Ang Lee cuts ‘Lust, Caution’ for Chinese censors: report

On Monday, some media reports first said that Lee was asked to cut 30 minutes of sex and violent scenes from his movie to pass China’s censorship rules and make it more child-friendly.

However, following negotiations with motion picture authorities in China, Lee finally has agreed to cut three scenes of intense sexual passion from the Chinese version of his movie.

Other scenes describing less intense sexual and emotional situations will remain intact out of respect for the director’s artistic vision, according to Chinese state media.

“Taiwan is different from China,” said Minister Shieh Jhy-wei from the Government Information Office. “We respect Lee’s work.”

Last Friday, a five-member government committee voted unanimously that “Lust, Caution” could be released rated “R” and without any censorship. The film will be played in movie theaters around Taiwan starting Sept. 24, but viewers below 18 will not be allowed to enjoy it.

No “mosaics” will be used to block out parts of scenes with sexual content, said Shieh.

Lee was boarding a plane for Hong Kong that morning when he received the good news from China’s censors. He will arrive in Taiwan on Sept. 23 with leading actress Tang Wei, and participate in the movie’s premiere the next day.

Lee will also spend the Mid-autumn festival with his family in Taiwan, and return to the U.S. on Sept. 26 for another premiere in New York.

According to executives from the movie industry, box office sales between May and August of this year have been 15 percent higher than in 2006, as major productions have been hitting the cinemas during the summer break.

The huge publicity around Ang Lee’s latest movie following his second Golden Lion will surely help “Lust, Caution” boost box office receipts as well.

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