China censors delay approval for Cannes contender

Chinese director Lou Ye seems ready to go ahead with the Cannes premiere of his film "Summer Palace" on Wednesday even though he may face reprisals at home because the movie has yet to receive official approval.
Chinese censors on Tuesday refused to review the Palme d'Or contender, alleging flaws with the print, according to Nai An, line producer of "Summer Palace."

The mainland Chinese director's fifth film -- a love story set against the backdrop of social unrest -- could be denied legal exhibition in China if it is screened abroad before it has obtained approval. He could also be blacklisted by the authorities.

"It's not that the Film Bureau rejected our film, but today they refused to look at our print because they say it's blurry and the sound is unclear," Nai said Tuesday.

"Our director is an experienced filmmaker and is upset with the Film Bureau's delay. Now we're trying to figure out what to do," said Nai, who defended the print submitted to the State Administration of Radio Film and Television as "good." A new print will be provided to SARFT as soon as possible, she said.

At Cannes, meanwhile, "There's no question of the film not screening," said Christian Jeune, director of the festival's film department. The picture has its first press screenings Wednesday and its gala presentation Thursday night. Lou plans to be in Cannes to present his film.

If a new print of "Palace" is provided to SARFT, the review committee will work quickly to approve or reject the film's overseas exhibition, said a Film Bureau official who declined to be identified.

China's censors have a long track record of quashing films that do not mesh with the Communist Party line.

Written by Lou and his wife Yin Li with Mei Feng, "Palace" includes racy sex scenes and touches on pivotal historical events that might normally raise a communist censor's eyebrows -- with one key exception. It makes no reference to Tiananmen Square in Beijing, where student democracy activists died at the hands of the Chinese army in 1989.