FILM director Amanda Nell Eu has distanced herself from the cut of her feature film “Tiger Stripes” that was released in local cinemas yesterday and which has been submitted to the Oscars in the Best International Feature category.

The film, which was approved by the local censorship board, “is not the film that we made, and it is not the film that won the Grand Prize of Critics Week in Cannes”, she said.

“While I am not here to attack the censorship board, I am here to state the film that will be shown in local cinemas is not the film we made, and it is not the film that won the Grand Prize of Critics Week in Cannes,” Eu said.

“It’s actually been so beautiful to see the buzz and excitement around it (the release). I want to thank all of you for this – ‘Tiger Stripes’ was made with Malaysians as my priority audience; therefore, showing it back home would have been the my most meaningful experience.

“Unfortunately, though, I have to say I do not stand behind the cut that will be shown in local cinemas,” her statement read.

“Tiger Stripes” is the story of a 12-year-old girl who is ostracised by her school friends.

“What has been censored is the very joy of being a young girl in Malaysia. A young girl who is maybe different from the rest, misunderstood, or has the urge to express herself differently from others – a young girl who is innocent and curious about the world around her and fights for her existence in this world.

“Our production company, Ghost Grrrl Pictures’ very ethos is to fight for these voices and to celebrate a safe space for freedom of expression,” she said.

Eu says it saddens her that “this type of girl has to be censored from public view”.

“We wish that we have more freedom to discuss things openly and not quickly condemn and punish each other or have to hide from things that we are afraid of”.

Eu said she and her team will continue to fight against censorship and urged local artists not to self-censor.

“It’s a huge struggle, we know, emotionally and financially… sometimes our safety is also jeopardised.”

Eu, the first female Malaysian filmmaker to to win a Cannes film festival award, said the authorities should not dictate what can and cannot be shown in art.

“We have always believed that the power of art is to open healthy discussion, to hear from diverse voices and stories, and to learn more about each other.

“In our opinion, the safest way to speak out, question and discuss has always been through art. And we believe and respect the Malaysian audience has the maturity to make decisions based on their own critical choices.” – October 20, 2023.