CHINESE MOVIE AXED OVER CONTENT

Moviemaker FANG LI has blasted Chinese authorities for banning his film for its "unhealthy and inappropriate promotional materials". Producer Li is furious Lost In Beijing - which is set in a massage parlour in Beijing - has been banned, despite already being heavily censored for its sexually explicit content. The film was released in Chinese cinemas on 30 November (07) after scenes showing dirty streets, prostitutes and gambling were removed from the movie. But the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television claims the film still violated regulations. Its producers have been banned from making films in China for two years. Li believes the decision was made following the widespread availability of uncut, pirated versions of the movie which he did not sanction. He says, "Why would I give the movie to pirates and hurt my own movie? We are the victims of piracy. We are the biggest victims." The drama - centred on the rape of a masseuse and her subsequent pregnancy - was screened at the Berlin Film Festival in February 2007. It also won a jury prize at the Bangkok International Film Festival last July (07).