Disney’s live-action remake of Mulan is facing mounting criticism including calls for a boycott over the film’s ties to human rights abuses by the government of China.
The movie was released last week on Disney Plus and its end credits include special thanks given to the Turpan Municipal Bureau of Public Security – which is involved in running the notorious Uighur internment camps.
More than a million Muslims, mostly of the Uighur minority, have been placed into camps in the Xinjiang region. Those who have managed to escape the camps say detainees are subjected to abuse including torture, forced sterilisation, brainwashing and forced labour.
Mulan’s lead actress Liu Yifei also caused controversy by reportedly sharing a message on social media platform Weibo stating: “I support Hong Kong’s police, you can beat me up now” and “what a shame for Hong Kong.”
On Twitter, the hashtag #BoycottMulan has become popular since the film’s September 4 release.
Newshub approached Disney NZ about the plight of the Uighur people, the Mulan credit thanking the Turpan Municipal Bureau of Public Security and the situation in Hong Kong.
A representative said the company has no comment.
Joshua Wong supported calls to boycott the movie, which will debut in cinemas. "Because Disney kowtows to Beijing, and because Liu Yifei openly and proudly endorses police brutality in HK, I urge everyone who believes in human rights to #BoycottMulan” https://t.co/YE5FcQ93tL
— Joshua Wong 黃之鋒 😷 (@joshuawongcf) September 5, 2020
Mulan’s New Zealand director Niki Caro is also receiving comments on her personal Instagram account about the controversy.
The Whale Rider filmmaker posted a photo in 2017 from the Xinjiang region that has been attracting outrage in recent days.
“Shame on you, Niki. Did you see my family members suffering from China’s genocide of the Uyghurs? How could you sleep?” asked one commenter.
