Human rights groups have criticised Walt Disney for filming part of its for live-action movie epic “Mulan” in Xinjiang for getting access to its lucrative Chinese movie market, ignoring human rights violations against Uighurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities.
Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong and internet users in Taiwan and Thailand are among those who promoted hashtags"#BoycottMulan" and "#BanMulan" on Twitter, following this month's launch of the film on Disney's streaming platform, according to Reuters.
Criticism of the live-action remake of a 1998 animated version began last year when Mulan's star, mainland Chinese-born actress Liu Yifei, expressed support on social media for police in Hong Kong, which was roiled at the time by anti-government unrest.
Activist Wong accused Disney of "kowtowing" to China, citing Liu and another actor's support for Hong Kong police and the movie's credits mentioning state organisations in Xinjiang.
"We urge people around the world to boycott the new Mulanmovie," he told Reuters on Tuesday.
Walt Disney Co has reportedly spent for $200 million for producing the movie with hopes that would do better than the animated version more than 20 years ago.
Disney has also acknowledged propaganda departments in Xinjiang and several other Chinese government agencies for their favours in the credits of the movie.
The film, which has provoked a backlash on social media over its star's support of Hong Kong police and for being partly filmed in the Xinjiang region, will also be shown in cinemas in China from Friday. Calls for people to boycott the film gathered pace this week.
The film was initially scheduled to be released in theaters in March, but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, Disney said Mulan would skip most theaters and go directly to its Disney+ platform. However, it is set to premiere in Chinese cinemas and the studio hopes it will do better than the animated version more than 20 years ago
Disney said it's pleased with initial results of its unusual release strategy for live-action reboot “Mulan Chief Financial Officer Christine McCarthy said at an investor conference on Wednesday.
(With input from agencies)