'Noah' banned in Malaysia

PETALING JAYA: Hollywood’s epic new movie from Paramount Noah, has been banned in Malaysia.

“It does not fulfil one of the guidelines, that the face of a prophet cannot be shown,” Film Censorship Board chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Abdul Hamid said.

Noah, known as Nabi Nuh in Islam, is recognised as one of the 25 prophets of God.

The film, directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Russell Crowe, tells the story of the biblical figure who undertakes the giant task of building an ark in preparation of a great flood.

Indonesia and several Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, have stated that they would not screen the movie.

Paramount said that the film, which has received criticism from church leaders in the United States, was more of a creative rather than a literal adaptation of the story.