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I'm hearing that the People's Republic of China has a really big problem with Phillip Noyce's Salt (Sony, 7.23). Not one of those "scenes must be removed before your film is allowed to play in China" problems, but a "sorry, but no amount of edits will satisfy us" problem. Meaning that Salt is apparently cinema non grata in that country until further notice -- no theatrical bookings, no DVDs, no Blurays.

Which, of course, means a huge opportunity for Chinese video pirates and a huge potential loss for Sony Pictures.

I don't know anything beyond this nugget. What is it about Salt that China finds so objectionable? It's about a possible covert operative (played by Angelina Jolie ) -- a kind of Odd Woman Out whom everyone suspects is some kind of sociopath or double-agent ne'er -do-well, or is dangerously disloyal in some way, shape or form. What her character has to do with China or its policies is a mystery to me. And to others, I gather. The shut-out hasn't been conveyed "officially" but I'm told it's a done deal.

And They're Off<< previous | next >>Reason and Principle

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on June 28, 2010 at 9:23 PM

comment #1

DeeZee says ...

Too "salty" for their tastes, maybe? Someone had to say it.

Posted by DeeZee at June 28, 2010 10:45 PM

comment #2

Circumvrent says ...

No, DeeZee. No one had to say it.

Posted by Circumvrent at June 28, 2010 10:47 PM

comment #3

LexG says ...

Anyone else sensing/fearing that by even posting this, Jeff has unwittingly dropped a massive plot spoiler?

"People for the Ethical Treatment of Schizophrenics have lodged a complaint about the upcoming film FIGHT CLUB. Now, judging by the trailers, what issue could they possibly have with the presentation of split personalities in the movie????"

Posted by LexG at June 28, 2010 10:58 PM

comment #4

dinovelvet says ...

Three consecutive Salt articles? Is anyone really THAT interested in it?

Posted by dinovelvet at June 28, 2010 11:49 PM

comment #5

CitizenKanedForPostingThoughts says ...

Is this a new model of DeeZee being trotted out here? Bad Pun DeeZee (or BP-DZ, and not unlike the oil leak, he is a disaster...).

It would make for a nice complete set with useless-link DZ and awful-prediction DZ.

Posted by CitizenKanedForPostingThoughts at June 28, 2010 11:51 PM

comment #6

Marty Melville says ...

"Is this a new model of DeeZee being trotted out here? Bad Pun DeeZee (or BP-DZ, and not unlike the oil leak, he is a disaster...).

It would make for a nice complete set with useless-link DZ and awful-prediction DZ."

He disdains multitudes.

Posted by Marty Melville at June 29, 2010 12:02 AM

comment #7

Travis Crabtree says ...

It's her failure to conform to the strict "one child" policy.

Posted by Travis Crabtree at June 29, 2010 12:02 AM

comment #8

Bob Violence says ...

seems like the KGB (?!) might figure into the plot and the Chinese are really sensitive about their buddies the Russians, to the extent that all mentions of the words "Russia" and "Siberia" were censored in that Mickey Rourke movie that came out a coupla months back

also the fact they tried for a Chinese theatrical release almost guarantees this will be dumb as hell, since the import quota means the only Hollywood product released is family films and/or ultra-lowest-common-denominator junk that will bring the highest ROI

Posted by Bob Violence at June 29, 2010 12:07 AM

comment #9

Bob Violence says ...

oh I see Kurt Wimmer has a writing credit, so yeah this is gonna be flat-out retarded

Posted by Bob Violence at June 29, 2010 12:09 AM

comment #10

The Winchester says ...

You're high on the crack, Bob Violence, if the idea of Angelina Jolie performing gunkata doesn't get you excited.

Posted by The Winchester at June 29, 2010 12:27 AM

comment #11

Bob Violence says ...

he's not directing it

Posted by Bob Violence at June 29, 2010 12:32 AM

comment #12

LexG says ...

GUNKATA POWER.

Wimmer RULES.

Posted by LexG at June 29, 2010 12:33 AM

comment #13

Bob Violence says ...

not that it matters since those were terrible movies too

Posted by Bob Violence at June 29, 2010 12:33 AM

comment #14

Markj74 says ...

The POWER and RULES thing is DOA now LexG. Need a new routine.

Posted by Markj74 at June 29, 2010 12:35 AM

comment #15

CitizenKanedForPostingThoughts says ...

Kurt Wimmer is fucking awful. Awful. And anyone who so much as gives his movies a pass, let alone gets enthusiastic about them, is highly suspect.

Posted by CitizenKanedForPostingThoughts at June 29, 2010 1:12 AM

comment #16

Josh Massey says ...

Old routine POWER. Never change.

But Christ, Wimmer does suck.

Posted by Josh Massey at June 29, 2010 3:32 AM

comment #17

Sams says ...

