China introduces seven commandments for pesky reviewers

China's new attempt to censor online film reviewers is packaged as the Seven Conventions of Good Reviewing. It's a Party Line that will have film investors in China nervous.
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Image: US poster for Matt Damon in The Great Wall. 

The days are gone when film producers would tremble on the words of famous critics who could send $250m down the toilet with a quick burst of malice. Now audiences have much wider sources of opinion, from the net, from social media, and a torrent of trailers. That said, a film relying on mature audiences will wither under a drip of quibbles from their favourite sources. Some embittered Australian producers would say that David and Margaret have blood on their hands. 

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David Tiley was the Editor of Screenhub from 2005 until he became Content Lead for Film in 2021 with a special interest in policy. He is a writer in screen media with a long career in educational programs, documentary, and government funding, with a side order in script editing. He values curiosity, humour and objectivity in support of Australian visions and the art of storytelling.