China bans time travel for television

“China has been cracking down on dissent of late, as the recent detainment of artist Ai Weiwei suggests.

But the latest guidance on television programming from the State Administration of Radio Film and Television in China borders on the surreal – or, rather, an attack against the surreal.

New guidelines issued on March 31 discourage plot lines that contain elements of ‘fantasy, time-travel, random compilations of mythical stories, bizarre plots, absurd techniques, even propagating feudal superstitions, fatalism and reincarnation, ambiguous moral lessons, and a lack of positive thinking.’”

China censors want to consign time travel dramas to past

“The Xinmin Evening News, which first reported the story, said the administration was outlawing the genre. But experts said the new guidelines – although they already appear to have reined in producers – were not a ban as such.

‘A warning – it is not an official ban – from Sarft is already strong enough,’ Professor Nie Wei, of the School of Movie and Television Drama Studies, at Shanghai University, said.”

weird. Those guidelines are sufficiently broad to wipe out most films we know. I'd be curious to see their appendix of clear cut morals...

On the other hand, with freedom of belief we protect fraudsters who prey on the vulnerable.

Thora Wrote:weird. Those guidelines are sufficiently broad to wipe out most films we know. I'd be curious to see their appendix of clear cut morals...

On the other hand, with freedom of belief we protect fraudsters who prey on the vulnerable.

Thora Wrote:weird. Those guidelines are sufficiently broad to wipe out most films we know. I'd be curious to see their appendix of clear cut morals...

On the other hand, with freedom of belief we protect fraudsters who prey on the vulnerable.

They fear a revolution. People can be inspired by myths of old heroes, feudal superstitions, fatalism and reincarnation, to fight for their freedom.

Look at the history of Europe and Germany, between 1860 to 1914 for instance. Germany had strong myths, the Nibelungensage, or the Kaiser resting under the Kyffhäuser, rising when his Volk needs him most. The Bildungsbürger, fearing the modern age, and their neighbor state citizens, the thought of a strong Führer, poetry, myths, racial hate, economic crisis, among others things, led to a war for Lebensraum.

In China with a strict government, censorship, the arresting of people with no other guilt than speaking against their leaders, the millions unemployed, those who hunger, only a small spark can lead to chaos and revolution. This is why they want to "ban," or "warn against," movies or television programs, that could have the power to foment people. Lugubrious people, who don't see a future, sitting in front of their television watching heroes who indefatigably fight for freedom, could inspire them to do the same. An individual who has nothing to loose, will fight even to death, if the outcome means freedom.

So, no negative thought is allowed, because this makes way for dangerous ideas in the heads of people. This is what the administration in China is most worried about. And they will do everything to prevent the rise of people from happening. Of course i could be wrong, but, why else should China give out such an advice as this?

Nagareboshi Wrote:Of course i could be wrong, but, why else should China give out such an advice as this?

Maybe China has a grudge against Michael J. Fox...

nest0r Wrote:New guidelines issued on March 31 discourage plot lines that contain elements of ‘fantasy, time-travel, random compilations of mythical stories, bizarre plots, absurd techniques, even propagating feudal superstitions, fatalism and reincarnation, ambiguous moral lessons, and a lack of positive thinking.’”

Wow, that's a lot of things that are banned there. I understand why they would ban things like fantasy, as it could inspire people to rise up because of the common good vs. evil theme in a lot of fantasy, but bizarre plots? Really? I guess any story that's even slightly out of the ordinary could apply, if one stretches the definition of the word "bizarre" far enough, but why "bizarre plots" could inspire people to revolt is something I don't understand...

Chinese SARFT Wrote:近幾個月，全國報備劇目的總體態勢是好的，但我們也發現一些不正確的創作苗頭：個別申報備案的神怪劇和穿越劇，隨意編纂神話故事，情節怪異離奇，手法荒誕，甚至渲染封建迷信、宿命論和輪迴轉世，價值取向含混，缺乏積極的思想意義。 對此，希望各製作機構端正創作思想，要弘揚中華民族優秀傳統文化，努力提高電視劇的思想藝術質量。
另外，近期申報備案公示的涉案劇數量有所回升。 在此提示各製作機構：廣電總局2004年以來有關涉案劇製作和播出的管理要求持續有效，各製作機構在涉案劇創作之初，要審慎考慮市場風險，避免盲目立項投資。

Bokusenou Wrote:but bizarre plots? Really? I guess any story that's even slightly out of the ordinary could apply, if one stretches the definition of the word "bizarre" far enough

No more FLCL, Evangelion, etc. for China. ><

I want a revolt, dammit.

Like television shud be!

This is what they want instead:

Chinese SARFT Wrote:遵照中央精神，為慶祝中國共產黨成立90週年，各級電視臺要積極籌備，努力推出一批生動再現中國革命、建設和改革開放歷史畫卷、真實反映各族人民在黨領導下實現民族偉大復興奮鬥歷程的優秀作品，為建黨90週年獻禮。

In the respectful spirit of the Central government, to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the CCP, channels at each level are to actively prepare and try hard to promote a batch of moving revisits of China's revolutions, founding/reconstruction of the country and its open policy reform in a touching epic historical setting, and to truly reflect how each of China's races/people under the lead of the Party realize a learning process of the ethnicities grandiose/glorious struggle for a renaissance in the form of outstanding products, as a gift given to the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the building of the Party.

I hope my arduous, sincere and humble translation of the fine announcement from the great nation's State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television is appreciated.

nest0r Wrote:New guidelines issued on March 31 discourage plot lines that contain elements of ‘fantasy, time-travel, random compilations of mythical stories, bizarre plots, absurd techniques, even propagating feudal superstitions, fatalism and reincarnation, ambiguous moral lessons, and a lack of positive thinking.’”

Vaste Wrote:This is what they want instead:

Chinese SARFT Wrote:遵照中央精神，為慶祝中國共產黨成立90週年，各級電視臺要積極籌備，努力推出一批生動再現中國革命、建設和改革開放歷史畫卷、真實反映各族人民在黨領導下實現民族偉大復興奮鬥歷程的優秀作品，為建黨90週年獻禮。

In the respectful spirit of the Central government, to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the CCP, channels at each level are to actively prepare and try hard to promote a batch of moving revisits of China's revolutions, founding/reconstruction of the country and its open policy reform in a touching epic historical setting, and to truly reflect how each of China's races/people under the lead of the Party realize a learning process of the ethnicities grandiose/glorious struggle for a renaissance in the form of outstanding products, as a gift given to the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the building of the Party.

Ah, I see. The original programming was too tame. They really want to push the envelope as to how mythical, bizarre and fantastic the plots can be.

They should ban this ban.

It's too bizarre.

Hmm this can only mean that China is closing in on the invention of time travel. Dunno if this is good or bad news...