Two famous Hong Kong film producers said in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province Thursday that the Chinese mainland should establish a film classification system as soon as possible, the Beijing Times reported Friday.

 

Director Ng See-Yuen and actor Tsang Chi-Wai, who have both invested in the movie industry in recent years, said at a forum held during the 15th Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival that film classification will help moviemakers produce more good films.

 

"Don't think youngsters are easily attracted by 'bad content'," Ng said.

 

He said the Chinese mainland only took in 1 billion yuan (about US$125 million) at the box office each year because there isn't a film rating system.

 

Tsang said the system would give directors - especially new ones - more opportunities, leaving them space to explore new themes.

 

China tried to establish its own film rating system at the end of the 1980s without success.

 

Advocates have been calling for a system since 1998.

 

Because China has no film classification system - films are supposed to be able to be seen by everyone - censors simply cut out entire scenes in order to protect minors.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 28, 2006)