BBC News
20 January 2010

China has pulled the 2D version of Avatar from cinemas amid claims the plot mirrors forced land evictions in the country.   Authorities insist the decision was a commercial one, saying the 3D version made up two-thirds of ticket revenues.

Critics claim the film’s plot parallels the removal of millions of residents to make way for property developers.
The government has also denied reports that a decision was made to reduce competition for home-grown films.
They include a state-backed biopic of philosopher Confucius, starring Chow Yun-fat, which is due out next week.
But Zhang Hongsen, of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, told Chinese state media: “As the box office receipts for its 2D version are not very good, it’s normal for this version of the film to be taken off.”     more …