- Title: 'Mulan' star's support for Hong Kong police sparks backlash from protesters
- Date: 16th August 2019
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (AUGUST 16, 2019) (REUTERS) PROTESTERS RALLYING IN CHATER GARDEN HONG KONG SKYSCRAPERS / VOLUNTEERS SECURING PROTEST SITE VOLUNTEERS HANDING OUT PLACARDS VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS HOLDING PLACARDS READING (English): "POWER TO THE PEOPLE" AND "DON'T TRUST CHINA" (SOUNDBITE) (English) PROTESTER, CHEUNG (NO SURNAME GIVEN), SAYING: "The actress is playing the character of Mulan that is such a feminism figure, it really contradicts her values. It doesn't make sense actually, so I'd say if Disney is such a company that really values human rights and things that they've done over the past years, they're being very active on these social issues, then they should not continue hiring Liu Yifei as Mulan's character right?" PROTESTERS GATHERED VARIOUS OF OCCUPY CENTRAL LEADER JOSHUA WONG SPEAKING ON STAGE, SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER TRANSLATING PROTESTERS HOLDING UP BRITISH FLAG, WITH HONG KONG COAT OF ARMS IN CENTRE PROTESTER SHOUTING SLOGANS (SOUNDBITE) (English) PROTESTER, JANICE (NO SURNAME GIVEN), SAYING: "They are artists and celebrities and they are showing their standpoints it could be because they need their job in China, they need the money and everything. Everyone has their reason behind to do such action, but I believe that people don't really care, to be very honest. They care but also in a sense they need the money. So what can you really do, because money seems to be the biggest thing on earth, which is really pathetic, but I do think that I respect their standpoint, I do hope they understand. I don't have a huge hope on it." PLACARDS AT PROTEST PLACARD READING (English): ''WERE ARE OUR PROMISED AUTONOMY AND DEMOCRACY'' (SOUNDBITE) (English) PROTESTER, JOSEPH (NO SURNAME GIVEN), SAYING: "Well, I don't think it (Mulan movie) should be banned. We have freedom of speech here, but we know the truth. We know the justice. We know what should we say, what should be done. They can come to Hong Kong, they can get their show to be filmed in Hong Kong to be shown in Hong Kong, but I'm pretty sure like most of us will not be seeing the show. They can keep showing but they're not going to make money here. So they have their right to say anything and we have the absolute right to fight back like not watching their movies" PROTESTERS STANDING ON STREET PROTESTER HOLDING PLACARD READING (English): "YOU CAN KILL THE DREAM BUT YOU CAN'T KILL THE DREAMER" PROTESTER HOLDING PLACARD READING (English/Cantonese): "JUSTICE FOR HONG KONG. EPOCH OF REFORMATION" PROTESTERS APPLAUDING PROTESTERS STANDING
- Embargoed: 30th August 2019 17:16
- Keywords: Hong Kong protests China Disney Mulan Liu Yifei
- Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
- City: HONG KONG, CHINA
- Country: China
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001ASGU8UF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Hong Kong protesters expressed their disappointment at a social media post made by "Mulan" actress Liu Yifei supporting the city's police on Friday (August 16) as thousands gathered on the eve of another weekend of major protests.
In a post on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, actress Liu Yifei wrote in Mandarin "I support Hong Kong police. You can attack me now," adding in English: "What a shame for Hong Kong".
Protesters wearing face masks said they would not watch the film in theatres including Cheung who called on Disney to rethink their employment of the actress saying, ''I'd say if Disney is such a company that really values human rights, then they should not continue hiring Liu Yifei as Mulan's character right.''
Ten weeks of confrontations between police and protesters have plunged Hong Kong into its worst crisis since it reverted from British to Chinese rule in 1997, and have presented the biggest popular challenge to Chinese President Xi Jingping since he came to power in 2012.
The protests began in opposition to a now-suspended bill that would have allowed the extradition of suspects for trial in mainland China, but have swelled into wider calls for democracy.
Liu, a popular star of Chinese film and dramas is a naturalized citizen of the United States. She is fluent in English and has also appeared in several international co-productions such as "Outcast," where she starred alongside Nicholas Cage.
"Mulan" is scheduled for release in March, 2020.
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