Posted on 04/18/2009 10:52:39 PM PDT by JoeProBono
A prominent human rights activist has blasted Samoa's film censors for banning SEAN PENN's Oscar-winning movie MILK. Samoa's Censorship Board has rejected an application for DVDs of the movie - which is based on the life of gay activist Harvey Milk - to be distributed in stores. Principal Censor Leiataua Niuapu Faaui says, "There are rules and guidelines for these things." But the move has prompted outrage, with leading Samoan human rights activist Ken Moala angrily questioning the decision. He say, "I do not think it should be banned. It is basically a documentary about the human endeavour to conquer something that people tend to discriminate against. "It's really harmless, I don't know how it would affect Samoan lifestyle. It is totally different and not applicable to here, it is pretty tame really. Some of the movies that have been here are violent and horrific. When it comes to documentaries like this, I think it is all about the human story as opposed to the slaughter that goes on in some of these movies." Penn won an Academy Award in February (09) for his portrayal of Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California.
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I would not drink Sean Penn milk.
Actually, I'm not too surprised the Samoans have banned this film. Generally speaking Samoans are deeply religious. They have a unique flavor of Christianity and it permeates nearly all aspects of their lives.
Not that sexual ambiguity is unknown in Samoa. Their society recognizes a transgender concept called Fa'afafine, where a male in a family can assume a female role and be raised and treated as a female -- but that apparently isn't the same thing as choosing to be homosexual.
I went to go see this by accident.
I thought the film was called “MILF”.
jas3
A Hollywood movie that lionizes a gay guy. Man, that’s original.
Samoa's Censorship Board has rejected an application for DVDs of the movie -- which is based on the life of gay activist Harvey Milk -- to be distributed in stores. Principal Censor Leiataua Niuapu Faaui says, "There are rules and guidelines for these things." ...leading Samoan human rights activist Ken Moala angrily questioning the decision... "I do not think it should be banned. It is basically a documentary about the human endeavour to conquer something that people tend to discriminate against. It's really harmless, I don't know how it would affect Samoan lifestyle. It is totally different and not applicable to here, it is pretty tame really."
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