Chinese censors take the scissors to ‘Cold Mountain’

Chinese censors have cut love scenes from the Oscar-nominated epic “Cold Mountain” ahead of its arrival on the country’s screens in April, regulators said Tuesday.

Scenes excluded were “not in accord with national conditions, not in accord with Chinese tradition and not in accord with Chinese customs,” said a spokesman for the State Administration for Broadcasting, Movie and Television, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

China has gradually opened its market to foreign films under terms of its 2001 entry into the World Trade Organization and this year will permit about 50 imported movies -- up from just 10 in 2002. But because China lacks a rating system, censors are given a free hand to cut out parts they find offensive due to sex, nudity or political content unflattering to the Communist Party.

“Cold Mountain,” an epic set during the U.S. Civil War, has received seven Oscar nominations including best actor for Jude Law as a Confederate deserter making his way home to his sweetheart (played by Nicole Kidman) and best supporting actress for Renee Zellweger for her role as a no-nonsense Confederate woman.

Despite government restrictions, hundreds of domestic and foreign movies -- including many that were never approved for domestic release -- are readily available here in their uncut versions on cheap pirated DVDs.