Film censorship has been a contentious subject in China since 1949 when the People’s Republic of China was founded. Since then, films have been subject to a variety of regulations and restrictions due to their potential to influence public opinion. Some films have been outright banned in China, while others have been edited or heavily censored. In this article, we will be looking at five films that were banned in China and why they were banned.
1. The Lego Movie (2014)
The Lego Movie was banned in China due to its perceived promotion of Western values and individualism. The film follows the adventures of an ordinary Lego minifigure named Emmet, who must save the world from the evil Lord Business. The Lego Movie was seen as a threat to the Chinese government’s ideology of collectivism, as the film promotes individualism and non-conformity. The Lego Movie was also seen as being too commercial, as it was seen as promoting the Lego brand.
2. Ten Years (2015)
Ten Years was a Hong Kong anthology film that was released in 2015. The film contains five short films, each of which explores a potential future for Hong Kong in the year 2025. The films depict a dystopian future in which Hong Kong is under the control of the Chinese government. The film was seen as a threat to the Chinese government, as it was seen as promoting ideas of independence and democracy. As a result, Ten Years was banned in China.
3. Wolf Warrior 2 (2017)
Wolf Warrior 2 is an action film about a former Chinese special forces soldier who must save Chinese citizens from African rebels. The film was seen as promoting nationalism and the Chinese government’s foreign policy. The film was also seen as being too commercial, as it was seen as promoting the Wolf Warrior franchise. As a result, Wolf Warrior 2 was banned in China.
4. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015)
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 was the fourth and final installment in the Hunger Games film series. The film follows the main character, Katniss Everdeen, as she leads a rebellion against the oppressive government of the Capitol. The film was seen as promoting Western values and individualism and was seen as a threat to the Chinese government’s ideology of collectivism. As a result, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 was banned in China.
5. Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
Bohemian Rhapsody is a biographical drama about the British rock band Queen and its lead singer, Freddie Mercury. The film was seen as promoting homosexuality, which is seen as taboo in China. The film was also seen as being too commercial, as it was seen as promoting the Queen brand. As a result, Bohemian Rhapsody was banned in China.
In conclusion, the Chinese government has banned a number of films due to their perceived promotion of Western values and individualism, as well as their perceived promotion of homosexuality and their perceived promotion of commercial brands. The films we have discussed in this article are just a few examples of films that have been banned in China.
