China Bans Release of Taiwan Film|被指獨派藝人 柯宇綸新片中國上映喊卡

Is Politics extending its influence into the entertainment industry? "Missing Johnny," a Taiwanese film starring Lawrence Ko, was originally scheduled to be released in China in April. On Mar. 26, the Chinese distributor however decided to postpone the premiere amid claims that Ko supports Taiwanese independence.

Taiwanese film "Missing Johnny" was nominated for three Golden Horse Awards last year. It was originally scheduled to be released in China on Apr. 13. Recently, however, an online article was published calling out leading actor Lawrence Ko as a supporter of Taiwan independence. The article explained he has spoken out in favor of independence in the past and participated in the Sunflower Student Movement, and urged the public to boycott the film. China's Taiwan Affairs Office also said it will not allow films with performers who support Taiwan independence to be shown in China.

We will not allow films that include Taiwan performers who hold pro-Taiwan independence views and propagate pro-Taiwan independence speech to be shown in China. We will welcome performers who admit to the error and danger of supporting Taiwan independence and subsequently change their ideas and actions. The issue of this film's release in China has already been shelved.

On Mar. 26, the Chinese distributor of the film notified film companies and cinemas that the release of "Missing Johnny" would be postponed. China recently announced 31 incentives for Taiwanese compatriots, including no limit on the number of Taiwan films shown in China. It also promised to relax restrictions on Taiwan staff proportions and reduce the film auditing time. The Mainland Affairs Council says the entertainment industry should be free from politics.

It's clear that they have enacted so-called political restrictions, or perhaps there are unwritten rules for the market. This incident clearly shows the 31 incentives for Taiwan are just lip service and won't actually be carried out.

Meanwhile, local film director Lin Cheng-sheng says it's useless to get angry or criticize, and Taiwan should focus on making good films and working to release them internationally.

The most important thing is to make good films. You can then forget about the Chinese market. If you can make it there, good. If you can't, it doesn't matter, because we make films for the entire world. We don't make films for China. Directors just need to have this resolve.

China has snubbed many entertainers accused of supporting independence in recent years, and the affected includes Crowd Lu and Ruby Lin.