Films and TV series shot in ancient palaces and temples are
becoming increasingly popular in China these days, and some
commercial performances have used them as outdoor theatres. But
Beijing's draft regulation on the implementation of the national
law on the protection of cultural relics will make it more
difficult for filmmakers to shoot at such sites. Mei Ninghua,
director of the Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural
Heritage, explained on July 27 that steps must be taken to protect
the city's valuable cultural relics.
According to State Administration of Cultural Heritage (SACH)
regulations, permission to shoot second- and third-class museum
collections for publications, audio and video products must be
requested from the provincial, regional or municipal cultural
relics administration that has authority over the site. Filming of
first-class museum collections must then be endorsed by the SACH as
well.
Those who wish to film or stage events at historical sites must
provide a security guarantee and get approval from the
administrative office of the site before embarking on the round of
government office approvals. In general, only exterior shots will
be given the nod. Except under special circumstances, indoor
shooting at such sites is forbidden.
The SACH may take up to 20 days, after receiving all necessary
documentation, to make a determination.
At present, a 100-part televised documentary, featuring the
Forbidden City, is being shot for the 80th anniversary of the
Palace Museum to be marked in 2005. Both the Ministry of Culture
and the SACH have approved the project.
"To tell the truth, shooting is not encouraged here," said a Palace
Museum official.
Sites such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall or the Temple
of Heaven could conceivably rake in a fortune in fees for such
events. But such opportunities are given little consideration.
According to an official with the Mountain Resort in Chengde,
"Our primary job is to give good protection to these cultural
relics, not to make money out of them."
(China.org.cn July 30, 2004)
