Placing “孝”(filial piety, or, a (twisted) devotion to family) as the central theme is really problematic with this version of Mulan. The screenplay is written by western people who take 孝 at face value 1/ https://twitter.com/tony_zy/status/1302738277196234754

Simply put, filial piety—even in today's context and in China—does not translate as "a devotion to family". It has a strong sentiment of blind obedience to family elders. Reforming and abolishing the archiac concept of "孝" have been a key theme in China's modernization 2/

What's 孝? The most typical example is "the 24 role models of filial piety". One of them is Guo Ju, who literally buried his son so there will be more food for his mother. That's not really "devotion to family", but that's a part of 孝 3/

Mulan’s motive is in direct contradiction to the traditional notion of 孝. Mulan has never been hailed as a heroin of 孝. I personally believe Mulan in today’s context can teach us a lesson about how to love your family without old filial piety 4/

More importantly, the ugly, archaic, reactionary notion of 孝—the one that forced Mulan to be matched and be a good woman—is resurfacing in China. Girls are sent to summer camps and asked to wash parents’ feet to showcase their 孝 5/

My major issue with Mulan: A movie that’s based on a Chinese folklore, features an Asian cast, and banks on milking the Chinese market, completely disregarded what “孝” is really perceived in China (it’s barely a good word anymore!). 6/

BBC's coverage on this recent rise of "female virtual" lessons in China. "Career women don't end well." "Women must always obey the orders of their fathers, husbands and sons."—These courses share the same moral cornerstone with the new Mulan: 孝 7/ https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-china-blog-42305137

Even weeks before the movie premiered, New Mulan’s obsession with filial piety has already received considerable backlash in China. This is one of my favorite tweets by the inimitable @realdengai 8/

“It’s like shit served on an exotic golden platter for you to chew on” 9/

I doubt this twisted devotion to family will rub off on American or European audiences. They might not feel a thing (and some might get 孝 as new tattoos). But I was really uncomfortable seeing a feminist movie promoting female obedience in its hometown 10/

Hey Disney. Here’s a BOLD idea: Can we please try letting Chinese tell Chinese stories? /END

Btw, I love Mulan's relationship with her family in the original folklore. It's deep yet subtle. Mulan didn't compromised herself, and she did NOT apologize 旦辞爷娘去，暮至黄河边。不闻爷娘唤女声，但闻黄河流水鸣溅溅。旦辞黄河去，暮宿黑山头。不闻爷娘唤女声，但闻燕山胡骑鸣啾啾。

*didn't compromise