A Chinese action film executive-produced by Jackie Chan has triggered outrage after shooting scenes in al-Hajar al-Aswad, a Syrian town destroyed in the civil war.
To exploit that for money – for a movie lauding #China & involving #Syria’s regime facilitation is appallingly bad taste.”
In 2012, early in the Syrian civil war, the area was a stronghold for anti-government rebels the Free Syrian Army; in 2015, however, the surrounding area was largely taken over by Islamic State.
Photographs from the film’s set show Chinese crew and actors working among shattered and derelict buildings, a tank, and local extras wearing Yemeni-style clothing.