BANGKOK – The Free Thai Cinema Movement is attempting a last-ditch effort to convince the country's members of parliament to modify several key articles of the new Thai Film and Video Act. The draft Act is to be debated by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) on Wednesday.

The movement, whose members include internationally well-known movie-makers Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Pen-ek Ratanaruang and Wisit Sasanatieng as well as visual artists, media reform NGOs and the Thai Film Foundation, has submitted an open letter to the sub-committee tasked with debating the draft of the law, which has been written under the recommendation of the Ministry of Culture.

A protest in front of the parliament is also planned on Wednesday morning.

Among the points that vex the Free Thai Cinema, the main concern is in the introduction of a film rating system that gives the state's right to ban films. As it is currently drafted, the new law stipulates that the state can ban films that "impact (Thai) sovereignty, religion, and the monarchy". The movement suggests that the bill should specify the nature and precise definitions of the word "impact" to prevent unfair interpretation of such open wording, especially to independent filmmakers who have little negotiating power.

Another point the movement has suggested is to increase the number of film-makers and industry bizzers on the committee that will be set up to assign ratings. Current plans see most seats occupied by bureaucrats and government-appointed members.

There is a possibility that the new Film Act will get final approval from the NLA as soon as next week. The upcoming general election on December 23 means the military-backed parliament has been rushing to finalize a number of new laws.

© Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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