Indonesian filmmakers defy clerics over Japanese porn star's visit

(AFP) – Sep 28, 2009

JAKARTA — Filmmakers in Muslim-majority Indonesia on Monday defied condemnation by clerics, saying they would stick to their plans to fly out a top Japanese porn star to act in a local comedy.

Muslim leaders have blasted plans to bring out 23-year-old erotic film megastar Maria Ozawa, popularly known as Miyabi, to play herself in the upcoming film "Menculik Miyabi" (Kidnapping Miyabi).

But Maxima Productions General Manager Adi Sudiadi said the company would stick to its plans to include Ozawa in the film, which tells the story of a group of university students who accidentally kidnap the starlet.

"We guarantee that Miyabi won't be playing in a porn film here, we'll bring her here not as a porn star but purely for a comedy movie," Sudiadi said.

"Miyabi is well-known by Indonesian people... we're expecting that Miyabi will attract a lot of spectators here.

"We're also trying to fix Miyabi's image by showing she can play more than just a porn star," he said, adding that no final agreement had been reached with Ozawa to act in the film.

Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI) Chairman Amidhan slammed the choice of Ozawa -- who has gained notoriety in Japan's burgeoning porn industry thanks to her striking Canadian-Japanese looks -- as a threat to the moral health of the country's youth.

"Even if the film isn't porno, it's very dangerous for our young people, particularly if they become fans of this porn actress and become curious enough to watch her films," he said.

"We have to be firm and not let rubbish into our country. This is about Indonesia's reputation as the world's most populous Muslim country," he said.

Nearly 90 percent of Indonesia's 234 million people are Muslim. Most practise a moderate form of the religion.

Indonesia's parliament earlier this month passed a controversial film law that imposes tighter controls on content, including violence and sex.

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