Chinese Film Starring Convicted Murderer Pulled After Controversy, Official Cites Violations
The Chinese film "Mom from Prison," starring a real-life female inmate convicted of killing her husband, has been suspended after sparking controversy for allegedly "whitewashing" a murderer. Despite winning an international award, the Shanghai Film Bureau announced on the 21st that the film's release would be halted due to "irregularities" in its filing and review process. Netizens had protested the film, arguing it portrayed the convict as an anti-domestic violence hero, a narrative not supported by the court's original verdict.
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- 📰 Published: May 21, 2026 at 19:03
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(CNA, by Chang Shu-ling, Beijing, 21st) The Chinese film "Mom from Prison," which features a real-life female prisoner portraying herself, has been embroiled in controversy for allegedly "whitewashing" a murderer, despite winning an award abroad. The Shanghai Film Bureau announced today that it has halted the film's release, citing violations in its filing and review process.
According to a report by ThePaper.cn, the Shanghai Film Bureau stated on the 21st that it had received complaints from the public regarding the film "Mom from Prison" and was taking the matter very seriously. The film, which was registered as a project in July 2021, was found to have irregularities in its application for project registration and review process after a preliminary investigation. The bureau has now stopped the film's screening and will conduct a serious investigation and handle the matter in accordance with the "Film Industry Promotion Law" and other relevant laws and regulations.
"Mom from Prison" is adapted from a real spousal homicide case in Shaanxi Province, telling the true story of its protagonist, Zhao Xiaohong (original name Zhao Xiaohong). In 2009, she was imprisoned after accidentally killing her abusive husband while resisting violence. She was sentenced to 15 years in prison for "intentional injury" and deprived of political rights for 5 years.
The film was originally scheduled for release on the 30th of this month but recently faced a large-scale boycott from mainland Chinese netizens. They pointed out that the court's ruling did not recognize that Zhao Xiaohong had suffered from domestic violence or acted in self-defense, and accused the filmmakers of "whitewashing" a murderer into an anti-domestic violence heroine. The fact that the protagonist participated in the filming while serving her sentence also raised questions.
In mainland China, both the filming and public screening of movies must go through an approval process. "Mom from Prison" contains scenes from a real prison, indicating it had apparent support from the judicial system. It is rumored that the film was initially approved under the guise of filming a "documentary on prison education and reform" but ultimately turned out to be a feature film. Last year, protagonist Zhao Xiaohong won the Silver Shell for Best Leading Performance at the San Sebastián International Film Festival in Spain for her role in the film.
According to a report by ThePaper.cn, the Shanghai Film Bureau stated on the 21st that it had received complaints from the public regarding the film "Mom from Prison" and was taking the matter very seriously. The film, which was registered as a project in July 2021, was found to have irregularities in its application for project registration and review process after a preliminary investigation. The bureau has now stopped the film's screening and will conduct a serious investigation and handle the matter in accordance with the "Film Industry Promotion Law" and other relevant laws and regulations.
"Mom from Prison" is adapted from a real spousal homicide case in Shaanxi Province, telling the true story of its protagonist, Zhao Xiaohong (original name Zhao Xiaohong). In 2009, she was imprisoned after accidentally killing her abusive husband while resisting violence. She was sentenced to 15 years in prison for "intentional injury" and deprived of political rights for 5 years.
The film was originally scheduled for release on the 30th of this month but recently faced a large-scale boycott from mainland Chinese netizens. They pointed out that the court's ruling did not recognize that Zhao Xiaohong had suffered from domestic violence or acted in self-defense, and accused the filmmakers of "whitewashing" a murderer into an anti-domestic violence heroine. The fact that the protagonist participated in the filming while serving her sentence also raised questions.
In mainland China, both the filming and public screening of movies must go through an approval process. "Mom from Prison" contains scenes from a real prison, indicating it had apparent support from the judicial system. It is rumored that the film was initially approved under the guise of filming a "documentary on prison education and reform" but ultimately turned out to be a feature film. Last year, protagonist Zhao Xiaohong won the Silver Shell for Best Leading Performance at the San Sebastián International Film Festival in Spain for her role in the film.
FAQ
電影「監獄來的媽媽」為何被停止上映？
主要有兩個原因：官方通報該片在備案立項及報審過程中存在違規行為；其次，該片由真實殺人犯親自演出，引發「洗白」殺人犯的巨大社會爭議與網友抵制。
這部電影的主角是誰？她有什麼特殊背景？
主角是趙簫泓（原名趙曉紅），她因在2009年殺害丈夫，被依「故意傷害罪」判刑15年。她以真實犯人的身份，親自出演這部改編自她經歷的電影。
「監獄來的媽媽」獲得過什麼國際肯定？
女主角趙簫泓憑藉在此片中的演出，獲得了西班牙聖塞瓦斯蒂安（San Sebastian）電影節的最佳主角銀貝殼獎。
網友抵制這部電影的主要論點是什麼？
網友指出，法院當年的判決並未認定趙曉紅的行為屬於反抗家暴或正當防衛，但電影卻將她塑造成反家暴女英雄，有美化殺人犯之嫌。此外，犯人在服刑期間參與電影拍攝也引發程序上的質疑。
中國電影上映需要經過什麼程序？此片可能鑽了什麼漏洞？
在中國，電影的拍攝和公映都必須通過官方審核。外界傳言，「監獄來的媽媽」最初是以「拍攝監獄教育改造紀錄片」的名義申請，規避了劇情片的嚴格審查，但最終卻以劇情片形式呈現。