An outdoor cinema operator in Hong Kong has canceled screenings of the movie Batman, citing concerns from the government that the film was too violent.
2008 movie show The Dark Knight It was scheduled for October 27 at the Open Grounds venue “at the direction of the Hong Kong Government’s Office of Film, Newspaper and Article Management,” according to a notice sent to ticket holders by organizers on Thursday. Iron Man It will appear instead and refunds are available.
The Hong Kong government recommended canceling the show because “for outdoor screening, the level of violence was not appropriate,” according to an emailed statement from the organizer, Hong Kong-based Greater Bay Media Entertainment, a spokesperson for the organizer. He said such discussions were not unusual and were a normal part of the licensing process.
Hong Kong’s film office said it would not comment on individual film requests.
“Please trust our system,” Kevin Young, secretary for culture, sports and tourism, told reporters Friday when asked about the canceled screening. “We have a very robust system when we look at a movie, whether it’s about rating or whether it’s suitable for showing on certain occasions, we have a system to deal with that.”
The cancellation comes amid concerns about the erosion of free speech in Hong Kong, where the government has cracked down on anti-China rhetoric following large and sometimes violent anti-government protests in 2019. Changes to a film censorship law in 2021 allowed fines to be imposed. Up to HK$1,000,000 ($130,000) and up to three years in prison for anyone watching unapproved content.
The law allows inspectors, without a warrant, to search buildings showing a film to see if it conflicts with the interests of the national security law that Beijing has imposed on the city.
In August, Hong Kong censors banned the award-winning animation that featured a one-second scene depicting protests in 2014. Loss of sight from a long place He said he was pulled from a movie event after they refused to provide an edited version, without specifying what changes the censors wanted.
Warner Bros. has chosen not showing up The Dark Knight On the mainland when it was initially released, Variety reported in 2008. The studio cited “a number of pre-release terms that are attached” and “cultural sensitivities to certain elements of the film”. The film appeared on Hong Kong screens.
The superhero movie featured scenes filmed in the former British colony, including a scene of Batman on a skyscraper at night. One element of the story that may have angered the censors is a corrupt Chinese businessman.
The Hong Kong government said in 2007 that it played a role in helping the Batman crew explore filming locations and secure relevant permits. “I’m sure Batman will raise the profile of Hong Kong and attract more tourists to come here,” Jack Su, chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council, was quoted as saying at the time.
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Originally published at San Jose News Bulletin
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