China Bans Hollywood Movies to Protect its Film Industry
December 7, 2007 | 12:10 pm | by t-blender |Rate It:
the independent: China has banned Hollywood films, at least until February and possibly until May, over a trade row with the United States and because American movies are proving too successful and hitting box office for local films. Chinese authorities are also said to be miffed over the US’s continued arms sales to Taiwan.
Hollywood movies are submitted to the all-powerful Sarft (State Administration of Radio Film & Television), China’s main film bureau and censor, before approval.
The ban, which is the toughest clampdown on foreign movies since they were allowed back into the country, began last Saturday and will continue until the end of February at least, and some sources say it could continue until May. Crucially, the Asian and Chinese arms of the major studios have not been given any release slots in the first two months of 2008.
The row comes against the background of deteriorating relations between China and the West, which were highlighted by an aggressive speech by the EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson criticising Chinese trade practices.
Call me cynical, but I think this ban has a hell of a lot more to with the U.S. selling arms to Taiwan than it does Hollywood films crashing the Chinese box office.
Just a hunch.
On the other hand, who gives a crap if they ban Hollywood movies?