MOVIES - July 7, 1988

Teng Jinxian, chairman of the Chinese Film Bureau, said Wednesday that the Chinese government is considering instituting a ratings system for films in China, due to the increasing frankness of Chinese film makers in showing sex and violence. The China Youth News quoted Teng as saying some modern movies contain scenes that are unhealthy for children but vital to the plot or development of character. An example? The highly regarded Chinese film “Red Sorghum,” which includes an implicit rape scene and shows a man being skinned to death at the order of World War II Japanese soldiers. Rather than cut the scenes, Teng said, the bureau may label the movie unsuitable for children.