China film about woman whose killing of husband framed as result of domestic violence banned

Actress who plays herself in film portrays victim of violence but actual court verdict in case made no mention of husband abusing her

A feminist film which won an award at an international film festival last year has been ordered to withdraw its coming release for violating the law in China.

The film Her Heart Beats in Its Cage was scheduled to be screened in mainland cinemas on May 30.

But on May 21, Shanghai Film Bureau announced the release should be stopped because the film had breached the law when applying for its production and for its public release.

The authority said it had recently launched an investigation after receiving a large number of tip-offs from the public about the film.

The production team applied to the Shanghai authority in July 2021 for approval to shoot the film.