Amelia Henderson’s Court Case Sheds Light On Contracts And Exit Clauses

Amelia Henderson was ordered to pay RM90,000 in general compensation and repay the total production costs of RM101,325 with five per cent interest to the company as well.

Photo credit MalayMail

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Actress Amelia Henderson has once again become the talk of the town, with some netizens taking her side.

Over the weekend, Amelia turned heads when news came out that she had been ordered to pay more than RM200,000 in compensation for breaching a contract with drama producer Datuk A. Aida.

According to news reports, Amelia had agreed with the production to act as the main character in a drama series, Sekali Lagi Cinta Kembali, which is an adaptation of a novel written by Anna Milia.

She was sued by the production house after allegedly pulling out at the last minute.

The New Straits Times reported that Amelia was ordered to pay RM90,000 in general compensation and repay the total production costs of RM101,325 with five per cent interest to the company as well.

She was also issued an injunction barring her from repeating or spreading defamatory remarks against the production company and RM18,000 in costs.

When news hit the net, netizens immediately took Amelia’s side, pointing out that the reason she broke the contract was because she refused to act as a rape victim being married to her rapist.

Twitter user @AdawiahAziz said:

I learned that A Aida is producing drama that romanticising rape… Tsk tsk, this is very irresponsible. What does she hope to achieve? Condoning men to rape and indoctrinate women to accept it as an act of love? Total BS #WomensRightsAreHumanRights.
@AdawiahAziz via Twitter

Another Twitter user @TheVenusDarling also shared similar opinions.

From what little I’ve gathered, it’s because the script was changed and she has to play the role of a rape victim who marries her rapist? I’m begging Malaysian script writers to stop writing about this. We actual survivors exist and are telling you that it’s not ok. No more depictions of rape being swept under the rug and ‘made halal’ marriage. That s*** destroys souls. How uncreative do you have to be to repeat this same tired old s***? I feel like people who do this know absolutely nothing of real life anguish and it shows.
@TheVenusDarling via Twitter

Meanwhile, others also argued that this was a good chance for the film industry in Malaysia to read up more on exit clauses to avoid similar situations from recurring.

Twitter user @luxentX said:

Since she (Amelia) is appealing the case, this story ain’t over. Actors need better contracts. Especially one with an exit clause when they have creative differences. This is something FINAS should look into since there is no actor’s guild in Malaysia.
@luxentX via Twitter

He also added that talent contracts are outdated and there is a need to take into account different broadcast platform rights such as merchandising; scheduling (reshoots); payment schedules and penalties for late payment.

Another Twitter user @jillliyana pointed out several points that actors need to address in their film or drama contracts following this drama between Aida and Amelia.

Their list included the following:

Conditional acceptance: Acceptance of the contract will only be absolute once they receive the script in full.
Minimum rest time: 8 hours per day, and maximum shooting time 6 days per week.
Neither party is allowed to change the shooting date without the other party’s approval in writing.
The deposit paid to the actors to book their time pending receiving the script in full is non-refundable.
Any type of harassment shall not be tolerated.

According to the Employment Act 1955, there are several circumstances in which an employee may terminate contract of service, one of which is to give the other party due notice on the intention to terminate.