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The controversy over the film ‘Mulán’, which is about to open in Korea on the 17th, intensifies. Following statements in support of the Chinese police by lead actor Yu Yu-bi, the filming in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, which is suspected of human rights abuse, was revealed and the boycott movement spread. Even in terms of art, criticism is flowing.
The film ‘Mulan’ was a live-action version of the animation ‘Mulan’, which was released in 1998, as well as appearances by major stars in China, including Yoo Yue-bi, Lee Yeon-geol, Gyeonjadan and Gong- he laughed, and received worldwide attention. It was initially scheduled to be released in March, but was released via Disney OTT ‘Disney Plus’ after giving up the theatrical release due to the crown crisis. However, the reaction towards the public of ‘Mulán’ is cold.
◇ Observations “Support to the Hong Kong Police”
It started with comments from Yoo Yeo-bi, who cast the lead actor last year. He said: “I support the Hong Kong police in the controversy that Hong Kong police cracked down on democratization protesters in August last year. I know Hong Kong is ashamed. “From then on, the hashtag ‘BoycottMulan’ to reject Mulan began to spread on social media.
◇ Thank you for the controversial Xinjiang district for the repression of human rights?
When ‘Mulán’ premiered on Disney Plus on the 4th, controversy flared up again. This is because it was revealed that the film was filmed in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, where suspicions of human rights abuse were raised. Mulan expressed his gratitude to the public security authorities of Turfan City, Xinjiang Autonomous Region and the Chinese Communist Party’s Xinjiang Propaganda Department in the final credit.
The Uyghur Autonomous Region in Xinjiang is a place under suspicion that the Chinese government runs concentration camps and suppresses the human rights of minorities. The International Association of Scouting Reporters (ICIJ) reported that the Chinese government had been “retraining” around 1 million people in prisons here. The BBC also said, “China is dismissing it as ‘fake news’, but the testimony of camp survivors and leaked documents revealed that the prisoners were jailed, brainwashed and punished.
◇ ‘Boycott Mulan’ Bungee Movement
This fueled the boycott movement. Some netizens were angry and said, “I filmed in Germany and thanked the Nazis.” Netizens from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Thailand participated in the boycott by forming the ‘Milk Tea Alliance’, a popular drink in all three countries. Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong wrote in The Independent magazine: “Mulan is nothing more than a nationalist drama trying to cover the crisis of Uighur Muslims.” He also asked Disney to express its position, saying, “I am concerned that Disney, which provides information, inspiration and enjoyment to people around the world, is consistently working with human rights abusers.”
Christine McCarthy, Walt Disney’s chief financial officer (CFO), explained that “it is common practice to credit film credits with state and local governments that allow the making of films.” “Mulan was filmed mainly in New Zealand and the landscapes were filmed in about 20 locations in China,” he added.
◇ China’s Guidelines to Ban ‘Mulan’ Reports
On the 10th (local time), Reuters reported that “China has imposed a ban on reporting on ‘Mulan’ to major local media companies.” The Chinese government did not give any specific reason for the reporting ban, but officials quoted by Reuters said: “I think it is due to overseas criticism of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.” About half of Chinese cinemas are running due to the corona crisis, and ‘Mulan’ is scheduled to open on more than 40% of screens on the 11th.
◇ “Is the script also censored in China?” “Lack of originality and fun”
Even after disarming all the controversy, it is judged that the original animation was not saved correctly. In addition to removing unique Disney musical elements and advocating for an action movie, the original animation has removed the male lead ‘Lishang’, who falls in love with Mulan. The reason was that the romance with the boss did not coincide with the situation in the era of the ‘Me too movement’. The talking dragon character ‘Mushu’ also said, “It didn’t work for Chinese audiences for a dragon, a symbol of strength and respect, to appear as a stupid helper.” There are criticisms that he only put ‘Mulan’ in a martial arts movie in which Chinese capital was invested.
Criticism is also emerging in terms of integrity. “Sometimes he is adorable and true, but often he is clumsy and lacking in fun,” said the Wall Street Journal. “You may complain that none of the frames are original, but it is an attractive movie.”
Jinette Ng, a Hong Kong-based writer who raised the end credit controversy, said in a contribution to Foreign Policy (FP), an American diplomatic magazine, “It is the result of the meeting of Western screenwriters who have not even properly investigated and they have absorbed the myth of Chinese nationalism. ” Given the reality, it is very likely that the script was also censored by the authorities ”.
