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China Hasn't OK'd Release of 'Geisha'
2006-01-26
American movie "Memoirs of a Geisha" still: Zhang Ziyi |
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Beijing - Two weeks before its scheduled debut in China, the government still hasn't approved the release of the Hollywood film "Memoirs of a Geisha," a movie executive said Wednesday. The movie's possible delay comes amid speculation that Chinese officials are worried that the sight of ethnic Chinese actresses portraying Japanese geishas may spark a public backlash. "'Memoirs of a Geisha' has not been officially rejected, but it's true that the release may have to be delayed," said Li Chow, general manager for Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International and Sony Pictures Entertainment in China, which is releasing the film in China. Li said in a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press that Chinese authorities still need to sign off on the translation and dubbing of the Steven Spielberg-produced movie, originally slated to hit Chinese theaters Feb. 9. "We are hopeful that the approval will be forthcoming, but at this point that has not yet happened," the executive wrote. In any case, illegal copies of the movie are already available in China, which has come under much criticism for rampant piracy. High-quality "Memoirs" DVDs surfaced in Shanghai weeks ago. The concern about the film's casting choices stirring a public outcry is because many Chinese are still upset about Japanese World War II-era military atrocities in China and the lack of what they feel is a proper apology for them. "Memoirs" features Zhang Ziyi of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" fame as a rising geisha — an entertainer trained in dance, singing and conversation — former Bond girl Michelle Yeoh as her mentor, and "Raise the Red Lantern" star Gong Li as a rival. Adding to the already sensitive nature of "Memoirs," Zhang's character serves a businessman who was a Japanese soldier in occupied China. ___ On the Net: "Memoirs of a Geisha" official Web site: http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/memoirsofageisha/
China unveils plans for Japanese war atrocity film (2006-08-15)China Cancels Release of 'Geisha' (2006-02-01)China Hasn't OK'd Release of 'Geisha' (2006-01-26)Jet Li's new film 'Fearless' to premier in Beijing (2006-01-20)Hollywood's 'Geisha' a delicate issue for China's censors (2006-01-17)
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