SHANG-CHI Under Fire In China After Apparent Reference to Tiananmen Square Reference
By Movieguide® Staff
Controversy arose in China over an alleged reference to the Tiananmen Square Massacre found in Marvel’s SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS.
The movie, which already experienced backlash for the character and comic’s roots in Chinese culture, came under fire after its release on Disney+.
CBR reported:
On Chinese social media app Weibo, a screenshot taken from the bus fight sequence was shared, showcasing the bus driver’s tag, reading “8964,” which some have perceived to be a reference to the infamous and nationally suppressed Tiananmen Square Massacre, which took place on June 4, 1989. The image has been posted elsewhere on other social media sites and forums, sparking discussion about whether or not the reference was intentional.
The Tiananmen Square Massacre resulted from a peaceful protest held by university students in China, calling for an end to governmental corruption and democratic reforms. As a way to end the movement, then-paramount leader Deng Xiaoping ordered armed troops from the People’s Liberation Army to march into Tiananmen Square alongside tanks, firing at protesters. The exact death toll has never been released, but is believed to be in the thousands. The Chinese Communist Party-led government has been known to suppress mention of the event — known within mainland China as the June Fourth Incident — through strict censorship across the internet, television, film and other forms of media.
Simu Liu, cast as the title character, received criticism in China due to past remarks about the Chinese government.
In an interview, Liu referenced how his parents talked about “growing up in communist China,” and how people were “dying of starvation.”
A portion of Movieguide®’s review reads:
SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS is a comical action entry in Marvel’s Cinematic Universe. It introduces a Chinese superhero who ran away from his criminal father who trained him to be an assassin. The father uses 10 powerful arm rings to enlarge and run his criminal 10 Rings empire. Shang-Chi (“Shawng-Chee”) learns his widowed father is being deceived by a demonic, imprisoned “soul-eating” monster into thinking a mystical village guarding a magical land is holding his dead wife’s spirit prisoner. The father intends to destroy the village, free his mother’s soul and use the rings to bring Shang-Chi’s mother back to life.
SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS is a funny superhero movie with lots of exciting action. It has terrific martial arts stunt fighting. The movie has a mixed worldview, however. There are some strong moral, redemptive themes such as baptism, sacrifice, death and resurrection, reconciliation, and overcoming demonic “soul-eating” monsters. However, SHANG-CHI has lots of action violence, some fantasy and occult content, scary monsters, and some foul language. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises serious caution for impressionable children.
Read Also: New Report Reveals Cinemas Across China Are Required to Show Propaganda Movies
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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