restricted dvd's

[ukdesigner]

Hi all,

I am coming over in the next 6 weeks and was wondering if anybody knows where I can find a list of dvd's that are restricted.

I have quite a comprehensive collection (non porn before anybody mentions) and would like to have them shipped over but would rather not go through all the hassle of them taking them off me if I can leave them here.

Thanks in advance.

[Plavt]

I don't think there is a great problem but apart from the followinng link it might be an idea to write to them;

http://www.customs.gov.sg/leftNav/trav/Transferring+of+Residence+to+Singapore.htm

(see very bottom of page in above link)

[ukdesigner]

lovely.

thanks very much.

[Strong Eagle]

I've yet to hear of anybody moving their household belongings ever have their DVD collection examined, even though they are technically supposed to be "screened" at significant cost.

The reality is two fold. First, Singapore will stop the importation of DVD's by distributors for resale. Second, Singapore is working hard to rid itself of its 'dictator' image. It has been criticized by numerous sources as being too uptight about things like DVD's and my sense is that unless you are bringing in 1000's of DVD's no one will look at them.

Friendly to expats and all that, you know.

[rhino]

My experience of the dvd shipment issue was essentially as Strong Eagle noted in his comment. While I didn't possess a massive collection, I separated those which I considered to be potentially dodgy from those I did not. The dodgy ones I carried in hand luggage on the flight over, and the rest I packed for the Movers. Having said all that my shipment wasn't opened, so nothing went by the censors, and also most of what I thought was dodgy ended up being available here anyway (I was being guided by the Movers who may have been overstating how zealous the authorities are here).

I'm not aware of any list of banned films that exists, but you can check film by film on the Media Development Authority website to see if the film has been banned, or subject to editing, or let through "clean" - http://www.mda.gov.sg/wms.www/resources_film.aspx

I think the basic rule of thumb is that anything which has nudity, explicit sex, is deemed to promote gay lifestyles or has / promotes drug use would be subject to editing by the censors, or banned. By way of example you won't be seeing Shortbus or Trainspotting available at HMV in Singapore any time soon!!

[ukdesigner]

maybe i should leave trainspotting here then along with a few others that might be considered 'extreme' by the censors.

I have a few british gangster type films that aren't overly violent but there's more swearing that normal words!!!

Maybe I'll just box the ones I know won't be a problem. Better to take the easy route and still have them rather than having them confiscated.

Thanks for the help guys. Now I know why people call you the wise ones!!

Oh and I know that I am going off topic here but I was anticipating slumming it for 10 days in a hostel to get the vibe off the place. What's my chances of finding a place and moving in within that time frame - realistic or unrealistic? I'm looking to share a place rather than get a whole condo on my own... my feel a bit lonely By the way I will NOT be working in that time so can visit as many places without nagging clients!!!

[bigfilsing]

I wouldn;t worry mate. It not as uptight as it seems.

I've ordered banned DVD's from Amazon and they still arrived fine
(Amazon puts the title of the movie clearly visible on the box!!!!)

Some say that if it's addressed to an expat name they dont bother as they know we'll kick up a stink about our right to view material in the privacy of our own homes and as someone posted above they want to move away from the " oppressor" image.

It whens you start selling banned material locally that the problems start.

Porn will get you in trouble whatever you do.

Good lcuk