China blocks Hollywood epic 'Noah' from cinema release
No reason given for denial of US box office smash hit, but religious and economic concerns have been suggested
Chinese authorities have refused to allow the release there of biblical epic Noah, starring Russell Crowe, which has already been banned in several Muslim countries, a source said.
Paramount Pictures tried to secure a release slot for the vast Chinese mainland market by stressing the film’s “environmental message” and special effects, the Los Angeles Times reported.
But getting the Bible-based story past China’s cinematic gatekeepers was difficult, given Beijing’s sensitivities on religious issues, it said.
A source familiar with the issue, who declined to be identified, said simply that the film “will not release in China,” declining any further comment.
The film, which shot to the top of North America’s box office when it was released in March, has been banned in Bahrain, Indonesia, Malaysia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, among other countries.