โดย อภิชาติพงศ์ วีระเศรษฐกุล

ร่วมกับไบโอสโคป มูลนิธิหนังไทย สมาคมผู้กำกับ และพันธมิตร

Statement by

Apichatpong Weerasethakul
with Bioscope, the Thai Film Foundation,

Thai Film Director"s Association, and Alliances.

I am saddened by what has happened to my film. However,this is not the venue to try to make SYNDROMES AND A CENTURY shown in Thai theaters. It is not my intention to use this opportunity to promote my work.But, it is time to seriously think about what is going on with our censorship laws, so that the next generation of filmmakers will not face the same problems as us, and so that the Thai audiences can truly achieve a freedom of choice.

It is time we discuss whether all films, before being released, should be seen by the Buddhist council, doctors council, teachers council,labor council, the army, pet lovers group, taxi union, representatives from other foreign countries etc? Or, is it easier to turn our nation into a Fascist state so that we can live in harmony and don"t have to waste time talking about democracy?

The system of the Thai Board of Censors needs to be evaluated. Their members' relevancy and efficiency needs to be questioned, and we should decide whether the laws should be changed.I would like to ask you to reflect on the censorship practices in our country and to provide us with advice at

http://www.petitiononline.com/nocut/petition.html

Later on, this Petition will be submitted to the Thai government.Your support will be a great contribution to our fight for one of our most basic rights - that of freedom.I am grateful for your time and your participation.