China’s government has had it with movies in which protagonists go back in time and fall in love. Such films have become popular lately with Chinese television watchers, leading cultural authorities to scrutinize the trendy entertainment. Li Jingsheng of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television’s Television Director Committee announced on April 1 that the films’ “content and the exaggerated performance style are questionable,” adding: “Many stories are totally made-up and are made to strain for an effect of novelty. The producers and writers are treating the serious history in a frivolous way, which should by no means be encouraged anymore.”

 

Although this may seem to be an April Fool’s joke, spinning the way history is portrayed is serious business to the ruling Communist Party of China, which controls all media in the country. Science-fiction and fantasy are viewed with suspicion by the authorities because they may contain subtle messages that reality in present-day China is not as idyllic as the Party would like it to be perceived. Since the pro-democracy movement began spreading in the Arab world, the Chinese leadership has become nervous and has increased suppression of dissent.

-David Wallechinsky, Noel Brinkerhoff

 

China Bans Time Travel Films and Shows, Citing Disrespect of History (Hollywood Reporter)

China Censors Want to Consign Time Travel Dramas to Past (by Tania Branigan, The Guardian)

No More Time-Travel Drama, Authority Says it Disrespects History (China Hush)