Caught in backlash
Disney facing “a lot of issues” over filming “Mulan” in parts of China.
A Disney executive is responding to criticism the studio has faced for filming parts of the liveaction “Mulan” in a region of China known for alleged human rights abuses.
Disney CFO Christine Mccarthy said the company has faced “a lot of issues” as a result of the backlash, which also stems from the film’s closing credits thanking the government agency in the Xinjiang region, where the government allegedly keeps predominantly Muslim minorities, including the Uighurs, in internment camps, Deadline reported.
Asked if the controversy would threaten the film’s box office potential when it opens in China, Mccarthy gave a noncommittal answer.
“I’m not a box-office prognosticator, but it has generated a lot of publicity,” she said Thursday at the Bank of America Virtual Media, Communications & Entertainment Conference. “Let me just put something into context. The real facts are that ‘Mulan’ was primarily shot — almost in entirety — in New Zealand.”
She added that filming also took place in 20 locations throughout China
“in an effort to accurately depict some of the unique landscape and geography” of the country for the period film.
“It’s common knowledge that, in order to film in China, you have to be granted permission,” she explained. “That permission comes from the central government.”
Mccarthy said that acknowledging the national and local governments that allow filming in their locations is standard.
“So, in our credits, it recognized both China and locations in New Zealand,” she said. “I would just leave it at that, but it has generated a lot of issues for us.”
Among vocal critics of the decision to film in and thank the region are Amnesty International U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-MO.
On Tuesday, the human rights NGO tweeted a link to an article about the controversy, and asked: “Disney, can you show us your human rights due diligence report?”
Hawley sent a letter Wednesday to Disney CEO Bob Chapek, calling for the film to be pulled from theaters and Disney+ and accusing the studio of “whitewashing the ongoing genocide of Uighurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities” during the film’s production.