Mainland China bans Johnnie To's 'Exiled' from theatres

It's surprising and yet isn't considering what we know and have seen from mainland Chinese movie censors. Johnnie To's Exiled, the eastern western, has been banned from being shown in theatres in mainland China.

A Chinese newspaper reports that Hong Kong director Johnnie To's Exiled, which has gained some very positive reviews from Venice and Toronto, has been banned from being shown at mainland Chinese movie theaters but a DVD release of the crime thriller has been OKed. The report says the Film Bureau, which is in charge of censorship for theatrical release, has concludes the film was too bloody, too violent and the subject (gangs, killers and no cops) was also no good. However, the Office for Video and Audio Products has greenlighted Exiled to be released on DVD and VCD. Both the Bureau and the Office are affiliated to the Ministry of Culture.

Wow. Chalk one up on the stupid files. Is this going to solve anything? Hardly. What's going to happen? More piracy. Cheap DVDs will find their way on shores and anyone who wants to see it will see it. The more you keep something away from someone the stronger their desire will be to see it.

'Sides. The movie effing rocks!

[source]

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