Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of Mulan is facing widespread backlash after the starring actress voiced support for Hong Kong city police’s use of force against the pro-democracy protestors.
“I support the Hong Kong police. You can all attack me now. What a shame for Hong Kong,” Chinese-born Crystal Liu Yifei, the lead actress of Mulan’s live-action remake, posted on Weibo, China’s Twitter-like social media platform.
Disney’s Mulan actress, Liu Yifei, supports police brutality and oppression in Hong Kong.
Liu is a naturalized American citizen. it must be nice. meanwhile she pisses on people fighting for democracy.
retweet please. HK doesn’t get enough support. #BoycottMulan @Disney pic.twitter.com/FpECIdutH2
— sean norton ???? (@sdnorton) August 15, 2019
Liu immediately faced backlash across social media, with #BoycottMulan becoming a trending topic around the world with over 70,000 tweets posted by the time of writing.
#BoycottMulan even became a Twitter moment.
Protesters are calling for a boycott against the live-action Mulan after film’s lead actor Liu Yifei voiced her support for Hong Kong police. #BoycottMulan https://t.co/1aV4qftIt3
— Twitter Moments (@TwitterMoments) August 16, 2019
People took to social to call out Liu’s support for police brutality as a naturalized American citizen.
One person wrote; Liu is a naturalized American citizen. It must be nice. Meanwhile, she pisses on people fighting for democracy.”
“She lives in America, her family is in America, she’s a citizen who enjoys all the protection and privileges of any American. That includes freedom of speech. If she wanted to, she could be a powerful voice for justice, but instead, she supports this brutality,” another person wrote on Twitter, adding the hashtag #boycottMulan.
She lives in America, her family is in America, she’s a citizen who enjoys all the protection and privileges of any American. That includes freedom of speech. If she wanted to, she could be a powerful voice for justice but instead, she supports this brutality #boycottMulan
— Ally (@Ally50225919) August 16, 2019
Others incorporated gifs from the original Disney animated Mulan in their tweets.
One person wrote, “Mulan actress basically saying ‘I support the Hong Kong police (brutality), bite me’ let’s do so via #boycottMulan,” adding a gif of the animated dragon Mushu saying “Dishonor!”
Mulan actress basically saying “I support the Hong Kong police (brutality), bite me” let’s do so via #BoycottMulan https://t.co/rrU6JHcc2s pic.twitter.com/9TGdoZ987C
— Jung Freudian (@Mr_Laughter) August 15, 2019
“She is living in a country with freedom of speech, yet she supports communism and brutality of police..#BoycottMulan,” another person shared on Twitter.
She is living in a country with freedom of speech, yet she supports communism and brutality of police.. #BoycottMulan @Disney pic.twitter.com/Krr9ID1bGU
— ????????BtoB ???? SHINee (@theodorahkk) August 15, 2019
However, some people are still hoping for the live-action remake, which is set to release in 2020.
“As her action goes against Disney’s mission to spread hope and positivity, I sincerely hope that Disney will reconsider the casting choice and give the world the Mulan we deserve. #BoycottMulan,” one person wrote.
As her action goes against Disney’s mission to spread hope and positivity, I sincerely hope that Disney will reconsider the casting choice and give the world the Mulan we deserve. #BoycottMulan pic.twitter.com/gPdWQfbFkB
— 지훈이 귀엽다 (@jijijibaby0529) August 16, 2019
Liu’s comments come in response to the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong that began two months ago in opposition to an extradition bill that would allow people to be transferred to mainland China for trial. Since then, the protests have swelled into broader calls for democracy and an investigation into police brutality.
Recent escalations in violence during protests include police firing tear gas inside a subway station, using batons, pepper spray, and shooting rubber bullets at protestors at close range. The actions of the police have sparked widespread condemnation by Western officials and international bodies.
Epoch Times reporter Eva Fu contributed to this article.
From The Epoch Times
