Rice. The authority, in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), determined that the updated script undermines Singapore's anti-drug policies and public trust in the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB). According to a joint statement released Friday (June 20), IMDA stated that Wild Rice submitted the revised script for the dramatised reading on June 5. Upon review, authorities deemed it to be in breach of the Arts Entertainment Classification Code (AECC), noting that the script had 'substantially changed' from the original version submitted on April 21. Also read: Jeffrey Siow addresses COE system, private-hire cars, ERP 2.0 and EV plans in Singapore 'The new material depicts and glamorises drug abuse and portrays an undercover CNB officer shielding abusers from detection,' IMDA said. 'It undermines Singapore's anti-drug policy, our drug rehabilitation regime, and public confidence in the CNB. Performances that undermine Singapore's national interest are not permitted under the AECC.' Live Events Wild Rice declines to revert to approved script, leading to disallowance IMDA confirmed that the original script for Homepar had met the requirements for an R18 classification and was approved for staging. However, the theatre company did not revert to the approved version after being informed of the classification. 'However, Wild Rice has chosen not to revert to that version,' IMDA said. 'Consequently, IMDA has disallowed the performance in its current form.' The authority reiterated Singapore's strict anti-drug stance and emphasized the importance of the AECC in protecting national interests. 'Singapore's firm stance against drugs remains unchanged, and we will continue to uphold the AECC to protect national interest,' IMDA stated. Also read: Singapore warns of tariff cascade as worried Asia eyes Trump According to the show's synopsis on Wild Rice's official website, Homepar, a term referencing house parties within the gay party scene, centers on a protagonist hosting a party as a means of coping with a breakup and exploring their evolving gender identity. Ivan Heng, a prominent actor and theatre director, is the founding artistic director of Wild Rice, which operates a 20,000 sq ft arts facility at Funan Mall. Channel News Asia (CNA) has contacted Wild Rice for comment, but no official response has been issued as of publication. Historical context of Singapore's censorship in performing arts This is not the first time Singapore authorities have disallowed a performance. In 2013, the former Media Development Authority banned a play titled Stoma by Agni Kootthu (Theatre of Fire) for what it called 'sexually explicit, blasphemous and offensive references and language' deemed disrespectful to the Catholic and broader Christian communities. Also read: Singapore dissolves parliament, paving the way for general elections Singapore's IMDA has banned the theatre production Homepar by Wild Rice, citing depictions of drug abuse and an undercover CNB officer shielding drug users. Authorities say the revised script violates the Arts Entertainment Classification Code and undermines anti-drug policies and public confidence in the Central Narcotics Bureau Singapore bans Wild Rice's Homepar for depicting drug abuse, undermining CNB In 2016, IMDA also denied classification to two film screenings scheduled at a festival due to what it described as 'excessive nudity,' further reinforcing the government's ongoing control over media content considered inconsistent with national values.
Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Wild Rice's Homepar pulled by IMDA, MHA for ‘glamourising drug abuse'
The revised script for the Wild Rice production was found to have breached the Arts Entertainment Classification Code. ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG SINGAPORE - A production by theatre company Wild Rice has been pulled by the authorities for 'glamourising drug abuse', just a day before its staging. The dramatised reading of Homepar by playwright Mitchell Fang has been disallowed in its current form, said the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in a joint statement on June 20. The revised script submitted on June 5 had substantially changed from the version submitted on April 21, they said. This earlier script met classification requirements and could be staged under a R18 rating. However, the revised script was found to have breached the Arts Entertainment Classification Code (AECC). 'The new material depicts and glamorises drug abuse and portrays an undercover Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) officer shielding abusers from detection,' said the joint statement. 'It undermines Singapore's anti-drug policy, our drug rehabilitation regime, and public confidence in the CNB. Performances that undermine Singapore's national interest are not permitted under the AECC.' Homepars are house parties in which the gay nightclub atmosphere is recreated in a living or hotel room. As Wild Rice has chosen not to revert to the April 21 version of the script, IMDA said it has disallowed the performance in its current form. The statement added: 'Singapore's firm stance against drugs remains unchanged, and IMDA will continue to uphold the AECC to protect national interest.' The Straits Times has contacted Wild Rice for comment. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
