Sen. Ted Cruz is going after China’s control of Hollywood narratives and is set to introduce a bill targeting film studios’ efforts to accommodate the country’s restrictive censors by purposely writing, editing, and producing content that fits with the Communist Chinese Party’s totalitarian ideals.
The legislation Cruz is trying to implement is called “The Stopping Censorship, Restoring Integrity, Protecting Talkies Act” (SCRIPT Act), which would block cooperation between the U.S. Defense Department and any film studios that edit or alter their movies for audiences in China.
They really wanted that acronym/backronym …
The following is Ted Cruz’ statement on the matter:
“For too long, Hollywood has been complicit in China’s censorship and propaganda in the name of bigger profits. The SCRIPT Act will serve as a wake-up call by forcing Hollywood studios to choose between the assistance they need from the American government and the dollars they want from China.”
Chinese content, whether on TV, at the movies or online, is heavily censored in China, but, most especially, American TV and movies, which are heavily embraced by the population. Almost all types of themes are very difficult to process, CCP would ban a finished work no matter how immense the losses may be to investors and producers. The U.S. military has a thorough review process on whether to approve or deny a film’s usage of military equipment and if the movie edits that content. The military doesn't do it for free, but at a cost, so it doesn't rely on taxpayers dollars (supposedly). And it's free advertising for them as well.
Chances are that the MPAA will try to get this bill killed before it even gets a vote. I can think of six states that rely heavily on Hollywood productions that won’t want to piss off the MPAA .
China and Hollywood have had a sleazy relationship these last few years, what with the Xi Jiping regime trying to take over the Hollywood market, and successfully doing so might I add. However, this has resulted in Hollywood studios making concessions in favor of pleasing the Chinese market.
I'm sure you remember a write-up I wrote which had to do with China boycotting Disney’s "Christopher Robin." Memes that were circulating online, comparing the looks of President Xi to Winnie the Pooh's, did not please the Chinese head. John Oliver made fun of the whole thing, which consequentially had China completely erasing Oliver from the internet as well.
The short version: "Woman Unknown" was a compromise. The jury deadlocked over "Possible Love" and "NAZA," not able to com to terms, fell back on their #3, May el-Toukhy's film.