As the film Tanda Putera opens in cinemas today, its production house Pesona Pictures has invited detractors to bury their "phobias" and watch the film for themselves.

"Some have made this film their enemy, judged it and developed a phobia of the title Tanda Putera ... Some have threatened and sworn at us, wanted to burn our office or said we would go to hell.

tanda putera premiere 200813 reception "We hope you all can watch the film in the cinema and that your hearts would be healed of any premature perceptions," it said in a Facebook post last night.

Pesona Pictures said the film's release had missed the "momentum" as it was postponed several times over the past year.

"Whatever promotions we could ruse up in the past two months could not have built the same momentum of patriotism among viewers last year," it said.

As such, it urged all local film enthusiasts to support it in the cinema and to answer for themselves all the questions raised about the controversial film.

Pesona Picture’s message came as the Penang government issued a “request” for cinemas in the state not to screen the film.

However, a copy of a letter issued by the Penang City Council to the cinema uploaded on the Tanda Putera Facebook showed that the council had issued a “directive” to not screen the film.

Controversy over photo of Kit Siang

The film, directed by award winning director Shuhaimi Baba, first courted controversy when it posted a photograph of DAP leader Lim Kit Siang on its official Facebook page.

The picture, posted in an album entitled “Scenes from the film” was captioned as Lim having urinated on a flagpole in front of then Selangor menteri besar Harun Idris' house.

The filmmaker later explained the picture, which was removed from the Facebook page, was actually a contribution by a fan.

Those who have watched the film in private screenings have said that the film includes a scene where a group of Chinese youths urinate on the flag pole during the May 13, 1969 riots.

Shuhaimi reportedly said that Lim was never depicted in the film, and that the film was based on historical documents and witness interviews.

A witness at the scene in 1969, however, said it was impossible for anyone to urinate on the flagpole as it was located inside a heavily guarded compound behind a brick wall.

Related stories

KJ: Hold outdoor screening of Tanda Putera in Penang

Cinemas may lose their licence, warns Shuhaimi

GSC pulls the plug on Tanda Putera in Penang

Confusion over movie 'advisory' letters resolved

Ministry to refer to AG on Penang's Tanda Putera 'ban'

'Truth-seeking M'sians should boycott Tanda Putera'

Activists flay Penang over Tanda Putera 'ban'

Guan Eng: No ban on Tanda Putera, just advisory

Guan Eng, let the people decide for themselves