“Kundun” – The Scorsese Film that Shook US-China Relations

Martin Scorsese, the acclaimed director, has had his fair share of controversies, from the societal repercussions of “Taxi Driver” to the religious debate triggered by “The Last Temptation of Christ.” His comments on the Marvel Cinematic Universe also stirred the pot. Yet, it was his 1997 drama “Kundun,” a contemplative exploration of the Dalai Lama’s early life, that ignited the most significant uproar, causing a rift in US-China relations that took years to mend.

The 1990s marked a gradual opening of China’s borders to the West, yet understanding between the cultures remained elusive. This became evident when Hollywood released three films critical of China – “Kundun,” “Seven Years in Tibet,” and “Red Corner” – all in 1997.

Disney, the studio behind “Kundun,” faced backlash from the Chinese government even before the production wrapped up in Morocco. Despite Universal’s decision to pass on the film due to fears of hurting business interests, Disney proceeded, underestimating the film’s potential to cause an international incident.

The film, penned by Melissa Mathison, depicts a Hollywood favorite – the underdog standing up to an oppressive system. However, the system in question here was China, leading to an escalating controversy. China vehemently opposed the film, labelling it as an interference in its internal affairs.

Matters took a turn for the worse when China’s Ministry of Radio, Film and Television blacklisted Disney, Columbia TriStar, and MGM/United Artists for producing films that purportedly attacked China. Disney, now faced with the risk of losing access to one of the world’s largest audiences and a potential Disneyland in Shanghai, released the movie quietly on Christmas Day, which performed disappointingly at the box office.

The film’s release led to an abrupt halt in Disney’s business dealings in China. Disney CEO Michael Eisner even had to resort to hiring former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to restore relations and personally apologized to China’s Prime Minister Zhu Rongji. Eisner’s admission that “the good news is that nobody watched it” signalled China’s growing influence over Hollywood.

In retrospect, “Kundun” did gain four Oscar nominations but eventually became a minor chapter in Scorsese’s illustrious career. Scorsese admitted to the film’s lack of promotion but also acknowledged China’s enormous market potential. The saga of “Kundun” proved a harsh lesson in international politics and highlighted the undeniable power that global markets hold over Hollywood’s storytelling decisions. In the grand scheme of things, it underscored the reality that the system often overpowers the ‘little guy’ in the real world.

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