Censorship in Contemporary Chinese Cinematography, with SWPS University’s František Reismüller

Film industry is an important part of the Chinese Cultural and Creative Sectors. In 2024 China produced 612 feature films, with domestic productions generating about 80% of the box office revenue, standing at nearly 6 billion USD. But film is also an important vehicle for narratives and content reaching millions of Chinese.

In this SWPS University podcast, Dr. František Reismüller talks us through the intricate world of the Chinese cinematography, its legal and institutional framework, restricted content, and the practice of getting the script through censorship, production and finally domestic distribution. He discusses how filmmakers work with the regulations, and whether there is any space for social critique in the industry under such strict control. The podcast is hosted by Prof. Marcin Jacoby.

Below is a glossary of the names of institutions, filmmakers and titles of films mentioned in the podcast:

• China Film Administration 国家电影局
• Propaganda Department of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party 中国共产党中央委员会宣传部
• Regulations on the Registration of Film Scripts (Synopses) and the Management of Films 《电影剧本（梗概）备案、电影片管理规定》(2006)
• Film Industry Promotion Law of the People's Republic of China 中华人民共和国电影产业促进法 (2017)
• Regulations on the Administration of Sino-foreign Cooperative Production of Films中外合作摄制电影片管理规定 (2017)
• A Touch of Sin 天注定 (2013), dir. Jia Zhangke 贾樟柯
• Return To Dust 坚如磐石 (2022) – dir. Li Ruijun 李睿珺
• Under the Light 坚如磐石 (2023) - Zhang Yimou 张艺谋
• Summer of Changsha 六欲天 (2019) – dr. Zu Fewng (祖峰)
• One Second 一秒钟 (2020) – dir. Zhang Yimou张艺谋
• Boyhood 少年时代 (unreleased) - dir. Chen Kaige 陈凯歌
• The Eight Hundred 八百 (2020) – dir. Guan Hu 管虎
• Bel Ami (Beautiful Friends) 漂亮朋友 (2024; unreleased in PRC) – dir. Geng Jun 耿军
• An Unfinished Film 一部未完成的电影 (2024; unreleased in PRC) – dir. Lou Ye 娄烨
• My Land 沃土 (2024; unreleased in PRC) – dr. Wang Xiaoshuai 王小帅
• The Old Town Girls兔子暴力 (2021)- dr. Shen Yu 申瑜
• Trending Topic热搜 (2023) – dir. Xin Yukun忻钰坤
• Dying to survive 我不是药神 (2018) – dir. Wen Muye 文牧野 („Chinese version“ of Dallas Buyers Club)
• The Woman in the Storm我经过风暴 (2023) - dri. Qin Haiyan秦海燕
• Johhny keep walking! 年会不能停！(2023) - dir. Dong Runnian 董润年

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