Three cinemas relent after protest by Sri Lankan Tamil groups
Faced with protests and threats of disruption by Sri Lankan Tamil groups, three major cinema companies in the U.K. have decided not to screen Madras Café in their theatres. The political action thriller directed by Shoojit Sircar — and set in the background of the civil war in Sri Lanka in the 1990s — was to have opened in the U.K. on August 28, 2013 in theatres owned by Cineworld, Odeon and Vue.
By August 24, protests began outside the head office of these theatres, organised by Sri Lankan Tamil groups led by the Tamil Youth Organisation (U.K.). Carrying placards that said, “Inciting violence is not entertainment,” “Ban Madras Café”, “Ban hate speech”, its members shouted slogans and burnt copies of the film’s posters.
Online campaign
The anti-Madras Café campaign went on the Facebook page of the Tamil Youth Organisation. An online campaign called on Tamils to sign a petition against the film, and to telephone theatres to protest the screenings.
When the cinemas complied with this demand, exultant messages appeared on the page.
Not only did they cave in, the theatres have been surprisingly circumspect in commenting on their decision.
A senior executive from Odeon, in response to a question from The Hindu, merely said her company “does not wish to cause any offence to any local community groups and hence took the decision.”
A Cineworld spokesperson was equally guarded. “Our policy is to show a wide range of films to different audiences. However, following customer feedback and after working with the film distributors, we have decided not to show Madras Café.”
15+ rating
The British Board of Film Certification had cleared the film, giving it a 15+ rating because of some violent scenes.
“We have no say in the matter of cancellation of a screening,” said a BBFC spokesperson. “That depends upon the theatre or the local council concerned that gives the licence to the cinema.”
The Public Order Act 1986 could have been invoked by the BBFC to stop the film if it was “threatening, abusive or insulting”, or if the intention of the film was to “stir up racial hatred.” Madras Café cleared every hurdle.
Not only did sectional pressure impose an effective ban on the film, the whole issue sank like a stone after that, with not a single South Asian group contesting it.
“It is hard to believe that we are living in a first world country,” said a senior media industry executive who did not want to be named.
“A group of people created a ruckus in front of Cineworld’s offices, and the film is withdrawn! And neither does the U.K. government nor the Indian High Commission intervene.”
Groups well organised
Conversations with South Asian activists suggest that they did not want to get involved because they do not wish to mess with the pro-LTTE Tamil groups, which are well organised and militant.
A leading human rights activist based in London, who too did not want to be named, said: “The pro-LTTE groups here are powerful, their sympathisers are many, and they are very well-funded. And they have been violent with their critics, especially in Europe.”
Tamil extremism is becoming a problem to the entire world!!!
It just shows that the LTTE financiers of death are alive and active in
the West. Even Britain caves in before what Navy Pillay called 'That
murderous organisation'. Why are there no international investigations
into the bank accounts of these people?
How come they allowed the screening of channel4 "No fire Zone" and not allow "Madras café" to be screened . Says a lot about UK media freedom, in the UK . No fire zone was a obnoxious and vile film with dubious footage about the rape violence of the SL army / This films portrays the ruthless LTTE as lily white and greatly misjudged . Where oh where are the human rights activists like Amnesty International or International Crisis or Human rights watch now ???? Where have they gone to protest for this . ? They are not paid enough by the Directors of Madras café for them to protest against this decision . It is the Human rights Gps that rule the world . Their word is taken as gospel by Governments especially the British Parliamentarians .
Is'nt it beautiful what is happening in the(not so)great britain!
Now where the so called human rights bleeding hearts.
What happens to the British publics right to watch what has been approved by BBFC?
What is most amazing is the fear that is expressed by those who spoke and fear to mess with pro LTTE groups whom they claim to be so powerful in a place like London!
OMG what is happening to London!
All the lies that has been propagated through out the past is going to come to nothing and even if it is not the whole truth but atleast another side to it.
Now, who is scared of the truth being exposed by some one who can not be called a paid stooge!!
After Vishwaroopam, now Madras Cafe!Guilty Conscience take them to the street!
It was UK politicians promoted LTTE ideals in the country without knowing the organizing strength they have. Now even in Thamilnadu this film is banned. This seems to be an absolute crime done to free media expressions. All what these international Tamil organizations wants is to exert unnecessary pressure on these government and institutions making use of the money they have earned from these European countries. Now it is the correct time for politicians in these countries to get together discuss and take vital decisions to eradicate this menace from the Europe and the entire world. However, still there are very respected educated Tamils in every European countries who never helped these organizations but quietly watching this agony.
UK's cinema companies have acted more responsibly than their Indian counterparts. When a movie hurts a particular group of people and if they decide to protest then we have to understand than there should be something wrong in the movie but not in the peoples mindset. But the film was screened across India except in TN. Will India accept screening of a film where the IPKF or the Indian Defence forces in Kashmir shown in wrong light? Please, lets try to be one nation and try respect others feelings and lets support or oppose something in one voice and lets not get divided by ignoring others sentiments.
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