Put Movie Scenes Into Perspective

The controversy over the release of the box office hit "Mission: Impossible III" in China reflects the absence of a mindset that is open, global and has a sense of humour.

About 20 per cent of the scenes in this action-packed thriller were shot in Shanghai. People have been eagerly awaiting the release of this movie since Tom Cruise came to Shanghai and the water town of Xitang in neighbouring Zhejiang Province last November, attracting hundreds of journalists and legions of fans.

Newspaper reports ascribed the delay in the release of the much-anticipated movie to the fact it "tarnishes the image of Shanghai, showing rags and underwear drying outdoors in side streets."

But what I found was the contrary. The neon-lit traditional Bund and futuristic Pudong skyline shown in the movie are alluring and unrivalled anywhere in the world. The landmark Oriental Pearl Tower appears in the movie several times. The view of "a city without night" while driving down the approach of the Yan'an Road Elevated Highway is simply stunning.

What is more intriguing and also in contrast to metropolitan Shanghai is the unhurried, peaceful and scenic view of the canal town of Xitang that is already drawing an influx of tourists and will certainly lure more from among those fascinated by the scenes in the movie.

In fact the scenes showing rags and underwear drying outdoors do not tarnish the city's image either, especially among foreign viewers. Such images are considered charming as they have been part of the lives of the Shanghainese for a century and will remain as a tradition, especially among those living in crowded old apartments.

When Shanghai's municipal government tried to outlaw the drying of laundry outdoors in some areas three years ago, in what it claimed was an attempt to improve the city's image, local expats expressed their reservations about the law as well as their love of these street scenes. Seeing clothes hanging on bamboo sticks did nothing to lessen their affection for Shanghai.

Another accusation against the movie is that it inappropriately portrays Shanghai as a site used for the storage of chemical weapons by terrorists. There are also a few lines that may be unflattering to the local security services.

But it's just a movie. And like most other movies, it's fictional and nothing more than entertainment.

How many Hollywood blockbusters have we watched about violence, crimes, terrorism and run-down areas in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Paris and London? But these cities remain among the greatest in the world today and we would not hesitate from visiting them.

A great country, a great city and a great man are not going to be hurt by a movie whose purpose is solely to entertain. Shanghai is no exception. It is not that fragile, either.

One of the fastest growing metropolises in the world, Shanghai is attracting ever more Chinese and foreigners to visit and work in the city. Their choice to come and probably work in the city will not be determined by "Mission: Impossible III," but rather by the vigour and opportunities that Shanghai presents.

There is no need to be paranoid about some minor scenes in a movie. They will arise more often as Shanghai becomes more international and Hollywood becomes more interested in Shanghai and China.

The whole issue also reflects a lack of sense of humour and a failure to laugh at criticism. Those people who disapproved of the movie should watch Jay Leno on NBC and other talk show programmes to see how people of power, wealth and fame are bantered about without anyone getting sued. We should truly feel happy that MI3, which was partly shot in Shanghai, is a box office hit in many countries and is entertaining millions.

Many people in China still prefer to keep the skeleton in the cupboard and adopt a nei wai you bie (inside and outside are different) attitude that is incompatible with a globalized world and an opening China. This kind of attitude is not only outdated, it is also impossible to maintain in the 21st century when people travel more and information knows no borders.

A correct mentality is to be open and welcome criticism. As the Chinese saying goes: Bitter medicine is good for the health.

No one is perfect. We should let people from outside see both the good and bad things in Shanghai and in China for themselves.

We should show people Shanghai's glitzy skyline and booming economy as well as its tough battle to fight jaywalking, spitting and littering.

Many foreign friends I have travelled with in China have kept making return trips to the country. They feel more attached to China after they see more of the "real China."

For the same reason, a few scenes and lines that offend some people should not make the early release of "Mission: Impossible III" an impossible task.