Mulan may finally be available to watch on Disney+ after months of delays, but calls to boycott the film are growing after the movie’s star, Liu Yifei, voiced support for Hong Kong police at the height of the protest movement in the region last year.
Last August, Yifei posted a message on the Chinese social media website Weibo, which translated to “I also support Hong Kong police. You can beat me up now.” The post also included the following in English: “What a shame for Hong Kong.”
Another member of Mulan‘s cast, Donnie Yen, also sparked controversy when he posted in July to mark “the celebration day for Hong Kong [returning] to motherland China”.
Protesters brave heavy rain as they march against the 2019 Hong Kong extradition bill on Sunday, August 18, 2019. Flickr @Studio Incendo
While the movie’s star has expressed support for police attempting to snuff out the protests, the character she plays has become something of a symbol of democracy in Hong Kong. Prominent activist Agnes Chow, who was arrested in August 2019 by Hong Kong police, has been described as “the real Mulan” for her bravery and strength in the face of adversity.
China’s relationship with the western world has been fraught in recent years, as American companies try to navigate the enormous market of customers while also trying to avoid controversy based on the country’s unacceptable human rights records.
Mulan is available on Disney+ today for $30 in addition to your monthly subscription cost. It will be available for all Disney+ subscribers with no additional cost on December 4th.
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