Martyn See is a Singaporean filmmaker and the former Executive Secretary of the now defunct Singaporeans for Democracy, a human rights non-governmental organization.
Martyn See | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Filmmaker |
Life and career
editSee has been a feature editor for local Singaporean films, some of which include Mee Pok Man (1995, Eric Khoo), That One No Enough (1999, Jack Neo), I Do I Do (2005, Wen Hui, Jack Neo), Singapore GaGa (2005, Tan Pin Pin), Just Follow Law (2007, Jack Neo), and Money No Enough 2 (2008, Jack Neo).
In 2004, See made the 26-minute documentary film Singapore Rebel, about Chee Soon Juan, the leader of opposition party Singapore Democratic Party (SDP). In March 2005, government movie censors ordered the withdrawal of his film from the Singapore International Film Festival. See was put under police investigation by the Singapore government, and threatened with prosecution under the Films Act, requiring him to surrender his video camera, taped footage of the documentary, and materials related to the production. See could face up to two years in jail or a fine of up to S$100,000.[1][2]
In 2006, See made a new 49 minute documentary entitled Zahari's 17 Years, on Singapore's late ex-political prisoner Said Zahari, who spent a total of 17 years in detention without trial as a result of Operation Coldstore, a covert security operation in Singapore. The film has been banned by the Singapore Government.[3]
On 14 July 2010, the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts banned his latest film, Dr Lim Hock Siew, about Lim Hock Siew's similar plight.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Director withdraws documentary from festival on government "advice"". International Freedom of Expression eXchange. 23 March 2005.
- ^ "Police investigation of filmmaker intensifies; SEAPA urges authorities to end probe and repeal Films Act". 26 September 2005.
- ^ "Singapore bans film about ex-political detainee". Reuters. 10 April 2007.
- ^ "Film on ex-leftist leader Lim Hock Siew banned". Asia News One. 14 July 2010. Archived from the original on 16 July 2010.
External links
edit- Martyn See's blog
- Amnesty International description of Singapore Rebel issue
- Speech Acts – Censorship and Documentary Filmmaking in Singapore
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