ST Life! Censors pass controversial film

March 18, 2008 Censors pass controversial film

A DOCUMENTARY about lesbians has been cleared by the Board of Film Censors to screen in next month's 21st Singapore International Film Festival. Directed by Lim Mayling, Women Who Love Women: Conversations In Singapore has been given an R21 rating with no cuts. It will be screened twice at Sinema@Old School on April 5, at 7pm and 9.15pm.The 65-minute documentary revolves around three Singaporean women - Amanda Lee, 24, an undergraduate at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia; Sabrina Renee Chong, 40, a photographer; and Gea Swee Jean, 24, who works in business and IT marketing - talking candidly about their lives and loves. The film was submitted to the censors on Jan 10 and was given the seal of approval last Wednesday. Producer Ngiam Su-Lin tells Life!: 'It is heartening and encouraging that alternative voices in Singapore are beginning to get heard, and we hope that audiences for the documentary will be diverse and not just primarily the lesbian and gay communities. 'We would be very happy if the documentary manages to create dialogue about the issues raised as well as a deeper understanding of some experiences of growing up lesbian in Singapore.' The Singapore International Film Festival runs from April 4 to 14. For ticketing details and programme schedule, visit www.filmfest.org.sg