Japan porn star riles clerics

JAKARTA - FILMMAKERS in Indonesia say they would stick to their plans to fly in a top Japanese porn star to act in a local comedy.

Muslim leaders have blasted plans to bring out erotic film megastar Maria Ozawa, 23, popularly known as Miyabi, to play herself in the upcoming film, Menculik Miyabi (Kidnapping Miyabi).

But Maxima Productions general manager Adi Sudiadi said the firm would stick to plans to include Ozawa in the film, which tells the story of a group of university students who accidentally kidnap the starlet.

'We guarantee that Miyabi won't be playing in a porn film here. We will bring her here not as a porn star, but purely for a comedy,' Mr Sudiadi said. 'Miyabi is well-known to Indonesians...We are expecting her to attract a lot of spectators here.

'We are also trying to fix Miyabi's image by showing she can be more than just a porn star,' he said, adding that no final agreement had been reached with Ozawa to act in the film.

Indonesian Council of Ulema chairman Amidhan slammed the choice of Ozawa - who has gained notoriety in Japan's porn industry, thanks to her Canadian-Japanese looks - as a threat to the moral health of the country's youth. 'Even if the film isn't pornographic, it is very dangerous for our young people, particularly if they become fans of this porn actress and become curious enough to watch her films,' he said. 'We have to be firm and not let rubbish into our country. This is about Indonesia's reputation as the world's most populous Muslim country.'

Nearly 90 per cent of Indonesia's 234 million people are Muslim.

Indonesia's Parliament earlier this month passed a controversial film law that imposes tighter controls on content, including violence and sex. -- AFP