The Netflix adaptation of “The 3 Body Problem,” based on the critically acclaimed Chinese science fiction trilogy by Liu Cixin, has sparked significant controversy among Chinese viewers, as reported by Li Yuan in The New York Times. The series, which begins with a graphic depiction of a struggle session during the Cultural Revolution resulting in the death of a physics professor, has faced criticism on Chinese social media for various reasons. These criticisms include its partial setting outside of China, the racial diversity of its cast, changes in character genders, and how Chinese elements are portrayed.
The backlash reflects the broader implications of years of censorship and indoctrination in China, as highlighted in the New York Times article. Many viewers express discomfort with the series’ true-to-life portrayal of political violence during the Cultural Revolution, a period that remains a sensitive topic in China. This discomfort is indicative of a larger hesitancy to confront or acknowledge painful historical realities.
Despite the international acclaim of Liu’s novels, the Netflix series has not been met with the same enthusiasm domestically in China. Instead, it has unveiled deep-seated issues regarding national pride, historical consciousness, and the interplay of politics and entertainment within Chinese society. This controversy underscores the complex dynamics between cultural expression, censorship, and collective memory in China, complicating the reception of cultural products that touch on contentious historical periods. The New York Times article suggests that these dynamics pose significant challenges for adaptations of popular works, especially those that attempt to engage with China’s controversial past.
