Controversial 'Pulau' trailer a marketing bait - Afdlin Shauki

SHAH ALAM - While a recently released trailer of a local film entitled “Pulau” caused controversies over the cyberspace, a filmmaker reveals that it is merely a marketing bait.

Malaysian actor, producer and director Datuk Afdlin Shauki said he was told by the thriller film producer that the trailer was intentionally released online with no censorship so that it could spark heated reaction.

"It is a promotion in the cheapest way possible so that people talk about the film," he said.

Afdlin who was involved in the industry for decades said the Film Censorship Board (LPF) will not let any offensive content make its way to the screen.

He said he found out from the producer of “Pulau” that most of the alleged steamy scenes were not even in the movie.

He said according to the producer, the trailer was made intentionally to bring it to the world, which was different from the one for local consumption which was handed to the LPF containing none of the sensitive elements.

Afdlin said the trailer that was approved by LPF did not include the sensual scenes.

"The trailer that emerged on social media is different, but perhaps, because they wanted people to talk about the film.

"I think Malay filmmakers would never display such scenes and would not even bother doing any scenes which are extreme.

“Again, there are claims that this is soft porn, this is all to raise conversations within the community so that they talk about the film," he said.

Afdlin pointed out that the fact that the media was making coverage on the issue even amplified the marketing strategy's success.

Describing the movie's publicity as a great success, he highlighted that one way to gain traction on social media was by bringing up an issue.

While many could hardly wait to watch the film to find out if the provocative scenes were in the motion picture, Afdlin had early on hinted that they will not find it anywhere throughout the movie as LPF would not allow its release if there were.

He added that if the film was to be shown with the scenes, it would be rated as 18 and above.

"People had been tricked by the producer's marketing, their bait hit, this is the marketing of this millennium.

“Only the marketing is sensational, but the story, does not dislplay such things,” he said.

Afdlin was of the view that conversations should not be about the scenes, but the marketing strategy.

“Is it (marketing strategy) good? Is this the right way to do marketing?,” he said.

He said currently, anything sensational will give rise to something and people will go and watch the film.

The 52-year old director added that if there was a boycott on “Pulau”, people would be even more curious to know why it was being boycotted and wanted to know what the film was about.

"It's clever marketing. As usual, we thought that they were just doing it blindly, but no, they're not, they want a reaction from us, so if we're invested in it, then we have fallen victim to a smart marketing... it's social media marketing," he said.