Kung Fu Panda 2 has become the target of a boycott campaign, its organiser accusing the Hollywood 3D animation blockbuster of brainwashing young Chinese viewers with 'fast-food culture'.
The animated 3D action-comedy, which is set in ancient China and incorporates elements of Chinese culture, is the sequel to the popular 2008 film that earned 180 million yuan (HK$217 million) at mainland box offices, a record for an animated film. The film, which opened on the mainland on May 28, is about a clumsy panda who becomes a kung fu master. Besides the panda, which has become a national emblem, the film showcases other elements of Chinese culture, including fireworks, lion dancing and shadow play.
The backers of the boycott argue that it is time for the mainland's movie industry and audiences to realise films like Kung Fu Panda 2 are part of a cultural war with America, and that US films have become too dominant on the mainland- leading to domestic filmmakers seeking quick profits.
But some cultural critics see these arguments and the boycott as a product of nationalism and feelings of inferiority.
Beijing-based artist Zhao Bandi, who frequently uses panda themes in his works, is behind the campaign to convince film-goers to boycott the DreamWorks movie. He bought ads in two popular newspapers, The Beijing News on May 16 and The Southern Metropolis News, in Guangzhou, on May 23. The slogan of the second advert was 'I won't see Kung Fu Panda 2. How about you?'
'The goal is to stop it from meeting the 600 million yuan box office expectations,' Zhao said. 'I'm confident of achieving that.'
Kung Fu Panda 2 earned more than 340 million yuan in the first nine days of screening.