BEIJING -- China’s censors have banned the slapstick “Rush
Hour 3" from getting a theatrical release in China.
Given the
popularity of Jackie Chan on the Chinese mainland, it is a shock decision. It follows
weeks of speculation that the pic was proving politically contentious.
The
all-powerful state-run Film Bureau told Variety
that it had withheld permission to screen the pic for commercial reasons – a
surprising justification given the first two installments of the franchise did
boffo B.O. in China.
"'Rush
Hour 3' will not be shown in China.
We think it will not be popular in China," Xiao Ping, a VP at China Film
Group's import and export arm, said Thursday.
Decision
is likely to further stir speculation that problem issue is scene featuring a
Chinese organized crime family that Chan and Chris Tucker's characters take on
during a visit to Paris.
The issue
of organized crime is extremely politically sensitive in China these days,
as greater economic openness has been accompanied by the emergence of
Triad-style gangsters in the big cities.
Explanation
that "Rush Hour 3" faced tough competition for an import slot is also
credible. China
operates a quota system that permits only 20 foreign films per year to be
imported into the country and given a full 'revenue sharing' release.
The pic's Chinese rights holder
Edko Films was not immediately available for comment on Thursday.
Edko topper, Bill Kong previously
told Variety: "The problem is not the Film Bureau,
it is (state-run distributor) China Film. The schedule is very congested and
American films are doing very well around the world this year."
"Rush Hour 3" preemed in Los
Angeles on Tuesday at the Grauman's Chinese Theater and goes on commercial
release in North America on Aug 10. Film will be distributed in Hong Kong on Aug 16 through Celestial Pictures.
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