Don’t expect to see Garfield 2 or the upcoming Charlotte’s Web popping up in theaters in China. According to Daily Variety, China’s State Administration of Radio, Film and Television has put a ban on films and TV programs that pair live actors with animated characters, a la Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
An order issued on Feb. 15 states that live-action/toon hybrids will not receive distribution or distribution licenses. The strange measure is intended to boost the production of local, Mandarin-language animation by curbing the amount of foreign animation on Chinese television. It’s unclear, however, why productions that mix live-action and animation are being singled out. It may have to do with a general uneasiness with content of a supernatural nature. The government has previously banned such movies as Babe, the Academy Award nominated family flick that employed CG effects to make animals talk.
In the past couple of years, Chinese broadcasters have opened their doors to animated programs from Nickelodeon and Disney Channel. In addition, Warner Bros. and BKN have both entered into partnerships to develop and produce animation tailored to Chinese audiences. Still, children’s channels in the country are scrambling to fill airtime and the local animation industry isn’t yet able meet the growing demand for content.
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