Chinese Artist Sues Over 'Insulting' Panda

Says Dreamwork disrespected national icon
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 19, 2008 5:58 PM CDT
Chinese Artist Sues Over 'Insulting' Panda
Models displays the "Bandi Panda" creation by designer Zhao Bandi during the China Fashion Week in Beijing. Bandi is suing Dreamworks for insulting his favorite animal in "Kung Fu Panda."   (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Kung Fu Panda may not seem very controversial, but it sure offended Zhao Bandi, a Chinese performance artist who is renowned for using panda images in his work. Zhao is suing Dreamworks for the film’s “insulting” portrayal of China’s national icon, the Independent reports. “Designing the panda with green eyes is a conspiracy,” Zhao says. “A panda with green eyes has the feeling of evil.”

Zhao also finds it insulting that Po’s father is a duck. “In a few years' time, I'm worried some young Chinese people will think their ancestor is Donald Duck,” he says. But Zhao, who carries a stuffed panda wherever he goes, isn’t seeking monetary damages; instead, he’s demanding Dreamworks apologize, and open up their creative records to expose the alleged conspiracy. (More China stories.)

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