Mondo China

Controversy at the Hong Kong International Film Festival which is in full swing right now with the shadow of Chinese censorship falling on three movies which have been withdrawn by their producers from the festival pending government approval.

The films are:

* Zhang Yibai's Lost Indulgence, a drama set in Chongqing about a passenger who moves in with the family of a driver after he dies in a car accident.
* Han Yan's Winds of September — The Chinese Mainland Chapter, part of coming-of-age trilogy.
* A Decade of Love, 10 short films, each 10 minutes long, by 10 new Hong Kong directors on the subject of love in Hong Kong.

While the films contain nothing overtly controversial and the Associated Press says no official reasons have been given for the lack of approval, filmmakers are concerned about China's tightening grip on the media in anticipation of the Beijing Olympics in the summer.

Chinese director Lou Ye and producer Nai An were banned from making movies in China for five years after showing their romance, Summer Palace, at the Cannes Festival in 2006 without clearing it with Chinese censors.

Source:CBC News

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