The documentary film Cold case Hammarskjöld (2019), which deals with the circumstances surrounding the death of former UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld, can no longer be shown at the festival Hainan island film festival, in Sanya, China.
This is stated in an e-mail from the festival's program manager, which Culture News has taken note of.
"Terrible news"In the email, the program manager writes that she has "terrible news", and that they have just been told by China's counterpart to the Swedish Film Institute that films produced in Sweden can no longer be shown:
"We have worked hard to find a solution, but unfortunately we will not pass any special restrictions in China."
The program manager confirms for the Culture News that the film will not be shown at the festival but she cannot tell why.
"I'm sorry, but unfortunately I can't tell you that," she tells Culture News.
When the Cultural News asks if there is anyone else we can talk to, she says: "It is probably not a good idea".
"Will seriously hamper cultural exchange"Earlier in November, China's embassy threatened with "consequences" if Culture Minister Amanda Lind (MP) attended the award ceremony of the Swedish PEN's Tucholsky Prize, which this year was awarded to the imprisoned Swedish-Chinese publisher Gui Minhai, as previously reported by the Culture News.
Chinese Ambassador to Sweden Gui Congyou said that Amanda Lind would be expelled from China if she attended the awards ceremony and that it would probably affect relations between the countries.
"It will also seriously hamper cultural exchange and cooperation between us and we would stop receiving representatives from Swedish cultural life," said Gui Congyou.
The Swedish government clearly marked the embassy and Culture Minister Amanda Lind (MP) was present as planned at the awards ceremony.
- We're not going to fall for that kind of threat. Never, said Prime Minister Stefan Löfven (S).
The cultural news seeks out the film's Swedish producer Andreas Rocksén and the Chinese Embassy for a comment.