While Tom Cruise's movie Mission: Impossible III is meeting with major success overseas, the door to the China market remains closed. The film's China distributors Monday denied reports that the film was shut out for "tarnishing the image of Shanghai and the Chinese police" and "has to be cut to enter the China market." 　　

 

"As the man in charge of the film's distribution in China, I watched the movie several times and I couldn't even find a hint of offense towards Shanghai." Mr. Chen, principal of UIP Company, the movie's distributor in China, said. 　　

 

"We didn't receive any notice from the State Administration of Radio Film and Television (SARFT), nor did we receive any order to cut scenes." Chen said. 　　

 

"I don't know which version of the movie the reporters watched in Hong Kong. If they criticize the movie for showing Shanghai landmarks Waitan and Jinmao Tower, then I have nothing to say. On the contrary, most foreign critics praised the Shanghai part of the movie." 　　

 

Earlier reports said authorities may have been offended by shots of Shanghai side streets showing rags and underwear hanging out to dry. 　　

 

SARFT is expected to make a decision on M:I III before the end of this week. To attract more moviegoers on the Chinese mainland, the distributors say they'll have local celebrity actors and actresses dub the movie. 　

 

Released internationally two weeks ago, Mission: Impossible III ranked No. 1 in North American box office revenue last week. The worldwide box office income has reached US$214 million.

 

(Shenzhen Daily May 17, 2006)