Actress Xing Jun, who starred in "A Kindness, Life-time Redemption", publicly shared behind-the-scenes footage of a scene involving an infant in water, according to Jf Daily. Xing Jun revealed that the crew filmed under artificial rain, and the child actor cried "heart-wrenchingly," yet the production team used no alternative methods to save time.
She stated that the most reasonable approach in such a situation would have been to use a baby doll or artificial intelligence (AI) instead of a real infant. The child actor's compensation was 800 yuan (approximately 3 million dong).
Some viewers criticized Xing Jun for not protecting the child. Through her management company, the actress explained that having no authority, she could only cooperate to complete the scene quickly so the baby could leave. She and the opposing actress were both anxious and angry, urging the crew to speed up the process.
The incident sparked outrage among millions, and according to Xinhua, the film is no longer available on video platforms. Lawyer Zhang Jian in Beijing suggested that the production company could face civil, administrative, and even criminal liability for exposing the child to water for an extended duration. This incident also highlighted weaknesses in protecting child actors within the online content production industry.
In mid-January, the series "Ep ca chep lay Diem Vuong song, phu thua tuong tieu tan phuoc loc" was also removed due to its content depicting a 7-year-old girl marrying and giving birth. A lawyer named Cai from a Shanghai law firm stated that the film's plot encouraged early romantic relationships, violating regulations concerning programs involving minors.
Earlier this year, the National Radio and Television Administration of China issued "Guidelines for the Management of Short Film Production Involving Children". These guidelines include provisions to protect the safety and mental health of child actors, prohibit excessive filming schedules, and forbid children from taking on roles that exceed their physical and mental capabilities.
According to Jf Daily, these regulations establish boundaries to protect children's rights in the video production industry. However, effective enforcement requires strict oversight from multiple parties, including producers, broadcasting platforms, and parents.
The short film market in China has boomed, with its size reaching 50.5 billion yuan (6.9 billion USD) in 2024, an increase of nearly 35% compared to 2023. Projections indicate that by 2027, the market will exceed 100 billion yuan (13.7 billion USD).
Registered businesses are experiencing strong growth, with over 36% of users watching short films daily. As of June 2024, the number of short video accounts in China reached 570 million.
Nhu Anh (according to Jf Daily)
