Rupert and the dragon.(Walt Disney Co. stuck by its plans to release the film 'Kundun,' despite objections by China, unlike Rupert Murdoch who dropped his plans to publish the autobiography of the former governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten)

Economist (US), The, March, 1998

LAST year Disney produced a film called "Kundun". Directed by Martin Scorsese, it was strongly critical of China's occupation of Tibet, and supportive of the Dalai Lama. The Chinese government deemed it a distortion of the facts and an insult to the Chinese nation. It warned Disney that the American film company's large and growing interests in China would be at risk were the film released.

Disney held firm. The film was released, as planned, at Christmas. Disney won plaudits for its courage in the American press. There has been no retribution. Disney's shops are still open, its manufacturing operations are still running, its radio show is still on air, and the company is still negotiating film releases in China later this year and theme parks for further into the...

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