China bans censored brothel film

Magrath

China bans censored brothel film

Authorities in China have banned a film set in a Beijing massage parlour that had already been heavily censored for its sexually explicit content.
8 ^% w( S; R1 D* `2 l$ oLost In Beijing was released in Chinese cinemas on 30 November after scenes showing dirty streets, prostitutes and gambling were removed from the movie.

3 q7 H2 S' ]3 T* w& B+ c* }: I0 n# FAccording to the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, however, the film still violated regulations.
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6 \9 u: p: T! i+ U  `4 IIts producers have been banned from making films in China for two years.
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The drama - which involves the rape of a masseuse and her subsequent pregnancy - was screened at the Berlin Film Festival in February 2007.

* d8 m# Z' X  m5 LIt went on to win a jury prize at the Bangkok International Film Festival last July.
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. o' @+ O* C! n* E9 p2 u: Q  R/ {'Inappropriate'
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According to the Chinese authorities, the film broke regulations by using "unhealthy and inappropriate promotional materials" in its marketing.
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( X8 z- D: `: RIts producer, Fang Li, has attributed the decision to the widespread availability of uncut, pirated versions of the movie he did not sanction.

"Why would I give the movie to pirates and hurt my own movie?" he told the Associated Press.

"We are the victims of piracy. We are the biggest victims."

5 M; E  m" d% H2 I1 g" aPreviously, Fang said he had edited the film to remove explicit sex scenes and a side character - a fired foot masseuse who becomes a prostitute.

Scenes set in Tiananmen Square, the site of pro-democracy protests that prompted a bloody military crackdown in 1989, were also removed.
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9 T2 c  H- \& e/ K2 C/ M& [" }The censored version of the movie had already been released legitimately on DVD.