MAFE denies sabotage claim over Anwar's biopic

SHAH ALAM - The Malaysian Association of Film Exhibitors (MAFE) has denied allegations of sabotage involving the 'Anwar: The Untold Story' biopic by reducing screening times.

In a statement on Tuesday, MAFE said the association has never sidelined any local production but has continued to support the development of the local movie industry.

"We deny these allegations against local film exhibitors that they are refusing to screen movies and preventing them from hitting the collection target for the movie.

"MAFE is also fighting for the growth of the local film industry by supporting local productions, including the film Anwar: The Untold Story," he said.

On Sunday, the production team of the film Anwar: The Untold Story claimed that some cinemas tried to sabotage the screening of the biopic that featured the ups and downs of the struggle of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

It claimed that the cinemas were refusing to screen the movie after its opening weekend.

It also complained that some locations only had four screenings of the movie despite the capacity for 10 times the number of showings.

Despite creating history by becoming the first biopic film to collect RM1 million on the first day of release last Thursday, the collection did not meet the target as the film, produced by Yusrych Global Sdn Bhd and distributed by DMY Creation, did not get screening slots as requested by the public.

Meanwhile, MAFE said, each cinema has been allocated five screening slots for the film.

"Local cinema exhibitors have an average of five screening times for the film Anwar: The Untold Story scheduled for each location, covering 70 percent of locations nationwide.

"More screening slots are available for cinemas located in the city," the statement read.

Anwar: The Untold Story mengisahkan perjuangan dan pengorbanan Anwar menentang amalan rasuah dengan sokongan isterinya.

The 108-minute movie is based on Anwar’s life between 1993 and 1998. He was played by Malaysian actor Farid Kamal, and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah, was played by Indonesian actress Acha Septriasa.

The movie is directed by Viva Westi and has a RM10 million budget, making it the first biopic movie in the country.