Hollywood studio defends filming in Chinese city

A Hollywood studio has defended its decision to film part of a movie in a Chinese city where a blind activist is being held under house arrest. Rights activists have criticized Relativity Media for shooting part of the comedy “21 and Over” in Linyi, a city in eastern Shandong province where Chen Guangcheng’s village is located. Authorities have turned Chen’s village into a no-go zone. Relativity said Monday it has always been committed to supporting human rights and that it “would never knowingly do anything to undermine this commitment.” The company also says that it is proud of its growing business relationships with China and that it believes that expanding trade and business ties with Chinese counterparts can result in positive outcomes.