When it comes to promoting a product, one has to be creative in order to attract potential customers. Unfortunately, many have resorted to cheap publicity stunts and marketing strategies in order to get more attention fast. The more controversial it is, the more people will be curious.
Speaking of controversy, many were disturbed by videos of a group of scare actors performing some kind of ritual in prayer garments (telekung) as a gimmick to promote an upcoming horror movie. Here’s what netizens had to say about the whole thing:
@snhmr
Yesterday (Thursday, 21st December) was the premiere screening of an Indonesian horror movie titled “Sijjin”, a film about a young woman who uses black magic to threaten her cousin’s wife. To commemorate the special occasion, a group of scare actors in white telekung performed a “dark magic ritual” around a “dead body” at a Golden Screen Cinemas outlet in Tropicana Garden Mall.
While it was obvious that it was just a marketing strategy to promote the horror movie from the neighbouring country, many seem to disagree with the performance. Movie reviewer Zhafvlog posted his own video of the performance on his Twitter with a caption that reads, “Should we call JAKIM for something like this?” and netizens responded to the post agreeing that the gimmick was unnecessary.
Many criticised the marketing team saying that using the telekung as part of the “ritual” was disrespectful to the garment since it is worn for prayers. Others said that the performance could bring slander and shame to Islam, fearing how others would perceive the religion and its followers. Some said that they’ve grown tired of seeing the telekung being used in horror movies to scare audience members.
GSC and Suraya Filem have yet to address the issue regarding the controversial performance. What do you think? Was the gimmick too sensitive or were netizens just looking too much into it?
