It's not the first time Chinese classic Journey to the West has made it to the movies. However, a recent Japanese film company's shoot in several Chinese cities has sparked consternation among Chinese people and especially netizens.

Around 100 movies and TV dramas based on the story have been made in Japan. However, the controversy this time focuses on the significant changes in the main content of Journey to the West and the parody of the "Monkey King" Sun Wukong.

"Classical novels can be revised but there's cut off point," netizen. Most Chinese people can't accept that the Monk Xuanzang will be played by a female. And Sun Wukong will wear a mini-skirt in the movie and is played by "the worst soap series actor in Japan."

As partner of the Japanese movie company CineBazarInc, Shanghai Film Group Corporation said the film will be okay. "In fact there are no such outrageous things in the movie. We've read some text materials about it. I think the most unacceptable thing is the master monk played by a woman."

An official told Shanghai-based Youth Daily, "Besides we only provide technical support. The content of the movie was reviewed and approved by the national film bureau. That's to say that the content is okay. Otherwise it won't be allowed to be shot in China."
 
Wei Yingjie, a newspaper editor, suggested people should encourage Japanese filmmakers to shoot in China. "As a classical piece, Journey to the West won't lose its 'cultural property' just because a second party joins in. Mulan became a Disney cartoon and Japan's geisha culture caught on in Hollywood as well."　

Wang Tianyun, the vice president of Shanghai Film Group, admitted there are spoofs in the script. Wang said, "The Japanese version is different from the one we used to know. Their movie is relatively romantic and free with parodies and fashion factors added. Maybe it's because of the culture gap. But now is a different era and they've to give fresh things to attract a young audience." 

The film bureau of China's State Administration of Film Radio and Television has granted the Japanese crew a permit to shoot in various locations on the Chinese mainland. This includes the provinces of Ningxia, Hunan, Gansu, Anhui, Guangxi and Inner Mongolia. The crew entered China a month ago.

This movie will premiere in Japan next July. But the Shanghai Film Group admitted it's unlikely to be screened in China.

According to the US entertainment publication Variety in late October, it says that Relativity Media will invest in a Journey to the West movie featuring Jackie Chan and Jet Li next year.

Yang Jie, the director and screenwriter of China's most popular TV series Journey to the West in the 1980's doesn't expect that the Japanese version will be true to the original Chinese novel.

"But we can't do anything about it," Yang said.  "It's their adaptation. But I wonder why we don't treat our very own classics very seriously! There are too many gold-diggers and I'm very afraid that our next generation cannot fully understand the true meaning of  Journey to the West when no one tries to tell a good story. And the pathetic situation is those who wholeheartedly want to make a classic out of it have no money and those who have money don't treat it seriously. What a waste!"

(China.org.cn by Zhang Rui November 17, 2006)