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The Mainland China/Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) promises to be a major boost to Hong Kong, China's struggling production sector. The four-letter acronym may not be heard much around the U.S. motion picture industry these days, but for much of the past year, CEPA has been the buzzword within the Hong Kong film industry. While CEPA has eased the way for access into China's market, filmmakers are still having to wrestle with issues of censorship and cultural sensitivities in producing scripts that will be both acceptable to Chinese mainland authorities as well as to more sophisticated audiences in other parts of Asia. INSET: Censor Sensibility.

Reports the controversies between filmmakers and trade groups over the NC-17 ratings of theatrical films in the United States. Opposition on plans to add ratings between R and NC-17; Impact of a NC-17 rating on the success of a film; Rules on theater admittance for NC-17 rated film.

The film censorship guidelines were the latest step in the implementation of Hong Kong's repressive new national security law, which Beijing imposed in 2020 to crush the pro-democracy movement that roiled the city throughout 2019. THE REPORT In early June, UTA began shopping a red- hot documentary project based on Chris Fenton's 2020 book Feeding the Dragon: Inside the Trillion Dollar Dilemma Facing Hollywood, the NBA, & American Business, with Oscar winner Alex Gibney producing and Emmy nominee Gabe Polsky writing and directing. Hong Kong's New Film Censorship May Force Hollywood "to Make Difficult Decisions". [Extracted from the article]

The article presents information on how actress Elizabeth Taylor violated the Production Code, the tough guidelines that dictated the American movies since 1934. Taylor's acting ability to convey intensity, particularly sexual intensity, is stated to have helped several courageous directors to violate the Code.

The article reports about the efforts made by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to stop indecency in Canadian films and television shows. Information is given that CRTC has decided to impose fines for broadcast indecency. Also under consideration in the Canadian Parliament is Bill C-10, which seeks to censor domestic films and TV shows through tax policies.

The article reports that the Canadian government has proposed amendments to the federal Income Tax Act that could deny tax credits to film and television productions considered offensive by a committee of bureaucrats. It is stated that the censorship plan outlined in Bill C-10, which is before the Parliament for amendment, would enable the federal heritage minister to reject federal financing for film or TV productions deemed contrary to public policy.

The article reports on the censorship program implemented by State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) for primetime television programs in Beijing, China. The censorship program will restrict the primetime dramas and limit satellite stations that air shows which paint positive light in the country. This will make sound environment and condition for television series production to ensure quality and follows proper etiquette.

The article reports on the controversial issues that axe the reality show " Celebrity Big Brother" in London. Channel 4 chairman Luke Johnson will mount the program into editorial review comply the media regular instead of pulling the show and apologized for the offense done by the show. He also denies that the show triggers an important debate and assures that the channel will continue to fulfill its remit in searching important social issues and lessons.

The article reports that Australia's censorship agency the Office of Film and Literature Classification claims to be a world first, films, videos and computer games being marketed and sold in Australia will from now on carry the same classification markings. The new system, sanctioned through legislation by federal and state governments, replaces two codes previously applied separately to games and films and videos. The new system will offer six color-coded classifications. The move will affect primarily distributors and exhibitors.

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) said in January 2004 that it has relaxed rules that prevent different versions of movies from being released in Great Britain on video and DVD. The censor said it is changing the policy that has barred the release of different versions of videos and DVDs if they are not rated for the same age group as the film's theatrical release. The BBFC has noted that, with the advent of the DVD, there has been a growing trend toward the release of alternative versions or "director's cuts" of movies.

A big political shift toward nationalists and parties loyal to Russian President Vladimir Putin in parliamentary elections Sunday could herald restrictions on Hollywood movies and usher in an era self-censorship, some in the film industry here warned Monday. Cinema Without Borders distribution chief Sam Klebanov said he fears that the nationalist slant could lead to "self censorship," meaning that industry executives may tailor their behavior in anticipation of negative moves by the new parliament.

Singapore's film distributors have been given the go ahead by the country's film censors to screen two versions of films under different classification categories. The dual ratings system, which took effect last week, is the first of a series of guidelines to come out of a review of Singapore's Board of Film Censors by the Media Development Authority, the government agency that oversees all of the country's government-related media activities. The film distributors will now have greater flexibility to serve different market segments. Under the plan, distributors and exhibitors will be allowed to advertise the second run versions once the first releases have finished, and the ratings have to be indicated prominently on all publicity material. The plan is one of various recommendations within Singapore's film censorship office to be implemented over time, the biggest of which is an entirely new film classification system, due to be introduced next year.

