HARVEY WEINSTEIN - WEINSTEIN FORCED TO FIND 'ALTERNATIVE' SHANGHAI

Movie mogul HARVEY WEINSTEIN has been forced to scour southeast Asia for film locations for new movie SHANGHAI - after the Chinese government banned him from shooting in their country. The Chinese government are reported to be wary of filmmakers following Ang Lee's controversial Lust, Caution, which was filmed in China and attracted criticism over its graphic content. Six filming permits are reported to have been retracted as a result, including that of Shanghai. He tells the New York Post's PageSix, "After spending three months in Shanghai doing pre-production, China decided they didn't want us there. They took our permit away." Weinstein, who claims he has good relations with the Chinese government, has gone to Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand, which has played host to the majority of the film's shoot. Mike Medavoy, the film's producer, adds, "We have the greatest respect for China, and 'Shanghai' will look to capture and celebrate this great country."