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03-09-2008, 08:09 PM
Mar 9, 2008
BEIJING -- Hard on the heels of a ban on an ad featuring Tang Wei because the actress starred in Ang Lee's erotic "Lust, Caution," China's top regulator, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, has announced a list of censorship criteria underlining a current crackdown on onscreen smut and horror.
The criteria, published on the Sarft website, are aimed at "purifying screen entertainment and creating a more harmonious and 'green' film environment for the public, especially children."
China's censorship system is rigorous but opaque, and while many of the categories are already an open secret, it is unusual to see the criteria spelled out so publicly. Significantly, the list was made available as China's political leaders were gathered in Beijing for the country's annual parliament, the National People's Congress.
Films that depict hardcore sexual activity, rape, prostitution or nudity cannot be produced. "Vulgar dialogue or music and sound effects that had a sexual connotation" are also out.
Any content involving "murder, violence, horror, evil spirits and devils and excessively terrifying scenes, conversations, background music and sound effects" is banned as well.
Also nixed are films that "distort the civilization and history of China or other nations ... or ... tarnish the image of revolutionary leaders, heroes, important historic characters, members of the armed forces, police and judicial bodies."
Other taboo subjects include the reconstruction of crimes or pics that reveal police investigatory techniques. In addition, pics that advocate nihilism, environmental damage, animal abuse or the capture or killing of rare animals are on the censor's list.
An exec for the local film regulator said implementing a film classification system in China would be like legalizing porn, and the country won't do it until the market has been "completely standardized."
BEIJING -- Hard on the heels of a ban on an ad featuring Tang Wei because the actress starred in Ang Lee's erotic "Lust, Caution," China's top regulator, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, has announced a list of censorship criteria underlining a current crackdown on onscreen smut and horror.
The criteria, published on the Sarft website, are aimed at "purifying screen entertainment and creating a more harmonious and 'green' film environment for the public, especially children."
China's censorship system is rigorous but opaque, and while many of the categories are already an open secret, it is unusual to see the criteria spelled out so publicly. Significantly, the list was made available as China's political leaders were gathered in Beijing for the country's annual parliament, the National People's Congress.
Films that depict hardcore sexual activity, rape, prostitution or nudity cannot be produced. "Vulgar dialogue or music and sound effects that had a sexual connotation" are also out.
Any content involving "murder, violence, horror, evil spirits and devils and excessively terrifying scenes, conversations, background music and sound effects" is banned as well.
Also nixed are films that "distort the civilization and history of China or other nations ... or ... tarnish the image of revolutionary leaders, heroes, important historic characters, members of the armed forces, police and judicial bodies."
Other taboo subjects include the reconstruction of crimes or pics that reveal police investigatory techniques. In addition, pics that advocate nihilism, environmental damage, animal abuse or the capture or killing of rare animals are on the censor's list.
An exec for the local film regulator said implementing a film classification system in China would be like legalizing porn, and the country won't do it until the market has been "completely standardized."