Despite considerable public and industry excitement, the 50th Sydney International Film Festival will not be granted an exemption to screen controversial U.S. film "Ken Park," after it was denied classification by censorship authorities the previous week. With the film due to screen to festival audiences, festival organizers said that any protest screening of the film would be "counterproductive" for the festival in the long term. Instead, the festival has programmed screenings of this year's Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize winner, "American Splendor," while it is also set to stage a public forum on censorship today that will include, via satellite, "Ken Park" co-director Larry Clark. Festival Guidelines, agreed to by state and territory Censorship Ministers, clearly state that films that have been either classified X or RC will not be granted an exemption to be shown at a film festival.

For the first time in 30 years a film selected for the Sydney International Film Festival, 'Ken Park,' co-directed by Larry Clark and Edward Lachman, has been banned by censorship authorities prior to its screening during the two-week event. As the festival unfolded over the week ending June 10, 2003, festival director Gayle Lake told the attendees that a review of the original decision had been upheld by the OFLC's review panel, which cited child sexual abuse and sexualized violence as its key reasons. She also noted that the film has already screened in many festivals around the world, including Venice, Italy last year and that it's set to unspool at the upcoming Wellington and Auckland festivals in New-Zealand, where the OFLC's equivalent has cleared the feature despite its sexual content.

Reports that the British Board of Film Classification, censor board has passed the entry of Gasper Noe's Festival de Cannes in France without cuts and granted it an 18 rating. Controversy surrounding the screening of the films in Cannes; Depiction of violence and sexual assault; Advice sought by the film classification body from a clinical forensic psychiatrist about the rape scene.

Reports on the appointment of chief administrative officer Keith Comrie as financial consultant by the Entertainment Industry Development Corp. (EIDC), a film permitting agency in Los Angeles, California. Reason for the appointment of Comrie at EIDC; Responsibilities held by Comrie at EIDC.

Cites changes in the censorship of motion pictures in Mexico. Release of the motion picture 'El Crimen del Padre Amaro'; Criticism of film makers on the political system of the country; List of motion pictures produced addressing the cultural and political climate of Mexico.

Reports on the reversal of the decision by censorship authorities in Australia to ban the French film `Romance,' after the film was given an `R 18+' classification and a consumer warning about its `high-level sex scenes.' Filing of an appeal by distributor Potential Films for a reconsideration of the censorship office's original decision to ban the film.

A correction to an article on banning of U.S. films in China published in the previous issue of the journal is presented.

The article reports that producer Ang Lee has edited the original version of his film "Lust, Caution," for Chinese audiences, following the orders of the Chinese censor board. The 1930s-set thriller portrays a sexually explicit relationship between a young female spy and a powerful political figure. A representative for co-producer Edko Films stated that Lee has edited the film for mainland China himself to protect its integrity.

The article reports that cable service has resumed in India after broadcasters accepted a ruling by Mumbai, India's High Court that no films certified "A" by the Central Board of Film Certification will be aired. The order came after Mumbai cable operators blacked out their feeds in protest of police raids that led to the seizure of decoders of various channels showing both foreign and Indian content.

The article presents news related to the global motion picture industry. The State censors in Beijing, China have demanded that the car chases and gun battles in Shanghai be cut from "Mission: Impossible III," a recently released motion picture, before it can screen in China. Ray Winstone, a famous celebrity of England, has signed on as star of the Nick Cave-penned film "Death of a Ladies' Man," which is directed by John Hillcoat. Also, James Schamus, the president of Focus Features, has been promoted to CEO of the NBC Universal specialty film division.

The article presents an analysis of the Chinese film industry in the year 2005. The year 2005 has ended in uncertainties for the Chinese film industry. However, the figures from Communist government regulators showed growth in 2005. 260 domestic films made, up 23% from the 2004 tally and a record 2 billion yuan total domestic box office gross, up from $181 million the previous year. Domestic and imported films and filmmakers were effected by censorship, limited market access and piracy.

