As diplomatic rift between China and Japan worsens,Shanghai International Film Festival will kick off this Friday without any Japanese films. First time in 20 years. apparent unofficial boycott amid ongoing tensions.
Japanese films also absent at Beijing International Film Festival back in April . That program skipped Japanese entries too. Since November's diplomatic spat, China has put limits on tourism and trade with Japan — no official ban on cultural exchanges though.
In Shanghai,an arts worker voiced disappointment over missing Japanese films this year,saying it was “not entirely surprising.” Political tensions spilling into cultural spheres. Artistic collaborations hit.
Officially,cultural sector stays unbanned. But current climate hints at ongoing impact on artistic expression and collaboration between these nations…
