Film Facing Chinese Ban in Berlinale Competition

Questions remain about the fate of Li Yu's Berlinale competition title "Lost in Bejing," an apparently provocative new Chinese film that stars Tony Leung. In a statement, Laurel Films and Films Distribution indicated that the movie was not approved by the censorship film office in China. Director Li Yu and producer Fang Li, in an agreement with worldwide sales company Films Distribution, intend to screen an unedited version of the film at European Film Market screenings, according to a statement, but they added that its unclear whether a censored version will be shown for the film's world premiere in competition on February 16th at the festival. Continuing in a statement, Laurel Films and Films Distribution also indicated, "The issue of the harm of moral values and sex scenes have been the object of the censorship who asked some cuts of the film." The statement added that the companies hopes to reach an agreement in advance of the public showings. [Eugene Hernandez]