Words & Phrases 词汇与词组 - Caustic over censorship

The Grave Robber's Chronicles, a thriller about grave robbers and their adventures is reportedly being made into film. But there are doubts over whether the film version will stay true to the novel, as it raises many red flags for censorship with its zombies and ghost-like figures. Some suggest that to avoid a clash with the film censorship ordinance, the movie will need to edit itself.

Censorship in films requires directors to skirt around sensitive subjects and make reconciliations. Many Chinese film directors think strict censorship limits the options of filmmakers and burdens young directors. Some movies that fail to make it through win praise from audiences and film critics, with netizens joking that being banned is sort of an honor for films in China.

Zhao Baohua, a member of the censorship board of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT), once said that the majority of censored films are trash. "[Such] films stray away from mainstream values and the market," he said.

Though censorship has seemingly relaxed with the release of recent films on sensitive topics, many saw the 3D version of Titanic a step back, as the nudity scene was cut.

The censorship ordinance

In China, a film goes through a series of examinations before obtaining permission to be shot and produced. The censorship system originated in 1953.

"The system is decided by the structure of social politics, the level of cultural development and the maturity of society," said Yin Hong, director of the Center for Film and Television Studies at Tsinghua University.

In 1993, a temporary provision listed eight types of prohibited content. The prohibited content, unchanged for over 20 years, include things that will endanger the country's unification, sovereignty and territory, reveal state secrets, advocate superstition, disturb social order, and so on.

Three years later, the official Film Censorship Ordinance took effect. In 2002, a new version of Film Censorship Ordinance with revisions was issued. After 2003, a few adjustments were made. The rules for shooting a movie were lowered. In the past, filmmakers had to get a film number, which was rather limited and then submit a complete script to get a film approved. Now, they submit an application with a 1,000 word outline of the story.

In 2010, the SARFT, transferred their power of initial examination to the lower provincial level departments, who can decide whether a film can be shot.

According to Liu Yanwei, an employee of SARFT, this is a positive step. "Radio and television departments at provincial level have more power and can shorten the time of examination," Liu said.

Opaque standards

When a film is finished, the examination board organized by the SARFT inspects the product. The board's 36 members are composed of officials from different departments and scholars from various universities and institutes and film directors.

A film producer submits an application of examination to the film bureau, and the board mark the film with suggestions for revisions. The producer re-submits after modification, and if all goes well, the product gets the approval stamp.

"As long as the film doesn't attack the Party, advocate pornography and violence, or promote gangs, it will be approved," said Zheng Dongtian, a professor at Beijing Film Academy and a member of the board, "Films with too much sex and bloodiness need revisions."

Though the board follows the Film Censorship Ordinance, opinions often differ, resulting in inconsistencies. Sex and bloodiness generally raise red flags. Ang Lee's Lust, Caution, which was R-rated (under 17 not admitted without a parent) in the US for its bold sex scenes, was released in China after the sex scenes were cut.

Zhang Yimou's Curse of the Golden Flower ignited debate among the censors with its bloodiness and nudity. In the end, the film was approved without any modifications, though it was defined as restricted level in the US.

Baffled by the inconsistency, many producers and directors face confusion and are concerned about passing the censorship check rather than creating quality works. Other films that are not obviously risqué fail to get through, such as Ning Hao's No Man Land.

"It is important to use law to guarantee the examination procedure, so that it will not depend on the personal taste of officials," Yin said.

Rating system

At a conference for the reform of cultural system last year, director Feng Xiaogang appealed for a more relaxed policy. Many called for transparent examination process alongside a rating system.

Before the censorship ordinance, China used a rating system. In 1989, the SARFT issued a notice about the ratings of films, stipulating that movies with scenes of rape, theft, drug use, violence and sex were not appropriate for children under 16. The official statement said that the trial period of the rating system was one year.

For various reasons, the system ended in 2010, followed by the film censorship ordinance for 20 years.

It was not until 2009 when the SARFT submitted a draft to improve the film industry to the State Council that people suggested a rating system.

Accroding to Zheng, if the draft is approved, there will be at least two ratings for films.

For Yin, a rating system boosts freedom for films and shelter children from inappropriate material. But he said that since some regard a rating system as giving the green light to pornography and violence, it will not be easy to push the agenda forward. "Sometimes it is the feedback from society that influences the censorship of films. If we want a mature censorship system, we need to create a tolerant society," Yin said.

Chinese you need:
Thriller：惊悚片 (jīng sǒng piàn)
Censorship：审查 (shěn chá)
Skirt：绕开 (rào kāi)
Examination：检查 (jiǎn chá)
Prohibit：禁止 (jìn zhǐ)
Unification：统一 (tǒng yī)
Adjustment：调整 (tiáo zhěng)
Application：申请 (shēn qǐng)
Modification：修改 (xiū gǎi)Pomography：色情 (sè qíng)
Ignite：引发 (yǐn fā)
Reform：改革 (gǎi gé)
Transparent：透明的 (tòu míng den)
Rating：评级 (píng jí)
Ordinance：条例 (tiáo lì)