Marvel Studios' Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has been the subject of a number of controversies in China, owing to both the comic book character's roots as well as actor Simu Liu. The film's recent release on Disney+ has apparently resulted in yet another controversy, this time due to the contents of the film itself and an apparent reference to the Tiananmen Square Massacre.On Chinese social media app Weibo, a screenshot taken from the bus fight sequence was shared, showcasing the bus driver's tag, reading "8964," which some have perceived to be a reference to the infamous and nationally suppressed Tiananmen Square Massacre, which took place on June 4, 1989. The image has been posted elsewhere on other social media sites and forums, sparking discussion about whether or not the reference was intentional.
The Tiananmen Square Massacre resulted from a peaceful protest held by university students in China, calling for an end to governmental corruption and democratic reforms. As a way to end the movement, then-paramount leader Deng Xiaoping ordered armed troops from the People's Liberation Army to march into Tiananmen Square alongside tanks, firing at protesters. The exact death toll has never been released, but is believed to be in the thousands. The Chinese Communist Party-led government has been known to suppress mention of the event -- known within mainland China as the June Fourth Incident -- through strict censorship across the internet, television, film and other forms of media.
Simu Liu's casting in Shang-Chi has been criticized in China, predominately due to his appearance. More recently, he came under fire because of an old interview in which Liu described the China that his parents grew up in and were forced to flee from. In the interview, which was captured in images, Liu recalled his parents' stories about "growing up in communist China." He discussed his family's history and described China as part of the "third world," in which people were "dying of starvation." Wanting to live a "free life," Liu's parents emigrated from China and moved to Canada.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings signified a major shift in Marvel Studios and Disney's ability to release films into the Chinese market, since the film -- which has been viewed by some as an attempt to better appeal to China and Chinese audiences specifically -- ultimately became the second film released this year to be essentially barred from Chinese theater screens. Though the film passed state censors and some amount of marketing took place, the film, to date, has not been given a release date.
Source: Twitter