[Archive 2013-05-13] 'Django Unchained' returns to Chinese cinemas

Historical archive — originally published 2013-05-13. This report records what was known on that date. It is not current news; subsequent events may have changed the situation. Wikinews closed in May 2026.

Quentin Tarantino's 2012 film Django Unchained returned yesterday to cinemas in China, after being withdrawn by Chinese film importer China Film Group Corporation a month earlier, for which Xinhua cited "technical reasons".

The film faced a suspension order by the importer on April 11. China has a strict policy on censoring films, for sex, violence, and political content. Besides nudity and violence, the film has themes of slavery and rebellion.

The 165 minute long film was reportedly cut to 162 minutes, removing scenes containing nudity.

The film's debut was reportedly estimated in April to produce ticket sales of 60 million yuan (US$9.8 million); however an official at Shanghai United Cinema Lines reported sales of roughly 100,000 yuan (US$15,800) over the weekend.

Low sales have been ascribed to various factors such as lack of publicity, few and poorly timed showings, and illegal internet downloads of the film during the near month-long hiatus.

Django Unchained was released December 25, 2012 in the United States, and stars Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Christoph Waltz.

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