Chinese films pulled from Melbourne fest

July 21, 2009 Three Chinese films were pulled from the Melbourne International Film Festival program Tuesday in the wake of pressure from Chinese government representatives here last week, regarding the premiere of documentary "10 Conditions of Love," profiling Rebiya Kadeer, the leader in exile of the Uighur minority in western China. Festival organizer Richard Moore told The Hollywood Reporter that the filmmakers objected to the presence of Kadeer at the festival and the inclusion of "10 Conditions" in the program. At the same time Zhao Liang, the director of "Petition" -- a harrowing documentary about the fate of Chinese people who petition local authorities for change, which screened at the Festival de Cannes in May -- requested that his film also be withdrawn.

Subscribe to the Hollywood Reporter and see the entertainment industry from its best angle: the inside looking out. Complete access to real-time news and exclusive analysis that goes behind the scenes from film to television, home video to digital media.

   Subscribe now.