Director Yusry Abd Halim took to YouTube on Thursday to issue public statements in light of the upcoming release of his latest film, Vikingdom. In the video, Halim takes a detailed and comprehensive approach to criticisms and concerns regarding the new film, a Malaysian production written by James Coyne and starring Dominick Purcell, Craig Fairbass, Natassia Malthe, Jon Foo and Conan Stevens, which has already been picked up by Universal Pictures for a multi-territorial release.
With historical and religious issues in mind, Halim points out several quotes from interviews he’s done with many news outlets, largely addressing of the lies, twisted facts and misunderstandings about the film pushed in the Malay press. Toward the end of the video, Halim also explains the obvious difference between his film, and the film to which his own was compared by one of his crtics, The Innocence Of Muslims, an anti-Muslim video which sparked a number of protests in several countries in late 2012.
Now this is me, the editor of this article talking…
After watching this video, I have to commend Halim for taking such an intelligent and reserved approach to the negativity driven toward his movie, which will finally make its way to theaters in North America next month. I also find it difficult to stomach when an online troll forces a dialogue on such a ridiculous issue as a movie that specifically centers itself on a mythological work of fictional and fantasy. Moreover, as a non-practioner of religion, I humbly appreciate and respect those who use their faith to help mankind and not hurt people, and I strongly support them in their endeavors. And I say this in writing so as to not be misconstrued by trolls on the internet who think I hate religious people, but to clarify one simple point for myself and not director Halim, who has already stated his case: Anyone who is dumb enough to take an obvious work of fiction and try to turn it to a critical and serious discussion need a psychological evaluation. And anyone crazy enough to liken this film to something as offensive and upsetting as The Innocence Of Muslims needs a foot up the ass.
I fail to believe anyone in their right mind would factually claim Vikingdom was a freaking biopic. Honestly, look at the damn trailers, and then let me know when Thor lands on Earth with a letter from the officials in Aasgard to demand a retraction of this article, and I’ll be happy to oblige…unless Blond Thor says otherwise.
Vikingdom opens in limited theaters on October 4, 2013.
Watch the whole video for proper context.