This article reports that "Memoirs of a Geisha" will be released on February 9, 2006 in China as one of the first 20 foreign films of 2006 allowed by law to share boxoffice revenue in the world's most populous nation. "Geisha," which had its world premiere on November 29, 2005 in Japan, was approved for nationwide release in China by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, Sony Pictures Releasing International (SARFI) senior executive VP Mark Zucker said. Industry insiders in China said that SARFI's approval of the film, set in the years just before World War II, when Japan had begun its invasion of China, was delayed because censors were debating whether to cut a sexually suggestive scene featuring Ziyi Zhang.

This article presents information on the ratings of several motion pictures issued by the Motion Picture Association of America's Classification and Rating Administration. The motion picture "Getting Played," and "The Work and the Glory: American Zion," are been rated to PG-13 for sexual content and language. The motion pictures "The Animation Show," and "Bubble," are provided with the rating of B for some violent and sexual content.

The article reports that the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television has informed Hong Kong film producers that the authority will no longer allow films with two endings to be released theatrically in China. The Shenyang Daily and the Mainland Chinese Web portal qianlong.com quoted sources as saying the media watchdog will no longer accept film versions that tried to "second-guess its censorship rules." it is believed to be aimed at closing the loophole that has allowed co-productions dealing with such taboo subject matters as superstition, horror, extreme violence and R-rated content.

It seems ironic that, in the land where its subject lived and died two millennia ago, film director Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" has yet to receive an official screening. It's not because the Israeli censors who once banned Martin Scorsese's "The Last Temptation of Christ" for fear of upsetting Christian sensibilities have also looked unfavorably on "Passion." Rather, it is because local distributors, fearful of offending Jewish sensitivities, have declined to pick up the film. The film receives regular screenings at the Cinematheque in the Palestinian Authority town of Ramallah, just a few miles from Jerusalem, and many illegal copies are available in Arab enclaves such as Jaffa and Jerusalem's Old City.

The article focuses on the controversial film "The Reagans." The author raises the question why is the film unacceptable for a free, over-the-air network but OK for one that one has to pay for. Showtime remains the last-chance saloon for controversial, too-hot-to-touch movies that would otherwise never see the light of day. It's the censorship-buster, the final line of defense between artistic expression and moral suppression. Showtime's president of entertainment, Bob Greenblatt, hasn't been in his job very long. It is precisely for times like this that cable, particularly pay cable, fulfills its mandate to be more than simply a slightly racier version of the broadcast mainstream.

After a eight-year ban, Huang Jianzhong's film, 'Dahong Rice Shop,' was scheduled for screening in Beijing, Wuhan and Chengdu in China, but while preparing for its long-awaited premiere. The film didn't get the final release approval from the SARFT. Stressing that the film is for mature adults who can comprehend the deeper meaning behind the “unhealthy scenes,” Huang admits the sensational posters promoting his film are embarrassing. Screenwriter Wang Xingdong, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, even went so far as to submit a proposal for establishing a film rating system to the advisory national united-front organization when it was in session in March 2002. China documents have laws that prohibit violence, sex and drug abuse on TV programs and in film.

Reports on the censorship clearance of the motion picture 'The Touch,' produced by Han Entertainment and starring Michelle Yeoh in China. Release schedule of the motion picture; Distributor of the motion picture.

Focuses on the changes in the rules of the British Board of Film Classification regarding censorship of films. Implications for the entertainment industry; Lesson from the history of the country relevant to repression or censorship; Impact of repression on British writers.

The article reports that the chance of the movie "Crimson Peak" to turn around its ticket sales is getting low due to the China Film Bureau's directive that bans films promote cults or superstition or the so-called "no-ghost protocol."

The article discusses views expressed by Thai film director Apichatpong Weerasethakul regarding local film censorship in Thailand. Topics explored include the personal risks associated with showing his 2015 film "Cemetery of Splendour" in Thailand, the plot and themes of the said film which earned strong audience reviews, and the alleged lack of freedom of Thai film audiences due to the administration of the Thai military government.

The article offers information on the Busan Film Festival in South Korea which despite a censorship conflict over an anti-government documentary celebrate its 20th edition in 2015 with the help of some very powerful friends like actress Meryl Streep. Topics include the trouble for the festival started with festival director Lee Yong-kwan's refusal to cancel the world premiere of documentary film "The Truth Shall Not Sink With Sewol" and actress Kang Soo-Yeon serving as festival co-director.

