DUKUN Back In The News: Will It Ever Be Released?

Malaysian thriller Dukun (Shaman)'s fate still hangs in the balance. The Star Malaysia reports today that Astro Shaw, which produced the film via its subsidiary Karya Anggun, has still not made a final decision on whether to release the film or not. The company sent a fresh new statement to the paper, stating: "In the context of the sensitivities and concerns that have been expressed and in view of the attention received by the film, we have decided to review it in order to ensure that its release will not offend public and private sensitivities."

This is nothing new, for those who have been following the developing controversies surrounding the film. But the question now is, is this self-censorship, since the Censorship Board had already approved the film for general viewing? Keep in mind that this isn't a cheapo production. At the cost of RM2.8 million, this film has a considerable budget by Malaysian standards.

According to the report, the film has attracted attention from Asia, Europe and America. The report also quotes a few unnamed sources and also producer Dominique Hee who has up to now been keeping mum on the issue.

Dukun is reportedly "loosely based" on the real-life case of shaman Mona Fandey who murdered a politician in 1993. The case was one of the most notorious in the country, and it spawned rumours about supernatural goings-on in the prison where she was held before she was hanged.

Read the Star report here

Todd's first entry on Dukun

Initial Twitch report about the controversy