Last week Peter Martin told us about rumors that Ang Lee might be working on a less explicit version of his NC-17-rated Lust, Caution for release in China. Now The Hollywood Reporter confirms it's true: Moviegoers in mainland China will see a version with less lust and more caution.(With a film called Lust, Caution, and a story about cutting out the naughty parts, the headlines practically write themselves. I apologize.)
Lee's new film, which won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and is currently showing at Toronto, got its NC-17 rating for the United States a few weeks ago -- a rating he and Focus Features didn't argue with. As Monika Bartyzel reported on Aug. 24, Focus CEO James Schamus said, "When we screened the final cut of this film, we knew we weren't going to change a frame. Every moment up on that screen works and is an integral part of the emotional arc of the characters."
Well, apparently in China, about 30 minutes' worth of moments aren't quite as integral to the characters' emotional arcs. That's how much Lee has cut from the film's 156-minute running time to appease Chinese censors. (There's no rating system in China, so every film has to be generally acceptable for all audiences.) Lee reportedly has done the editing himself to maintain artistic integrity, and he's satisfied with the new version.
Which brings up a question: If the film works just as well when it's 30 minutes shorter and containing less sex and violence, why not release that version in the U.S., too, and avoid the box office death that an NC-17 rating all but ensures? I'm speaking from a purely financial standpoint. Obviously, if cutting stuff out harms the film's message or impact, leave it in and keep the rating. I suspect the film really isn't as good in its shorter form, and that Lee is doing what he has to in order to secure the lucrative Chinese box office. Sometimes you have to make tough decisions like that when art and commerce intersect.
1. - "Lust, Caution" is in Chinese language, the story is taken place in Shanghai, 1940. It is well made by Ang Lee. ALL AGES of people are waiting for its release... no kidding!
- The USA version is better. Lee wanted to reflect how a traitor was and how she wanted to win his heart to set him on a dangerous track.
Both Mr. Yee and Miss Wong had conflicts between duty and relationships. He bought a diamond ring for her, that was the 1st time she was specially treated, she thought he truly loved her. For Mr. Yee, he knew the students' plan in the beginning, because of sex becoming love, he kept things quiet, at the end, duty was number one - he killed the students including the girl. In the original story, he said that she was her woman in life, ghost in dealth (meaning: he did love her!)
- Sexuality is NOT the main point. The story is about the lives of people during wartime: emptiness, lack of love, conflicts between duty and relationship, hatred and the gaps of rich and poor people.
- The girl lost the love of family and the love of Kuang Yu Min (she loved him in school, but only in her heart!) Mrs. Yee was also a victim. Her husband only cared the politics and women, left her alone all the time. Playing Majong games, shopping and gossips with the rich wives are the only ways to spend the time. Students cannot concentrate in schools. Wong sacrificed virgin and life for serving up the nation.
I NEVER understand why the professional people in the Hollywood Report and Variety misjudged the film. I wonder how they handle the jobs?!
Posted at 10:55PM on Sep 12th 2007 by Lisa