In a statement titled "Reassertion of Censorship Guidelines" and dated March 7, SARFT said that, on Monday, it informed all major film and broadcast entities and governing bodies that it was renewing prohibitions on "lewd and pornographic content" and content that "show promiscuous acts, rape, prostitution, sexual intercourse, sexual perversity, masturbation and male/female sexual organs and other private parts." However, the public notice, posted on SARFT’s Web site, did not specifically mention "Lust" or Tang.
In addition, all awards shows in China were advised to exclude Tang and the producers of "Lust, Caution" from their list of guests, while discussions about the film and Tang on online forums were deleted, Hong Kong newspaper Oriental Daily reported.
A spokesperson for the Asian Film Awards, where Tang was announced Friday as a presenter, said in an interview that the event had no knowledge of any ban and had not been contacted by Tang’s management. The awards are set for March 17 in Hong Kong. It was not clear whether the ban would extend to awards shows in Hong Kong.
The announcement comes during the annual meeting of China’s highest legislative body, the National People’s Congress, in Beijing. The yearly event is an occasion for a shuffling of government positions and the introduction or renewal of regulations and policies. The NPC concludes March 18.
"Lust," Lee’s artsy thriller, reportedly upset China’s central government, where top officials were said to have criticized the film’s content as "glorification of traitors and insulting to patriots." SARFT reportedly was singled out in the censure for permitting the film to be released in China last year, even after seven minutes of graphic sex scenes were cut from the film’s theatrical release.
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米 蘭 . 昆 德 拉 : 「 人 民 與 強 權 的 鬥 爭 , 即 記 憶 與 遺 忘 的 鬥 爭 。 」