Avatar 2D China Ban: Why not 3D?

The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television in China, who normally don’t justify their actions or lack of it, have been forced to issue a statement recently, following the controversy over its alleged decision to pull “Avatar” from 2D cinema halls.

According to indiatimes.com, the withdrawal of the 2D version of the movie from cinema halls has prompted critics to say that the action was directed by government authorities, who felt that some scenes were similar to forced eviction of people from their properties.

But the very strange thing is that the movie is still being shown in its 3D version. It’s now not clear why the government did not consider cracking down on it. SARFT, have denied forcing cinema halls to withdraw the 2D version and say the 3D version, won’t be affected.

One explanation of why it has been allowed to play in the 3D version is that only one-third of the 2,500 halls showing the movie actually have the facilities to show Imax or 3D movies. Critics say that the government, want less people to watch the movie.

Zhang Hongsen, who is the deputy director of State Administration of Radio, Film and Televsion, says that the 2D version has proved to be less popular than the 3D version of the movie, which is the real reason behind cinema halls withdrawing the 2D version.