Wednesday, July 22, 2009

More MIFF/Chinese controversy

China pulls films out of festival

THE Melbourne International Film Festival is reeling after the withdrawal of three Chinese films in what appears to be retaliation for the festival's backing of a documentary about exiled Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer.
Read the full article in The Age


7 comments:

simhanada said...

I thought something like this was what had happened after petitions showed as sold out.

I hope this doesn't affect future MIFF programming. Can we expect to see no more critical docos on Tibet (not that theres been any for a few years) etc?

Paul Martin said...

Yes, it's a bit suss when all screenings of a title go straight to "sold out", by-passing "selling fast" without a whisper.

Toby said...

Fuck China! MIFF is right o make a stand against China and Loach. Who do they think they are? Interfering in a film festival for political gain. China tried to do the same thing years ago with "Kundun" forcing Village who acquired the film to withdraw and luckily it was picked up by an indie distributor where it grossed over $3.5m. The Chinese government and Loach are useless human beings of the lowest common denominator and the world would be a better place without both of them! They are both supporters of terrorist organisations and have no regard for anyone except to push their political agendas. I hope MIFF does not capitulate to either of these mongrels!

Paul Martin said...

Toby, I think China is shooting itself in the foot. As I've said before, the Chinese government is so accustomed to riding rough-shod over its citizens that it doesn't really know how to engage civilly with the world. Kevin Rudd warned China recently - in relation to the Rio Tinto executive being detained in China - that "the world is watching". China's bully-boy response to MIFF doesn't win it any friends.

While I find Loach's attitude 'off', I wouldn't compare him to the Chinese government. I think he is well-meant but misguided.

Unknown said...

Was hardly anything in the festival from China anyway. Only three films from Hong Kong. Chinatown Cinema closed in Melbourne due to their being so few films released.

simhanada said...

I'm abit disappointed MIFF haven't put the news about this on their website. That I can see anyway. Updates seem abit lacking this year.

Why are we hearing about it through the papers significantly before we do the site?

Unknown said...

The ticketing site is still running, the normal site is having some troubles.