Good Movies Banned in China

If you’re curious as to what gets the Chinese government all riled up, be sure to check out this list of good movies banned in China. Whether these films speak out about Tibet or promote “superstitions” such as Christianity, they’ve been blacklisted by the Chinese Film Bureau. In some cases, even the directors and stars of the films have been barred from the country. That’s a real shame, as I’ve heard they serve some really good Chinese food over there.

If you really want to defy Chinese officials, you can head over to Netflix and rent these films on DVD or Blu-ray. We do get a small commission for sending you there, and we promise to send a portion of the money to our pal the Dalai Lama.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007) – The third film in the popular Johnny Depp franchise was banned by the People’s Republic of China due to the supposedly bad name that Chow Yun-Fat’s Singaporean pirate character gave to people of Chinese descent. Do people in the modern age really base their opinions on pirate movies? I guess the Chinese Film Bureau thinks so.

Kundun (1997) – Director Martin Scorsese stirred up all kinds of shit in China with this film about the life and writings of the Dalai Lama. In response to perceived Tibetan nationalism, both Scorsese and the film received a ban.

Ben-Hur (1960) – This Charlton Heston epic was never screened in China due to “propaganda of superstitious beliefs, namely Christianity.” Of course, keep in mind that China is notorious for its pirated DVD market (no doubt led by Chow Yun-Fat), so many have already seen it.

Brokeback Mountain (2006) – Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger play two cowboys who become lovers. Is there any doubt why this film got banned in China? Here’s hoping that gay cowboys will one day become all the rage over there.

Borat (2006) – Sasha Baron Cohen’s bizarre look at a foreign journalist coming to America has a little something to offend everyone, but the Chinese took exception to the themes of incest. I guess they thought “The Running of the Jews” was funny.

Seven Years in Tibet (1997) – Based on an novel by Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer (Brad Pitt), the film tells of his friendship with the young Dalai Lama prior to the Chinese invasion in 1950. Banned in China for its views on a free Tibet, actors Pitt and David Thewlis also received a lifetime ban. That’ll teach those dirty Hollywood liberals.

Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2005) – Angelina Jolie returns as female explorer Lara Croft, but Chinese audiences were deprived of her padded breasts thanks to the film’s not-so-flattering depiction of the country.

To Live (1994) – Based on the novel of the same title, the film tells the story of a puppeteer during the Chinese Civil War and The Great Leap Forward. Even though the film co-stars Asian hottie Gong Li, the Chinese State Administration of Radio, Film and Television banned the film for a critical depiction of the Communist government. Director Zhang Yimou was also banned from making films for a period of two years.

Over the Hedge (2006) – This computer animated tale of animals gathering food features the voice talents of Bruce Willis, Steve Carrell, and Garry Shandling. The Chinese were not amused, and the film was banned from theaters due to scenes of animals being killed. Nice to know that Chinese officials are so tender-hearted.

The Departed (2006) – The Chinese already had it in for Martin Scorsese thanks to Kundun, but his cop thriller received a ban thanks to a line suggesting the Chinese were prepared to use nuclear weapons on Taiwan. The ban had little effect, however, and the film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson became the most profitable movie of Scorsese’s career.

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If you enjoyed this list of good movies banned in China, be sure and check out the following:

• Good Chinese Movies for Foreign Film Fans
• Top Communist Movies – Communist Movies List
• Good Movies Banned in Australia
• Good Movies Banned in Malaysia
• Good Movies Banned in the United States
• 10 Good Movies Banned in Canada
• 10 Soccer Movies for Americans

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