Disney's 'Mulan' criticised for Uighur links
Disney's new live-action remake of "Mulan” is a blockbuster movie generating a lot of buzz.
But the film has also generated scrutiny -- including accusations that it was partly filmed in a region where China's alleged abuses take place against Uighur Muslims.
There's also issues with Hong Kong. Its lead actress has voiced support for Hong Kong police.
It's prompted Hong Kong activists such as Joshua Wong, one of the biggest leaders of its pro-democracy movement, to promote hashtags on social media like "#BoycottMulan" and "#BanMulan".
It will also be shown in cinemas in China from Sept 11, an increasingly big market for Hollywood.
Criticism began last year when Mulan's star -- mainland-born actress Liu Yifei expressed her support on social media for police in Hong Kong, in the midst of anti-government protests.
She did not respond to a request for comment.
Calls for people to boycott the film returned once again this week.
Now over accusations on social media that some of the scenes were shot in Xinjiang the epicenter of China’s clampdown on ethnic Uighurs and other Muslims -- which has been criticized by some governments and human rights groups.
Disney did not respond to a request for comment, and a spokesman for China's foreign ministry restated Beijing's denial of the existence of re-education camps in the region, when asked about the online reaction.
He called the facilities there vocational and educational institutions and accused anti-China forces of smearing its Xinjiang policy.
