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Updated Thursday, December 4, 2008 11:40 am TWN, AFP



	An undated handout photograph show Taiwan actress Rachel Lian acting as Kojima Tomoko in "Cape No.7." (Reuters) Enlarge Photo

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Taiwan's Ma urges support for Japan-themed movie in China

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou on Wednesday urged Chinese audiences to watch a local blockbuster amid reports that its release has been held up on the mainland because of its Japanese themes.

"Cape No. 7", which has become the fastest selling Chinese-language movie in Taiwanese history, features Japanese actors and dialogue.

Local media have speculated that anti-Japan sentiments in China are behind a delay in its release on the mainland.

"Taiwan's historic background is different than China's. I hope the mainland audience will see 'Cape No. 7' from this angle... to understand the setting and the stories," Ma said in a radio interview.

"The movie depicts regular people's lives and their true feelings... I recommend the mainlanders watch to learn more about Taiwanese people," he said.

"Cape No. 7," has taken some 460 million Taiwan dollars (around US$14 million) since its August opening.

Director Wei Te-sheng said the film's copyrights were sold to China in November to hit screens this month but he was informed that its release date was delayed due to "technical reasons".

Anti-Japan sentiment remains widespread on the mainland, which considers itself the biggest victim of Japanese aggression between 1937 and 1945.

Taiwan is much more sympathetic toward Japan despite being colonised between 1895-1945, and the lack of official ties as Tokyo formally recognises Beijing.

"Cape No. 7" tells of the modern-day romance between a Taiwanese singer and a Japanese publicist in Taiwan as they unwittingly uncover another love affair from the island's Japanese colonial past.

Director Wei has stressed that the movie is about love, music and dreams and should not be interpreted politically.

Japan-themed movies touched a nerve in China last year when mainland authorities reportedly blacklisted actress Tang Wei for "beautifying" a traitor in acclaimed Taiwanese director Ang Lee's spy thriller "Lust, Caution".

Tang played a Chinese resistance spy who fell for a Japanese collaborator in the film set during Japan's occupation of Shanghai in the 1940s.

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