Great Scott! China ban films and TV shows featuring time travel (just in case anyone wants to rewrite history)



Shows that feature time travel have been effectively banned by the Chinese government after it issued new rules for TV and film directors.



In the latest crackdown on dissent, authorities want its citizens to uphold the country's values and not promote anything that would re-write history.

Chinese censors issued guidance to the film and television industry, which producers would be unwise to ignore if they want to stay on air.

'Back to the Present': Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox appearing in Back to the Future which is now banned in China

Time travel is on the list of activities that have been banned for scriptwriters and directors since March 31 that includes reincarnation and feudal superstitions.

The guidance is for makers of TV programmes from the State Administration of Radio Film and Television (SARFT) that would make films like Back to the Future and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure contraband material.

Outlining the reason for it's decision to ban time travel, the Chinese government said: 'Producers and writers are treating serious history in a frivolous way, which should by no means be encouraged anymore.'

FILMS BANNED IN CHINA

Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure

Back to the Future

The Time Traveller’s Wife

12 monkeys

All the Star Trek films

All the Terminator films

Planet of the Apes

The Butterfly Effect

Austin Powers

A Christmas Carol

It added that the ban applies to films that contain 'fantasy, time-travel, random compilations of mythical stories, bizarre plots, absurd techniques, even propagating feudal superstitions, fatalism and reincarnation, ambiguous moral lessons, and even a lack of positive thinking.'

'The government says TV dramas shouldn't have characters that travel back in time and rewrite history,' said CNN's Eunice Yoon.

'They also say that myth, superstitions and reincarnation are all questionable.'

It also means that TV series like Dr Who, Star Trek and the X-Files are now banned along with the film Terminator.

The new ruling comes as the Communist party (CPC) prepares for its 90th anniversary in power, according to the Hollywood Reporter.



SARFT issued the guidance telling film makers they must 'Follow the central spirit of the CPC to celebrate its 90th anniversary on television.

Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure: If it was remade in China cinemagoers would see the pair spend 90 minutes in a phone booth not doing very much

'All levels should actively prepare to launch vivid reproductions of the Chinese revolution, the nation’s construction and its reform and opening up.'

The film and television arm of the government reports directly to China's cabinet, the State Council.

It has the power to pull the plug on any Chinese film or television series whenever and wherever it wishes.