Disney CFO Christine McCarthy has addressed the latest controversy involving the live-action adaptation of Mulan in regards to the film’s credits.
The road to get to Mulan has not been an easy one. The film was mired with delays due to the coronavirus pandemic before being released on Disney Plus. Many called for a boycott of the film due to star Liu Yifei’s defense of the Hong Kong police during the city’s protests. Now the film is enduring another controversy due to one of its credits.
The film’s credits specifically thanks the Turpan Municipal Bureau of Public Security. The organization, however, is one that is highly controversial and has been tied to what has been described as oppression and cultural genocide of Uyghur Muslims in the region. During the Bank of America Virtual 2020 Media, Communications, & Entertainment Conference, the Disney CFO address why the credit was there in the first place:
“I’m not a box-office prognosticator, but it has generated a lot of publicity. Let me just put something into context. The real facts are that Mulan was primarily shot — almost in entirety — in New Zealand. In an effort to accurately depict some of the unique landscape and geography of the country of China for this period drama, we filmed scenery in 20 different locations in China. It’s common knowledge that, in order to film in China, you have to be granted permission. That permission comes from the central government.
[It is a common practice] to acknowledge in a film’s credits the national and local governments that allowed you to film there. So, in our credits, it recognized both China and locations in New Zealand. I would just leave it at that, but it has generated a lot of issues for us.”
What do you all make of the film’s credits? Should Disney have credited an organization who such shady practices? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
Disney’s live-action Mulan stars Liu Yifei, Donnie Yen, Yoson An, Gong Li, Jimmy Wong, Tzi Ma, and Jet Li. Here’s the official synopsis:
When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. Masquerading as a man, Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner-strength and embrace her true potential. It is an epic journey that will transform her into an honored warrior and earn her the respect of a grateful nation…and a proud father.
Mulan is now available on Disney Plus. Stay tuned for all the latest news on Mulan and be sure to subscribe to Heroic Hollywood’s YouTube channel for more original video content.
Source: Comicbook.com
