'Django' may get 2nd run mid-May

Quentin Tarantino's Western drama "Django Unchained," which was suspended on the day of its premiere on China's mainland last month, is expected to hit Chinese mainland cinemas again in mid-May.

The film was set for national release on April 11 but was stopped after only one minute of its first screenings for "technical reasons," the film's distributors said.

Film experts and media speculated that the real reason might be some scenes of nudity not considered acceptable for a wide audience in China since the country hasn't adopted a film ratings system.

Shots with nudity have been revised or cut from the movie, according to an industry source who declined to be named. He added that the original 165-minute film will be shortened to 163 minutes.

Shanghai cinemas, however, said yesterday that they haven't received any notice about the film's showing in May.

"Until now no one has told us when the suspension will stop," said Guo Ying, with Shanghai United Cinema Lines. "But I guess it will likely be released after May 12 as the schedule in early May has been assigned to other films. ... We're still waiting for the notice."

Li Tian, a film critic, notes that many of Tarantino's movies feature brutal sex, bloodshed and carnage. It is the first time one of his movies will be shown at Chinese mainland cinemas.

"However, without a mature film rating system on China's mainland, his movies are not appropriate for public screening, though he is indeed a great and talented filmmaker," he said.

The film received 13 nominations at the 85th Academy Awards and won Best Original Screenplay for Tarantino and Best Supporting Actor for Christoph Waltz.