"Dark Knight" Won't Play In China

HONG KONG — Batman landed in Hong Kong but that doesn't mean "The Dark Knight" will open all over China.

The movie opened in Hong Kong theaters. But Warner Bros. decided not to release the film in mainland China _ or even submit it for censors' approval _ because of "prerelease conditions" and "cultural sensitivities," the studio said Tuesday.

Warner Bros. officials may have been concerned the film _ particularly scenes shot in Hong Kong, where Batman nabs a gangster _ would offend censors. Hong Kong is a Chinese-ruled former British colony that maintains separate political and economic systems.

Another possible sticking point is a brief appearance by Hong Kong actor-singer Edison Chen, who appeared in lurid photos with several women this year.

Bootleg copies have been available in Chinese markets for months.

Comments

[seaward]

A dark and brooding movie about a doomed and broken criminal played by a doomed and depressed actor from a depressed and broke country? What's not to like?

I suspect they are looking for movies a little more old hollywood or bollywood than this. And they will make them themselves. How about a musical??

Now of course you can argue they shouldn't have "borders" on their cultural influences, but remember this is commie China. Not too liberal about those messages, you know.

We need to find values worth exporting again. In the Bush era we import their labor and export our fears. I think they are sick of U.S.

[GinnyMayer]

It's a sad comment that the Chinese government is still playing by the old rules of trying to "protect" people from things that might "upset" them; in other words, still trying to stifle freedom of speech, even when it is non-political in nature and in no way threatens the regime. China historians note a tension that first emerged in the 1800s between China's would-be modernizers, who wished to adopt Western technologies - as during this period the colonial powers were increasingly carving China up - and the insistence on cultural "purity." Some speculated that you could, in fact, simply adopt the technology while not becoming culturally tainted by exposure to Western ideas, but ultimately things didn't work out that way - as it turned out, you "can't have it both ways." Even so, to make a long story short, fast-forward to 2008 and China is still trying to foil the free flow of ideas while at the same time being integrated into the global economy, and seeking technological growth. It is still trying to "have it both ways," as its growth of Internet use coupled with Internet censorship (and jailing of those who get around it) remind us. Now you can add censorship of The Dark Night to the list.

[rbryanh]

How can the Chinese government be held responsible for censoring a film Warner Bros. hasn't released in China? If the information in the article is accurate, the censorship here is being performed preemptively by Warner Bros., not China.

If you object to Chinese censorship, consider working against the Chinese blockade of the Internet edition of the New York Times. "The Dark Knight" is, after all, just one more tedious, derivative, commercial blockbuster of informational or cultural significant whatsoever.

[MrWampler]

The Japanese have done a pretty good job of adopting Western technologies and ideas, while still remaining wholly Japanese.

[mtaylor90028]

So...is a real journalist actually going to report why it wasn't released in China? This journalist gives me nothing.

[GayIthacan]

mtalor:

Apparently you are unable to read simple English:

" But Warner Bros. decided not to release the film in mainland China _ or even submit it for censors' approval _ because of "prerelease conditions" and "cultural sensitivities," the studio said Tuesday."

I know a lot of the words have 3 or more syllables, but......

[BannedInBoston]

Are there any real journalists left? (In America, anyway....­)

[fightorleave2]

I still want to know why China would ban the movie. The 2 reasons cited above were that some scenes were shot in Hong Kong and an actor in the movie appeared in lurid photos. This is terribly shoddy journalism. There's no there here.

[stringer]

Whatever. It's not like they need China's money.

There is a mini-Dark Knight backlash going on by those who are jealous of the fact Ledger delivered an insanely good performance, people actually liked it, it made money and the director actually put some thought into it. This, too, shall pass.

The Dark Knight is the biggest hit of at least the past 10 years. It was a great movie. Ledger created something magical. If China doesn't want to accept that, it's their loss.

[walleymr]

He did deliver an intense performance. And "intense" barely does it justice.

[MindyM]

I am a little disturbed by this whole idea of mini-Dark Knight backlash. I would think that Heath Ledger's mesmerizing, brilliant, wickedly funny portrayal of the Joker, would be admired and respected. If you see a masterpiece, be it a painting, novel or great acting performance, that is something to celebrate. It's bad enough that he is not here to enjoy the kudos of the critics and the public, but at least he left with a performance for the ages.

Anyone who is incapable of appreciating this mindblowing tour-de-force, is really missing out. I guess it's easier for some to take cheapshots at the movie, just because it was so incredibly successful. What a shame. But the simple fact is that nothing can take away from the genius of Heath Ledger's Joker. It is a performance that will be studied and analyzed for years to come.

As someone who has traditionally loathed the superhero, comic book genre of movies, I find The Dark Knight a welcome change. This movie actually asked its audience to think and didn't provide easy answers to difficult questions posed about good vs. evil, morality, terrorism, and the rules of society. The director did not compromise on his vision. I think it is a masterpiece.

[SeanGardner]

"an insanely good performance"

You hit the nail on the head. His performance was beyond superb.

[zbig]

Considering it's been available in the streets of China as a pirated DVD for ages, I don't think it'll have any 'material' effect.

[Takae]

That's quite true. Along with bad Chinese subtitles. lol!

But since when it's become available on DVD, though? It was all on VCD when I was over there not long ago. :/ I'm so out of loop.

[readmewell22]

Exactly, it will only serve to advance the sales... those teenagers, and median age groups 17 -30 year old in China.....­..........­..........­..... have money, and spend it!!!

[andvoodoo2]

We thoroughly enjoyed the movie and thought Ledger was fabulous!

I don't sympathize with the Chinese because they allow copyright infringement to flourish. I'm sure any Chinese who want to see the film will see it for next to nothing.

[Jasel]

No big loss

[LeftLeanWing]

And the Bootleggers rejoice !

[JailNeoconVicts]

Too bad, because the whole Hong Kong bit was a competely useless and unnecessary subplot. They could have cut it and it would have made no difference to the film.

[StephenJK]

But, but....the­y wanted to show the cool pickup with the plane! The movie wasn't great. Probably not even good. Heath Ledger, OTOH, was effing amazing.