Take a look and Chinese video streaming sites and you'll notice something about the international films. Sites like Sohu and Youku feature many big budget Hollywood movies from the past several decades. Nearly all of movies from foreign countries violate China's mysterious film code in some way, such as containing strong violence, nudity, or cursing. So why do some films get passed the censors while others are kept out. These films always convey a message that reinforces party doctrine or portray their respective country of origin in a negative light. Basically they serve as unintentional propaganda.
Many of the films, documentaries, and television shows produced in the United States and elsewhere get used in China as propaganda. Some examine social and economic problems in the United States. Shows like House of Cards have become very popular with the well-educated in China due to their high production value and their discussion of topics taboo in China. Of course having a show in China that focused on lying and cheating by government officials would never see the light of day. The effect of these shows/films is threefold. They make US officials look corrupt and incompetent. The films and shows make the United States seem unsafe. And finally they make the US seem unstable.
The importation of these forms of entertainment due result in some uncomfortable questions for the CPC regarding why China censors its domestic entertainment so rigorously, but doesn't seem to care what's imported into the country. A big controversy arose a few months ago when a drama set in the Forbidden City needed to have scenes of some cleavage removed. That's right, they cut cleavage, but a foreign film with countless deaths will usually make it through the censors as long as the message fits the mold or part of the production is in some way linked to China.
People in China clamor over themselves to pack into movie theaters and see American blockbusters. Most non-animated movies aren't translated, forcing the audiences to read subtitles. Despite the subtitles, people still come in droves. Of the 10 highest grossing films in China, 6 are American blockbusters released in the last 8 years. After living here for two years, I can't blame Chinese audiences for flocking to foreign films, American films in particular. American blockbuster, with their plethora of explosions, mean that audiences don't need to understand every word of the dialogue to follow the plot.
You have three main choices when choosing a Chinese television show or movie; fighting the Japanese, fighting the Nationalists, or a new retelling of Journey to the West.
Many of the films, documentaries, and television shows produced in the United States and elsewhere get used in China as propaganda. Some examine social and economic problems in the United States. Shows like House of Cards have become very popular with the well-educated in China due to their high production value and their discussion of topics taboo in China. Of course having a show in China that focused on lying and cheating by government officials would never see the light of day. The effect of these shows/films is threefold. They make US officials look corrupt and incompetent. The films and shows make the United States seem unsafe. And finally they make the US seem unstable.
The importation of these forms of entertainment due result in some uncomfortable questions for the CPC regarding why China censors its domestic entertainment so rigorously, but doesn't seem to care what's imported into the country. A big controversy arose a few months ago when a drama set in the Forbidden City needed to have scenes of some cleavage removed. That's right, they cut cleavage, but a foreign film with countless deaths will usually make it through the censors as long as the message fits the mold or part of the production is in some way linked to China.
People in China clamor over themselves to pack into movie theaters and see American blockbusters. Most non-animated movies aren't translated, forcing the audiences to read subtitles. Despite the subtitles, people still come in droves. Of the 10 highest grossing films in China, 6 are American blockbusters released in the last 8 years. After living here for two years, I can't blame Chinese audiences for flocking to foreign films, American films in particular. American blockbuster, with their plethora of explosions, mean that audiences don't need to understand every word of the dialogue to follow the plot.
You have three main choices when choosing a Chinese television show or movie; fighting the Japanese, fighting the Nationalists, or a new retelling of Journey to the West.
