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US director Oliver Stone laughs as Chinese actress Fan Bingbing speaks during the opening ceremony of the 4th Beijing International Film Festival in Beijing. Photo: Reuters

Chinese director takes on Oliver Stone over his criticism of China’s film industry

A Chinese film director has hit back at American filmmaker Oliver Stone after the Oscar winner accused counterparts in China of not confronting the damaging legacy of the country's past.

Andrea Chen

A Chinese film director has hit back at American filmmaker Oliver Stone after the Oscar winner accused counterparts in China of not confronting the damaging legacy of the country's past.

Ning Hao, best known for his low-budget hit , accused Stone of "finding fault with China" after the director criticised Chinese filmmakers for not being honest when it comes to making films about the country's history.

"Mao Zedong has been lionised in dozens and dozens of Chinese films, but never criticised," Stone told an audience in Beijing during a panel discussion on co-productions between China and Hollywood last week. "It's about time. You've got to make a movie about Mao, about the Cultural Revolution."

Phoenix News reported that in an interview with the state-owned , Ning, whose latest comedy-thriller also fell victim to the country's censorship rules, hit back at Stone, saying China's situation was far more complicated.

"There are always certain subjects that remain sensitive. He was kind of finding fault with China," Ning was quoted as saying. "Will he be all right with it if we start making films about September 11?"

Ning's comments triggered heated discussion on Chinese social media.

Cultural critic Cui Weiping voiced disappointment at Stone's remarks. "The Cultural Revolution and September 11 are both the tragedy of a nation, but the former was a long-lasting war against its own people.

"By comparing a system restricted by censorship to one that is free from censorship, [the director] was taking abnormal as normal," Cui wrote online.

Others, including critic Li Xingwen, faulted both directors.

"Stone was talking like a global policeman whereas Ning was like a servant of the country," Li wrote.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Oliver Stone’s Mao comment stirs up film industry
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