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The Inquiry: Why did China ban Spider-Man?

Why did China ban Spider-Man?

02/06/2022 GMT

BBC World Service - The Inquiry, Why did China ban Spider-Man?

How has China’s influence over Hollywood changed the way movies are now made

Chinese censors have always banned movies that threaten their values, however Spider-Man did not seem to challenge this narrative. So why did China ban Spider-Man?

Ever since Hollywood entered the Chinese market in the early '90s, the importance of Chinese audiences was apparent. Over recent years the Chinese market has grown in significance to the point of deciding whether a film is ultimately successful or not. Given the countries importance to the overall profitability of Tinsel Town, it is of little surprise that their censors are able to increasingly demand changes to films that threaten the Chinese narrative. Despite this, the recent Sony/Marvel blockbuster Spider-Man did not appear to challenge Chinese values. 

Tanya Beckett takes a closer at How China’s increasing influence is affecting the movie-making process in Hollywood.
 
Producer: Christopher Blake
Editor: Richard Vadon


(Giant billboard screens advertising Spider-man in Hong Kong, China. Dec 2021. Credit: Budrul Chukrut /Getty Images)

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