Chinese Indie Filmmaker Hit With Harsh “Cross-Provincial” Fine and Equipment Confiscation

Chinese Indie Filmmaker Hit With Harsh “Cross-Provincial” Fine and Equipment Confiscation

Despite troubling jurisdictional issues, the Urumqi Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau in Xinjiang has imposed a fine of 75,000 yuan (US$10,300) on Yunnan-based artist and independent filmmaker Guo Zhenming (郭珍明) for “illegal filmmaking” activities. The administrative punishment also included the confiscation of Guo’s hard drive, two cameras, and some sound and lighting equipment. The penalties are being criticized by some Chinese netizens and…