The article reports that filmmaker Fan Popo has filed a lawsuit against China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) following the removal of his gay rights documentary film "Mama Rainbow" from the streaming video sites. Topics discussed include SARFT's order for 56.com to remove the video, Fan's filing of an information disclosure application and SARFT's use of rules banning pornograohic or obscene material as rationale for banning movies that portray gay stories.

The article reports that the film "Love" directed by Gaspar Noe has been pulled from the program of a festival in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Topics discussed include Russian legislator Vitaly Milonov's opposition to the pornographic scenes in the film, his claim that the film can be studied for scientific purposes but it cannot be openly distributed, and his comparison of the film to the autobiographical manifesto of German leader Adolf Hitler.

The article reports on the decision of AMC Woodlands Square 20, a theater operator in Oldsmar, Florida, not to screen the documentary film "Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief" directed by Alex Gibney. Topics discussed include the film's criticism of Scientology, the spiritual headquarters of the Church of Scientology in Clearwater, Florida, and the screening of the film at AMC Veterans in Tampa, Florida.

An interview with Jonah Greenberg, managing director of Hollywood agency CAA China in Beijing, is presented. He says that he identifies opportunities for CAA's Hollywood clients such as Bruce Willis in "The Bombing," Johnny Knoxville in "Skiptrace" and Keanny Reeves in "Man of Tai Chi." He cites the importance of relationships with people in China to get things done. On censorship, he comments that it takes longer for some films to get through the process.

Reports on various happenings in the sound recording industry as of July 9, 1994. GoodTimes Entertainment's fall release of CD-ROM `Doom II' marketed by subsidiary GT Interactive Software; Prism Entertainment's retooling of its production schedule; Great Britain's `censor circuit' where theaters showing movies that won't be seen in cassette having been inappropriate for U.K. kids.

Reports that Jim Jarmusch's movie `Dead Man' has been banned in Australia due to a scene depicting sexual violence. Comments of Australian chief censor John Dickie on the film; Reactions by distributor Globe Film Co. and critic David Stratton to the ban.

Reports on `Thunderheart' production team's plan to rally support for the US Congress' Film Disclosure Act. Implications of the 24% cut on `Thunderheart'; Need to provide consumer notifications on movie cuts.

Reports that British censors have finally agreed to let `Reservoir Dogs' be released on video in Great Britain. Date of release.

Reports on the Indian government's censorship of Bombay filmmaker Mani Kaul's work `The Cloud Door.' Successful programming of the film in January 1995 at India's International Film Festival in Bombay; Possible difficulties faced by the movie `Erotic Tales' in passing the Indian censors; Critical acclaim for the movie.

The article discusses implications of the thriving Chinese film industry for the U.S. entertainment industry. It describes the box office revenue recorded by the Chinese film sector in the first quarter of 2014 particularly from domestic films, the possible increase in the annual limit established by China on imported films, and the access of the country to foreign films. It also explores topics relating to Chinese film censorship and the appointment of China Film Group head Li Peikang.

The article offers information on the plans of Wang Jianlin, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Dalian Wanda Group Co. Ltd. to end the China's censorship regime in the U.S.

The article discusses movie-ratings system in Hollywood. It specifically refers to reasons why the film The King's Speech" got an R rating while "Blue Valentine" got an NC-17. According to the author, Hollywood ratings system's goal is to inform parents about the content of films. The author says that the ratings reflect how the industry believes a majority of American parents.

The article focuses on the Hong Kong, China, film industry which has recorded a rise in boxoffice grosses and admissions. The total theatrical grosses increased to 128.3 million dollars in 2007 as compared to 121.2 million dollars recorded in 2006. It is stated that the American movies has maintained their stronghold on the local market, with 107 of the 231 films released in 2007 hailing from the U.S. Experts fear that the censorship obstacles in China might create problems for the industry.

Reports on the decision of the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) to amend its rules regarding the censorship of motion picture content. Overview of the regulatory body's restrictions on the depiction of sex and drugs in films; Details of the British films rating system; Efforts of the BBFC to justify its practice of censorship.

Reports that Britain's movie censor, The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), has announced that Warner Home Video may ship `The Exorcist' for the first time in 15 years since it was refused certification under the 1984 Video Recordings Act. Box office sales from the rerelease of the motion picture for its 25th anniversary; Original response to the movie in the United Kingdom.