It'll probably still play in Hong Kong. Might it also have something to do with today's headline that Russian deep cover agents were just arrested in NY etc? China probably has the same program running. They seem more aggressive with hacking and getting info.

Posted by Sams at June 29, 2010 3:39 AM

comment #18

maxfm says ...

SALT. SALT. SALT. SALT. SALT. SALT. SALT. SALT. SALT.

ARRRRGGGHHHH!!!!

Look, we all know Wells is somewhat of a Noyce pal, but pleeeeeeaaassse stop!

It's NOT going to be a big deal. It looks like every other GENERIC studio action blockbuster-wannabe with completely ridiculous, CGI-enhanced stunts and an overpaid star going through the motions.

By the numbers BS.

Toy Story 3 and Inception will be the films of the summer -- plain and simple.

Posted by maxfm at June 29, 2010 5:31 AM

comment #19

Holy Spokes says ...

China is almost certainly a late in the game villian or at least plot point.

Expect some Salt banner ads soon.

Posted by Holy Spokes at June 29, 2010 6:11 AM

comment #20

George Prager says ...

KSTEW is on the TODAY SHOW and REGIS AND KELLY this morning.

PREPARE to be CHARMED!!!!!!

Posted by George Prager at June 29, 2010 6:12 AM

comment #21

Ulysses says ...

I have ZERO interest in seeeing SALT.

I'm even prepared to be massively disappointed with INCEPTION.

Posted by Ulysses at June 29, 2010 6:32 AM

comment #22

Bob Violence says ...

China is almost certainly a late in the game villian or at least plot point.

if that's the case I can't imagine why they would bother submitting it in the first place -- Chinese censors get bent out of shape about lots of weird shit, but their distaste for Chinese villains is hardly a secret (cf. The Departed, The Dark Knight, even Pirates of the Caribbean 3)

Posted by Bob Violence at June 29, 2010 6:37 AM

comment #23

Holy Spokes says ...

Fair enough. What then?

Posted by Holy Spokes at June 29, 2010 6:40 AM

comment #24

Eloi Wrath says ...

"Toy Story 3 and Inception will be the films of the summer -- plain and simple."

Saw TS3 this past weekend. Genuine masterpiece, every bit as good as the first two.

"I'm even prepared to be massively disappointed with INCEPTION."

The hype levels are almost impossible to live up to. But still, the same could be said about The Dark Knight and that certainly lived up to my expectations. Plus it was the only film I've seen twice in theaters for a long, long time.

Posted by Eloi Wrath at June 29, 2010 6:45 AM

comment #25

Bob Violence says ...

I think my Russian guess was pretty good, or maybe the bad guys win (they don't go for that in China either)

or maybe there is a bungling ethnic Chinese sidekick

Posted by Bob Violence at June 29, 2010 6:45 AM

comment #26

Bob Violence says ...

actually the bad guys don't even have to win, it's bad enough if they don't get punished sufficiently

there's a hilarious mainland version of Vengeance where Johnny Hallyday magically regains his memory and turns himself in to the cops

Posted by Bob Violence at June 29, 2010 6:46 AM

comment #27

Circumvrent says ...

A tip of the hat to Crabtree. That made me laugh out loud.

Posted by Circumvrent at June 29, 2010 7:06 AM

comment #28

DeeZee says ...

Bob: The thing about POTC 3 was that they didn't like CYF portrayed as a "Fu Manchu" stereotype.

Posted by DeeZee at June 29, 2010 8:47 PM

comment #29

Bob Violence says ...

hey I've got a thing for you, choke it down you fucking slut

Posted by Bob Violence at June 29, 2010 10:57 PM

comment #30

dayXexists says ...

Funny that some people on this site get annoyed if Salt gets more than one article but you just know they cream their pants everytime they see the word Inception pop up on here.

Posted by dayXexists at July 4, 2010 9:29 PM

comment #31

RockyOx1967 says ...

Total non-story. Who cares what China thinks? They want to ban Google. They want their people to live in a bubble that only they control - Truman Show-esque. However, you get a Chinese official on a jolly over here and guess what? Escort agencies rung and cheap escorts are booked.

Posted by RockyOx1967 at July 5, 2010 1:50 AM

comment #32

Chris Carter says ...

The cold war is over and a movie based on Russians Vs Americans may not sound like the 21st century but movies about international politics and relations does have an impact and woos quiet an impressive number of movie goers around the world. How many of us are actually aware of what is going on in other countries? This is something to ponder about seriously.
It's quiet strange that "Salt" was banned in China, I didn't find anything too sensitive but we all have different perspectives, so there must have been a reason which was sensitive to the Chinese. Overall, it's still a good movie with the action scenes but I wish Angelina did something new for a change.

Inlet Beach real estate

Posted by Chris Carter at September 28, 2010 6:07 AM

comment #33