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Banned on the Mainland: "The Da Vinci Code"
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posted Friday, 9 June 2006
It looks as if one of 2006's most controversial films is set to follow in the footsteps such memorable productions as “Memoirs of a Geisha” and “Seven Years in Tibet”, by becoming one of the myriad of films and books to be “Banned on the Mainland”.
In an unusual move, Beijing has, this week, sent out an official order to theatres, ordering them to cease screening the controversial film "The Da Vinci Code", and to hand over their master reals to authorized agents post haste.
| "All copies [of the Da Vinci Code] have been retrieved. We have not been told of the reason" Official, Shanghai Film Art Center. |
The order, which took effect on 9 June, came as a complete surprise to many theatre owners, and came without any official explanation.
Unusual Disappearances?
Although it is common common for both domestic and foreign films to be banned in China for 'political reasons', this weeks banning of “Da Vinci” has created a particular stir among China watchers because the films had previously been granted it permission to be screened.
The issue is made all the more perplexing, by the fact that the film wasn't new to China. Indeed, it had been on general release for three weeks.
The banning is also made all the more unusual by the fact that “Da Vinci” passed through state censors without a single scene being cut. A feat which it did not achieve in many more liberal countries.
The Film That Did Not Exist?
In addition to ordering the film to be removed from theatres, Beijing also issued a compulsory banning notice prohibiting media groups from acknowledging the existence in any film in any way, shape or forms. Effectively erasing the film from existence in China except outside of press releases distributed by Xinhua, China's state controlled media agency..
| "The notice ordered us not to comment, discuss the film or even mention the name of the movie in any form in print" Media Spokesperson, China |
Such action is standard practice in China, which commonly acts to ensure that anything that is banned films cannot be discussed.
Often this is to prevent the issues raised in a banned production from being discussed, or to prevent the reasons/legitimacy of their banning being debated.
At this point, it remains unclear how far the ban will extend, and whether it will apply to existing postings Chinese language message board. It also remains unclear whether the ban will be permanent, or if it is in relation to a transitory.
Conspiracy?
While no formal reason has been issued for the banning of “Da Vinci”, a number of hypothesis have emerged, including suggestions that Beijing might be responding to a call for the films removal that was made by China's state controlled Christian churches.
However China watchers have voiced that it would be 'highly unusual' for the state to act on a request from the church. Usually, the flow of influence run in the opposite direction.
Another idea put forward was that Beijing might have become 'concerned' that “Da Vinci” could cause Chinese to become more interested in the its subject matter, namely Christianity, or that that the conspiratorially nature of the film might inspire Chinese to become more inquisitive about the nature of what they have been told by the government.
Other, more conventional, suggestions have been put forward too. Including that Beijing might have had reservations over the film's depiction of self-torture and 'romantic interludes', in which case a censored version of the film may be released at a later date, or that that the banning order might be in relation to a disagreement over copyright fees or distribution rights.
As yet, little firm evidence exists to support any of these ideas.
The Numbers Game
Before it's banning, “Da Vinci” was expected to bring in between 40 and 60 Million Yuan in ticket sales.
| "The Da Vinci Code," a Hollywood blockbuster adapted from Dan Brown's best-seller, has swept Chinese audience over its opening weekend. Insiders said that box office revenue might have hit nearly 40 million yuan (5 million U.S. dollars) on the Chinese mainland since its release on Friday.” Xinhua English Language Service (22 May 2006). Link |
To date, over 500,000 copies of the book have been sold in China.
View Comments/Add a Comment (2)
1. Chaon left...
Friday, 9 June 2006 2:08 pm
Do you have a source for the Media Spokesperson, China quote?
2. ACB left...
Friday, 9 June 2006 10:42 pm :: http://angrychineseblogger.blog-city.com
I don't have a name, no, I lifted it from a foreign press feed. What they
said though is standard practice in China.