Fatimah Abu Bakar urges creators to know their limits

Malaysian creators should explore their ideas freely, but they also need to understand where the boundaries lie, according to FINAS deputy chair Fatimah Abu Bakar.

Speaking at a media conference for the Projek Sinema: Pencetus Aspirasi Filem programme at Menara FINAS, Fatimah said both new and established creators should pay closer attention to the sensitivities of their surroundings. “Creators need to know their own limits, what can and cannot be done. We also need to be aware of the situation, space and environment,” she said.

She added that creative freedom depends partly on where a creator is working. At the same time, she said she hoped relevant parties would provide more room for artistic expression, particularly for young screenwriters.

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Creators need to know their own limits, what can and cannot be done. We also need to be aware of the situation, space and environment.

Fatimah made the comments after controversy over the drama series “Madu Atau Racun,” which has prompted public debate because it deals with same-sex relationships. She said it was difficult to establish a boundary that everyone would accept, since people respond differently to sensitive issues.

“Overall, be as creative as you want. But at the same time, we need to be practical, grounded in the reality of where we are, and understand the responsibilities we carry,” she said. She described finding a balance between those demands as difficult.

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Overall, be as creative as you want. But at the same time, we need to be practical, grounded in the reality of where we are, and understand the responsibilities we carry.