Page 14 - 2022-08-01 Sound & Vision

wide
angle signals
Sony, Spider-Man,
and the Statue
of Liberty
BY KEN C. POHLMANN
Spider-Man is a comic-book character that was created in 1962. The inau- obscured, perhaps as a precaution
gural issue sold for 12 cents. Sony Pictures, which now owns the screen
rights to the character, decided not to release the latest Spider-Man movie
in the world’s biggest movie market. That decision might cost Sony as
much as $340 million.
Why on earth would Sony do
such a thing? Spider-Man: No Way
Home cost hundreds of millions
of dollars to make and to market,
and I am guessing Sony would
appreciate a certain ROI (Return
on Investment). Yes, the film
has already grossed $1.9 billion
and counting, was the highest-
grossing film of 2021, and is the
sixth-highest-grossing film of all
time. But still—why walk away from
those extra hundreds of millions?
As you might guess, the reason has
to do with China.
As you might also guess, the
reason is censorship. Receiving
permission to show a movie in
China is hardly a fait accompli.
In this case, reportedly, Chinese
authorities did not approve of the
film’s finale. In particular, the final
extended scene takes place on and
around the Statue of Liberty. Appar- In the interests of actual jour- it appears that Doctor Strange in
ently, Chinese censors initially
demanded that Sony remove all
images of the statue because
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14 August September 2022
of perceived patriotic connota-
tions. Sony refused. Perhaps as
an accommodation, authorities
then reportedly asked for more
subtle changes; in particular, it
would be acceptable to partially
obscure otherwise clear images of
the statue. A er deliberation, Sony
declined to make any changes,
and thus the film will not be shown
in China. Various sources estimate
that Sony will lose anywhere from
$170 million to $340 million.
This kind of censorship is
anathema to most Americans; most
of us view freedom of speech as a
bedrock principle. But the rules are
different in China. If the government
objects to a movie’s content, it can
deny its entry into theaters. It is
important to note that some studios
willingly edit their movies so they
can be shown in China.
nalism, I watched Spider-Man: No
Way Home last night. As noted, the
climax takes place on the Statue of
soundandvision.com
Liberty. To avoid any spoilers, I will 1950’s Adventures of Superman TV
simply say that the statue is fairly show. You might fondly remember
actor George Reeves, hands on
on the part of the filmmakers to hips, standing proudly before the
avoid precisely this kind of censor- Stars and Stripes. Yes, Lady Liberty
ship problem. Deleting the statue is a symbol of national pride. On the
entirely, as the censors may have other hand, would American social-
wished, would have been impos- media censors object to scenes
sible, or at least cost-prohibitive showing The Great Wall of China?
in terms of CGI. At most, perhaps The more interesting question
sections of many shots could is how American movie studios will
have been blurred or dimmed—a respond to the rules that Chinese
clumsy solution. There is one brief, censors impose. Imagine that
final “beauty” shot of the statue you are a Hollywood executive.
which is probably the visual that You are well aware of the financial
was most egregious to the censors. losses that Marvel and Sony have
While the other statue shots would incurred on this and other films.
have been difficult or impossible to A screenplay comes across your
work around, this one, the one that desk and it is brilliant. But it has
most obviously could be construed a scene that is very American,
as being patriotic, would have been very patriot. Would you ask the
easy to cut and perhaps that would screenwriter to alter the scene? In
have given Sony permission to other words, would you make the
release the film in China. movie as wri en or preemptively
You might recall that this is not bow to censorship?
the first time that a Marvel movie Before you answer, consider that
has run afoul of Chinese censors. Superman’s mo o, “Truth, Justice,
Eternals, Shang-Chi and the Legend and the American Way,” was
of the Ten Rings, and Venom: Let recently changed to “Truth, Justice,
There Be Carnage were also not and a Be er Tomorrow.” Acknowl-
approved for release in China. And, edgment of the global appeal of the
character, or self-censorship? You
the Multiverse of Madness might decide.
not be shown either. In any case, A final note: The Statue of Liberty
Sony has decided that the Statue represents Libertas, the Roman
of Liberty must stay. I cannot say goddess of freedom, who was
if Sony’s decision was based on particularly revered by former
higher principles, or if the studio slaves who had been freed by
was simply afraid of the blow back Roman manumission. Do Chinese
if Americans learned that Sony had censors object to the iconography
willingly demoted the Statue of because it represents America, or
Liberty in the Chinese release. In because it celebrates freedom?
any case, the company’s financial
loss is undeniable. THE AUTHOR
Is the Statue of Liberty a patriotic
Ken C. Pohlmann is an electrical
symbol? It is certainly iconic of
engineer specializing in audio
America. But it is less provocative
topics as a consultant and writer.
than, say, another superhero’s
He is Professor Emeritus at the
mo o, “Truth, Justice, and the University of Miami.
American Way,” a phrase from the